Interested in working in healthcare? Then a career as a pharmacy technician might be right for you. Many people are exploring this field and all of the benefits of training in a program like the Pharmacy Technician program at FVI. Let’s look at our top five reasons to become a pharmacy tech and discover more about this lucrative career.
1. Train In Less Than A Year
One of the top benefits of starting a career as a pharmacy tech is that you can train for this job in less than a year. In fact, in the Pharmacy Technician program at FVI, you’ll train in just nine months! After that, you can take our 40-hour certification prep course so you’re prepared to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam. Once you pass, it’s off to work. A well-respected pharmacy technician school will give you the tools to not only pass your courses the first time, but to also find a job after graduation. Consider a pharm tech certification if you want to make more and advance up the ladder!
2. Find New Opportunities
Think about how many stores have their own pharmacies nowadays. From grocery stores and drugstores to hospitals, and clinics, pharmacies are everywhere, and as a pharmacy tech, you’ll have your pick of pharmacy technician jobs in Florida. Thanks to the increased demand for pharmacy technicians and the consistent need for the distribution of life saving medication, there are jobs in the field available across the U.S. The same big box stores mentioned above can be found in every state which makes moving easy for pharm techs.
3. Use Your Skills
There are many careers where you complete your training and find that many of the skills you’ve learned aren’t relevant to your new job. When you complete your education at FVI and find a pharmacy tech position, you’ll rely on your training each and every day. You’ll also learn new skills on the job that can help you earn promotions and recognition from your supervisors at any pharmacy in Miami.
4. Make A Good Living
One of the other big benefits of becoming a pharmacy tech is that it’s a lucrative career. The median salary is over $30,000 per year and the job field is expected to grow faster than other industries over the next five years. There are also opportunities for you to advance in this career if you put in the effort.
5. Help People
When you work as a pharmacy technician, you’ll spend your days filling prescriptions, checking labels, and helping customers get the medication they need. In this career, you’ll provide answers and assistance to people throughout your community and make a real difference in the lives of your customers. Sure, it may sound a little cliché, but that doesn’t mean it’s not the truth. It may not be the reason you become a pharmacy technician, but the simple fact is that you are making a difference. You are contributing to the mission of helping the sick and that’s something to be proud of; something to remember every day!
6. Flexible Schedules
You can continue your education or take care of family or kids based on your schedule. Unlike a standard 9 – 5 office job, pharmacy technicians benefit from working somewhere with a flexible schedule. You can work night shifts if you have other priorities during the day. This is one of the great reasons to become a pharmacy technician but also a great reason to consider the medical field in general. Nurses often have flexible schedules as well.
7. Work in a Safe & Familiar Environment
Pharmacies are nothing if not safe and familiar. If you are risk averse and prefer structure, numbers and details, then you really should become a pharmacy technician!
8. Trades Are in Demand
Finding a job as a pharmacy technician can be easy for first timers. Consider that you can get hired by a chain store pharmacy that you will find across the U.S. including places like Walgreen, CVS, Target, and Walmart. But that’s just a stepping stone on a long career once you become a pharmacy technician.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for pharm techs is over $30,000 and high earners can expect to bring home $47,000.1 The BLS also predicts “11.8 percent employment growth for pharmacy technicians between 2016 and 2026. In that period, an estimated 47,600 jobs should open up.” 2
9. More Advancement Opportunities
You can use your time as a pharmacy technician to consider other opportunities in the medical field. However, there are lots of opportunities as a pharmacy technician including:
- Chain pharmacy – Walgreens, CVS, Target, and Walmart.
- Independent pharmacy – your local pharmacists needs just as much assistance as the chain stores!
- Hospital pharmacy – work at a hospital ordering and distributing medicine.
- Managed care – work directly with health insurance providers.
- Nuclear pharmacy – handle and administer radioactive medications.
- Pharma industry – create the standard operating procedures for your pharma company.
- Government agency – work with local, state, and federal agencies that require the knowledge and expertise of a pharm tech.
And remember, you can use this to eventually become a pharmacist.
Now that you know the top five reasons to become a pharmacy technician, it’s up to you to take the next step. Contact FVI today to learn how you can start our Florida Pharmacy Technician training program and get on the path to a new, fulfilling career in healthcare. FVI’s pharm tech school in Miami, FL can be completed in just 9 months!
