The field of pharmacy is growing, and with it, there is increased employment for pharmacy technicians. If you have wanted to work in the medical industry, but you were not sure where to start, you could try the growing field of pharmacy technicians. Learn more about this career option below.
Why is Employment of Pharmacy Technicians Growing?
Many jobs and careers in the medical field are continuing to grow as we expand our medical technology and knowledge. With newer and better medications, the field of pharmacy is also growing.
According to BLS.gov, from 2016 to 2026, employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow 12 percent. That growth rate is faster than average job growth, which means it is a field that will have increased job opportunities.
Why is employment growing for pharmacy technicians? There are a few different reasons that this job option has a growing need. First, our population is aging, and the older population generally needs more prescription drugs. There have also been higher rates of certain chronic diseases and conditions that need to be treated by prescription medication. We are also expanding our knowledge of disease and medical care, so we are creating new medications to help treat disease. Another reason that demand for pharmacy technicians is growing is that pharmacists themselves are taking on more patient care, which means they need more help and assistance from pharmacy technicians.
With the growth of the pharmacy industry and the increased need for pharmacy technicians, it could be a good idea for you to go to a pharmacy technician school. This schooling is a short program, but it could lead to a great job opportunity.
Taking Advantage of Job Opportunities as a Pharmacy Tech
As we discussed above, the pharmacy field is growing, and employment for pharmacy technicians is growing. There will be an increased demand for people to work in this field, which may make it easier to get a job. Also, you can become a pharmacy tech after a short pharmacy tech schooling, so it could be a good option. Check out some of the employment opportunities for the growing field of pharmacy below.
When you picture a pharmacy in your head, you are probably thinking of a retail pharmacy where you have gone to pick up medications for yourself or your loved ones. However, that is not the only type of pharmacy, and that is not the only place you can be employed as a pharmacy technician. Learn more about the different types of pharmacies and jobs available for pharmacy technicians. 
- Retail Pharmacy – A retail pharmacy is the type that most people are familiar with. A retail pharmacy sees a lot of customers every day and prepares medications for those customers. In a retail pharmacy, a pharmacy tech will have a heavy customer service focus. Their job will involve getting out orders and handling customer questions quickly and efficiently. Working in a retail pharmacy can be a very fast-paced environment, but it can also can have slow times during the day.
- Hospital Pharmacy – Another place you could work as a pharmacy tech is at a hospital pharmacy. This is slightly different than a retail pharmacy because it involves getting medications for patients around the clock. This type of work is also very time-sensitive because a hospital patient may need medication immediately. At a hospital pharmacy, you will be involved in medication preparation as well as medication delivery. You could be providing medication that is being used in the operating room, the emergency room, or somewhere else in the hospital.
- Compound Pharmacy – A compound pharmacy is different than both of the pharmacies discussed above. This type of pharmacy prepares medications that are not generally available at a retail pharmacy. These medications are handmade and more specialized. If you work at a compound pharmacy as a pharmacy tech, you will not worry as much about customer service skills. Instead, you will focus on skills related specifically to pharmacy calculations and the science of different medications.
As you can see, there are many different ways to take advantage of the growing field of pharmacy by working as a pharmacy technician. There are many job options for pharmacy techs, and it is not all in retail pharmacy.
If you are interested in the growing field of pharmacy and the growing demand for pharmacy technicians, you should look into a pharmacy technician school. FVI School of Nursing and Technology offers a pharmacy tech program that can teach you the basics of pharmacology, pharmacy calculations, customer service in pharmacy, and more. Visit our website to learn more about our pharmacy tech program.
For more information about graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website:
https://fvi.edu/consumer-information/
