Interested in a Pharmacy Career?
Pharmacy technicians are responsible for a variety of duties in a pharmacy setting. They fill and label prescriptions; assist customers and patients when ordering prescriptions; schedule staff; deal with insurance companies; order medications from drug companies; and assist pharmacists with their duties.
What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?
If you've ever filled a medical prescription at your local drug store, chances are you've interacted with a pharmacy technician. It is a well-known fact that pharmacists prescribe and dispense prescription drugs. What many might not realize is that pharmacists often require the help of pharmacy technicians or aides throughout the work day.
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians are responsible for a variety of duties in a pharmacy setting. They fill and label prescriptions; assist customers and patients when ordering prescriptions; schedule staff; deal with insurance companies; order medications from drug companies; and assist pharmacists with their duties.
Salary & Employment Outlook for Pharmacy Techs
Most pharmacy technicians (75 percent) work in retail settings, including grocery stories, drug stores, and super stores, such as Wal-Mart. However, other technicians may find employment in hospitals, mail-order pharmacies, and student health centers located on college campuses.
How to Land a Pharmacy Technician Job
Pharmacy technician jobs are in high demand, and job prospects are expected to increase as the nation's population ages. There may be plenty of jobs, but there is still a lot of competition. Here's a guide to making yourself more competitive in the pharmacy technician job market.
Earning Your National Certification
In order to become a practicing pharmacy technician, you must be certified by the state in which you are working. However, many pharmacy technicians also choose to become nationally certified.
Pharm Tech Certification & Licensing Requirements by State
Because of regulations, to work as a pharmacy technician, you must meet certain state-specific requirements. Read on to find a summary of each state's requirements.
Accredited Pharmacy Technician Schools
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists is the only national professional organization of hospital and health-system pharmacists. It provides specialized accreditation for pharmacy technician training programs. The organization's high standards for accreditation include experience requirements for all instructors; instructor membership in a national pharmacy organization; and specific guidelines for the training program's curriculum. Below, you will find a state-by-state listing of institutions that offer ASHP-accredited pharmacy technician training programs.