Health Care Programs Options |
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By JJ Singh
jj.singh@hqpublications.com
Technician Programs Coulmnist
A Pharmacy is more than just a guy in a white lab coat standing behind a really tall counter. There are several people critical to the operation of getting medication safely and accurately to a patient. Pharmacy technician jobs allow you to work hand in hand with a pharmacist to best help ailing patients.
Where Do Pharmacy Technicians Work?
As a pharmacy technician, you will work in a pharmacy, as an assistant to the pharmacist. Your job will either be in retail or in a hospital, with different responsibilities for each:
Retail
- Receive prescription orders
- Verify the accuracy of the requests
- Count, pour, and weigh medication
- Label containers
- Keep patient profiles
Hospitals or Nursing Homes
- Read patients' charts
- Prepare and deliver medication
- Prepare doses for 24 hour periods
What's the Outlook for Pharmacy Technician Jobs?
The pharmacy technician field is growing, with increased demand for certified technicians. Not only are there more opportunities in the field, but the pay also competitive.
According to the National Pharmacy Technician Association, the range in pharmacy technician salary is between $7.00 and $20.00 per hour. On average, certified technicians earn more than those with only on-the-job training.
Pharmacy Technician School
Most employers prefer pharmacy technicians to have formal training, along with state certification. In a pharmacy technician school, you will not only learn the specifics of medication, but you also have the opportunity to learn pharmaceutical record keeping, medical and pharmacy technology, pharmaceutical calculations, and appropriate techniques.
Pharmacy technician schools blend classroom work with laboratory work to give you a sound foundation in theoretical and practical knowledge. Additionally, one of these training programs will give you the skills you need to become a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT) in your state.
Your first step in getting certified is to find the right program for you - one that fits your needs and allows you to get hands-on experience in your area. Once you've been certified, you'll be well on your way to be a part of this growing field.
About the Author
JJ Singh is a recently returned Peace Corps Volunteer in South America where he encountered and wrote about innumerable health issues. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia where he earned a bachelor's degree in Economics.
Sources
- http://www.pharmacytechnician.org
- http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos252.htm
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