With our aging population, there are some industries that are just exploding and certainly the health care field is one of them. The exciting thing about entering into the medical industry is just the vast array of opportunities that open up for people which can really work into a number of different skill sets and can almost something for everyone.
Within the medical field, the pharmaceutical industry is seeing unprecedented growth. As a pharmacy technician, you can play a key role in helping to support people in regaining their health and it can lead to a very rewarding and challenging career.
A pharmacy technician is basically responsible for working with a licensed pharmacist. You can be asked to answer the phone, and emails, greet all the patients, collect all their personal health information, record it onto the computer and into their files – including medical history, name, address, etc. You can be the one who enters all the prescription information into the computer, count and label the prescriptions and manage all the inventory.
So depending on where you end up finding a job, you could be working shifts, daytimes, weekends, part time or full time. You could be asked to take in all the order, review the inventory and order all the products.
During your training through a pharmacy technician school, you will have been prepared to know all the medical terminologies, names of all the drugs, how to compound creams and liquid medications, other pharmaceutical terminologies, and even pharmacy law.
So although as a pharmacy technician you cannot provide advice to patients, you still will be many times, the face of the pharmacy so being pleasant and compassionate can go a long way to being successful in this role.
You will be helping the pharmacists in a lot of the more administrative tasks but you are not responsible for any final decision making or checking on the final preparation of the prescription before it is handed out to the patient.
So regarding the pharmacy technician salary, there are a few variables which will have a definite affect on your paycheck. Of course it depends on whether you are able to find a full time job, or if you are only able to start off part time. Shift work can pay additional premiums sometimes, but each employer is different.
Certainly obtaining the right training and the certification can make a good case for extra money. And depending on where you find work, the range of your salary can fluctuate. Hospital technicians tend to make more, with the higher pharmacy tech wages going to those that know how to prepare IV medications and/or work with chemotherapy drugs.
So the more knowledge you have and the more skills you acquire, the more in demand you will become.
Smaller independent drug stores may offer a slightly lower pay, but there may be other benefits of flexibility that will not be offered at a larger retail box store outlet. Some of the bigger retail stores are known for paying a much lower wage, but they might be able to offer benefits or other perks – so you need to find out all the small print.
The pharmacy technician salary can also vary depending on which state you live in. But the national average is between $9.00 and $15.00 per hour. Certified pharmacy technicians generally will have the opportunity to earn more than non-certified individuals.