Demand for pharmacy technician jobs is expected to grow by 4% between 2020 and 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Professionals in this growing career field play a vital role in keeping pharmacies running smoothly. In this guide, we’ll explore what pharmacy technicians do and how to become one.
What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?
A pharmacy technician is responsible for filling prescriptions, dispensing medication on the order of a physician, tracking inventory, processing claims, and ensuring medications are properly packaged. They don’t do clinical or diagnostic work. Rather, they dispense and manage medication under the supervision of physicians.
This makes the role a good option for individuals who would like to be involved with health care, but who don’t want to be in a clinical role. Pharmacy technicians still get to interact with patients, and the work they do ensuring prescriptions are filled accurately and the pharmacy’s inventory is properly managed is invaluable.
Because it’s critical that prescriptions are filled correctly, pharmacy technicians must undergo a course of specialized training before they can begin work in pharmacies or medical facilities.
What is Pharmacy Technician School Like?
If you decide to pursue training as a pharmacy technician at FVI School of Nursing and Technology, you’ll engage in a program of study including both instructor-led online classes and on-campus training to help you prepare for the Florida Board of Pharmacy certification. We provide 40 hours of training to help students get ready for the exam, giving them the maximum chance of success.
The training includes learning about different drugs and their brand/generic names, learning how to compound and mix drugs, and how to calculate dosages and solution strengths. In addition to these practical skills, students also learn about the ethics and best practices that govern the pharmaceuticals industry and gain familiarity with a variety of tasks associated with clinical distribution systems.
After completing pharmacy technician school and passing the board certification exam, a student will be prepared to perform pharmacy technician work in hospitals, pharmacies and other clinical settings, as well as work in academic settings where drugs are handled.
What is the Job Market Like for Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy technician jobs are very much in demand, across the whole of the United States. The average salary of a pharmacy technician is just over $37,000 per year, according to the BLS, although salaries will vary depending on the state in which you work and the type of facility you work in. Some pharmacists may work in nursing homes or other specialist facilities, serving a small number of patients. Others may work in hospitals or pharmacies where they process a far greater number of prescriptions each day.
At the FVI School of Nursing and Technology, we offer a respected pharmacy technician program to help people get started on the road to an exciting and rewarding career as a pharmacy technician. If you’d like to take on a valuable role in the world of healthcare, enroll in the FVI pharmacy tech program today.
