PharmTech
Pharmacy Technician
Career Description:
- Help pharmacists provide drugs and other healthcare products to patients; duties vary by state
- Review prescriptions, count, pour, measure or mix medications, select containers and prepare/attach labels, make up intravenous (IV) packs and nutritional solutions for patients
- All medications are checked by registered pharmacist before given to patient
- May create and maintain patient files (often on a computer)
- Maintain inventory of medications and supplies and stock incoming supplies; clean and maintain pharmacy equipment
- In hospitals, read patient charts and prepare and deliver medications to patients
- In retail settings, price and file prescription and fill out insurance claim forms
- May work with insurance companies to obtain billing and refilling approval
Work Environment:
- Retail drug stores, grocery store pharmacies, department store pharmacies
- Hospitals
- Other healthcare settings such as nursing homes, outpatient clinics, etc.
Working Conditions:
- Pharmacy Technicians are on their feet much of the time; may include a great deal of walking to deliver medications throughout large healthcare facilities
- Work in teams
- Work the same hours as pharmacists; often includes nights, weekends, holidays
- Requires attention to detail, strong administrative skills an good people skills
Job Outlook:
- More than 258,000 pharmacy technicians in the U.S.; approximately 3,270 pharmacy technicians work in Massachusetts
- 107,000 open pharmacy technician job openings are predicted nationally between 2004-2014 (new and replacement positions); 29% growth rate; one half to two thirds of pharmacy technicians work in retail pharmacies
- 90 expected job openings predicted annually in Massachusetts; growth expected to be slower than average through 2012
Career Advancement:
- Advancement is limited, but some technicians enroll in pharmacy school an become pharmacists
- May work for a managed care company (requires certification)
- May work in the pharmaceutical industry
- With increased education and experience, can gain leadership or teaching positions
Earnings:
- Wages vary with level of education, certification, work setting and shifts worked
- In Massachusetts, salary range is $11.15-$18.15 per hour, or $23,192-$37,752 annually
Salary information is based on data extracted from the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development Career Information System, the Massachusetts Hospital Association “Pulse” website, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wages vary by employer, geographical location, experience and level of education. Salaries in the Boston area are generally higher than stated Massachusetts and National averages.
Education/Training Required:
- On-the-job or formal training programs exist; both require HS diploma or GED
- Formal training programs include 1-year certificate programs or 2-year Associates Degree programs; formal training is often preferred by employers
- Educational coursework includes: medical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy record-keeping, medical names, doses and uses
- On-the-job training includes names and doses of medications, ethics and laws, store/hospital policies, and customer service. This training can take between 500 and 1000 hours.
- All training programs include internships where hands-on experience is offered under the training of experienced technicians and pharmacists
Credentialing requirements:
- In order to become a certified Pharmacy Technician, a trainee must obtain a National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certificate;
- PTCB certification requires: experience working as a Pharmacy Trainee, HS diploma or GED, and never having been convicted of a felony
- In Massachusetts, only a “Pharmacy Technician Trainee, Pharmacy Technician, a certified Pharmacy Technician or a Pharmacy Intern may be employed in a pharmacy to assist a Pharmacist.
- Massachusetts law requires that a Pharmacy Technician become registered after 500 hours of training. If one is not registered by the time they have trained on the job for 1000 hours, they are not allowed to work as a technician.
- In order to become a Registered Pharmacy Technician in Massachusetts, you must meet the following requirements:
- HS diploma; GED Be at least 18 years old;
- Prove good moral character; no drug felony convictions
- Complete board-approved formal training program OR have worked 500 –1,000 hours as a pharmacist trainee under the direct supervision of a pharmacist AND
- Pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam OR MA Pharmacy Board approved Employer Pharmacy Technician exam
Prerequisite Educational Requirements:
- HS, GED required
- Strong math, spelling, reading skills required; chemistry, algebra, English and health education are helpful
Is this career for you?
- Do you have a close attention to detail?
- Are you able to focus on tasks in busy environments?
- Are you able to follow set procedures, routines and standards?
- Are you able to understand basic math and science principles and use these daily?
- Do you work well in teams; do you enjoy working with and for people?
- Do you have physical stamina and enjoy being active and on your feet?
- Do you have strong communication skills?
For more information on this career visit:
Schools:
Schools for Pharmacy Technician-Mass Pulse
