Sunday, 13 May 2012

A Career as a Pharmacy Technician

Many people have already discovered the rewards of a career as a pharmacy technician, and with the expected growth in this professional field, there are sure to be many more in the future. If you are looking for a career with regular hours, good pay and the rewards of helping others maintain their health, you could be one of these people. As a pharmacy technician, you would be responsible for filling prescriptions and performing various tasks as directed by a licensed pharmacist. You must have a wide knowledge of medication and various medical issues, and you must be able to communicate and work well with others. Keep reading to learn more.

How to Become a Pharmacy Technician
If you're thinking of becoming a pharmacy technician, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is fairly easy to enter this career field, especially compared to some other jobs in the medical industry that take years of training and education. You will need to complete some classroom education and hands-on training, although you will have many different options to choose from, including technical schools and online programs with flexible schedules. Your education may be completed in less than a year. Once you've finished an accredited pharmacy tech program, you will need to pass the pharmacy technician certification exam offered in your state; you will then be qualified to interview for jobs at pharmacies.

What to Expect in the Pharmacy Technician Job Market
As you begin interviewing for jobs as a pharmacy technician, you will probably find that employers prefer applicants who have received associate's degrees from community colleges and technical schools, so it's important to take your education seriously. There are many good jobs out there today, and experts predict a 25 percent growth in the field in the next decade, partially because of advances in pharmaceutical medicine and partially because of the growth in retailers offering pharmaceutical services. There are also many qualified applicants entering this job market, though, so you need to remain competitive.

You may find pharmacy technician jobs at retail shops, hospitals, government facilities, university health centers, online businesses and various other organizations. Once you have started working as a pharmacy technician, you will need to keep your certification current with 20 hours of continuing education every two years, which is a big responsibility. Along with the responsibilities come many rewards, though. It's an excellent time to enter this growing job market.

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