Pharmacy Technician Career – Great Opportunity
A pharmacy technician helps licensed pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients. Technicians usually perform routine tasks to help prepare prescribed medication for patients, such as counting tablets and labeling bottles. Technicians refer any questions regarding prescriptions, drug information or health matters to a pharmacist.
Certified technicians must be recertified every 2 years. Technicians must complete 20 contact hours of pharmacy-related topics within the 2-year certification period to become eligible for recertification. Contact hours are awarded for on-the-job training, attending lectures, and pharmacy technician school coursework. At least 1 contact hour must be in pharmacy law. Contact hours can be earned from several different sources, including pharmacy associations, pharmacy schools and pharmacy technician training programs. Up to 10 contact hours can be earned when the technician is employed under the direct supervision and instruction of a pharmacist.
Successful pharmacy technicians are observant, responsible, organized, alert and dedicated. They should also be willing and able to take directions. They must be precise; details are sometimes a matter of life and death. They should be able to work independently without constant supervision from a certified pharmacist, although a pharmacist checks and approves their work. Individuals interested in becoming pharmacy technicians cannot have prior records of drug or substance abuse.
Solid communication and interpersonal skills are extremely important because pharmacy technicians interact daily with other health care professionals, coworkers and of course patients. Another important personality trait is teamwork because pharmacy technicians are required to work closely with other technicians, aides and pharmacists.
Very good job opportunities are expected for both full and part time work, especially for pharmacy technicians with experience or formal training. The need to replace workers who retire or move to other occupations will result in a high demand from retail pharmacies and other employers.