If you\’re in the process of changing careers, the pharmacy technician profession is one that you might want to look at. Health care is the largest industry in the U.S., and there are no shortage for jobs, even in today\’s depressed economy. In fact, health care as a whole is immune to economic downturns, so as a certified pharmacy technician, you don\’t have to worry about a cyclical economic climate, which is a normal part of most industries.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the pharmacy tech career is expected to be one of the most explosive careers, growing a whopping 31% in the decade from 2008 – 2018. This puts the field way ahead of the average job sector in terms of growth. Most of this growth can be attributed to a largely aging overall population, including the baby boomer generation. As the BLS site itself states:

\”The increased number of middle-aged and elderly people-who use more prescription drugs than younger people-will spur demand for pharmacy workers throughout the projection period. In addition, as scientific advances lead to new drugs, and as more people obtain prescription drug coverage, pharmacy workers will be needed in growing numbers\”.

What is a pharmacy technician?

Pharmacy technicians perform duties pharmacists do, except for patient care and double checking prescriptions before patients take them home. Core duties include cashiering, counting tablets and pills, labeling bottles, preparing prescription medications, verifying prescriptions, maintaining patient records, and a host of other administrative activities the pharmacist doesn\’t have time to do.

What is required?

Many states in fact don\’t require any formal training, so a high school diploma and job experience are actually enough to land a job in some areas. However, more and more states are now requiring techs to be certified by taking classes at accredited community colleges, technical colleges, vocational schools, and online schooling programs. Usually the certification requires 15 months of study and experiential training, along with passage of the pharmacy technician exam provided by the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.

Required skills

Here are some essential skills that pharmacy techs should possess:

– Detail oriented: Since this job requires math and accurate counting of pills, being detail oriented is a great characteristic to have.

– Customer oriented attitude: Since this position requires a bit of interaction with customers taking, receiving and filling orders, it\’s beneficial to have a customer service oriented and helpful demeanor.

– Computer skills: Pharmacy techs require computer skills for enter patients, administrative office tasks, label printing, and a host of other duties required on a daily basis.

– Team Player: Being able to work with other pharmacy techs, aides, and of course the pharmacist is essential, so being a team player is another quality to develop if you\’re the type that likes to work in an isolated environment.

Hopefully this article has shed some light on the tremendous advantage working in the health care field offers, and particularly as a pharmacy technician. Careers in pharmacy have unlimited upside potential since the industry is not affected by economic downturns.

Author Bio: If being a pharmacy technician sounds like a position that would suit you, be sure to check out the pharmacy technician certification requirements and take the first step toward a rewarding new career!

Category: Career
Keywords: pharmacy technician, pharmacy tech, pharmacy technician training, pharmacy technician certification