Take a Chill Pill |
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September 26, 2005
By Austin Brentley
austin.brentley@techinician-programs.com
Technical Programs Columnist
Comic Jerry Seinfeld has a hilarious routine in which he pokes fun at pharmacists. "You must stand 2 feet below me while I move all the pills from this big bottle into this little bottle." While it's all fun and good to laugh at pharmacists, they provide an extremely valuable service. And pharmacy technicians (assistants) hold jobs that are no less important. Because these two groups are so well-trained, we can all enjoy a certain degree of security and safety whenever we take our medicine.
What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?
Of course, at this point, you might be asking yourself, if the pharmacist transfers pills, then what does the pharmacy technician do? The answer is simple; she also transfers pills from bottle to bottle. But if you have ever taken a course in pharmaceuticals, you know that the procedure is not that simple. Certain medications are not to be taken simultaneously. Certain doses are not healthy for some individuals. Some drugs must be closely monitored. Despite Seinfeld's lighthearted approach, pharmacy technicians have a very difficult job.
Becoming a Pharmacy Technician
The Department of Labor suggests that many pharmacy technicians receive on-the-job training. However it is also quick to point out that extensive course work and formal training will vastly improve your chances of employment. It also points out that pharmacy technician jobs will grow more quickly than the national average for all other occupations. This is not all surprising when you consider where the pharmaceutical industry will be in the years to come.
Pharmaceuticals of Tomorrow
If you follow the headlines, you of course know that the pharmaceutical industry is booming. Scientists, doctors, pharmacists (and even some pharmacy technicians) have done an excellent job of mapping out the human genome. Consequently, they can create all kinds of medicines and drugs that battle a wide variety of diseases. Of course, mistakes are made from time to time (ex: Vioxx), but overall, the medication we receive is beneficial and "relatively" safe.
About the Author
A freelance writer and researcher, Austin Brentley is an English teacher currently living and working in Yamaguchi, Japan. His previous experience includes working for a lobbying firm in his native Washington, DC and working for various record and television studios in New York. Austin holds a B.A. in history.
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