So You Wanna Be a ...

Pharmacy Technician

(aka: Pharmaceutical Technician, Pharmacy Assistant)

Admit it: you've always fantasized about lording 2 feet above those pharmacy peons. First, you'll need a passion for working in healthcare and superior attention to detail. Patient safety is a priority when dispensing powerful drugs, and the country's 350,000+ Pharmacy Technicians are a critical player in ensuring that every prescription is filled properly. Moreover, the profession is expected to grow substantially as the generation of baby boomers require more care and medication in their later years.

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What do Pharmacy Technicians do?

• Measure, label, and package prescription medications. Medications are designated as requiring a prescription when there is a heightened potential for abuse or adverse side effects. Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists by carefully measuring out and labeling prescribed drugs.
• Manage and organize pharmacy inventory. With limited in-store shelf space, pharmacies need to carefully manage their inventory of medications. Pharmacy technicians alert pharmacists when supplies are running low, and coordinate with drug manufacturers to restock as necessary.
• Process patient insurance and payments for dispensed medications. Patients show up with all manner of insurance policies, including Medicare and Medicaid, which pharmacy technicians need to be familiar with in order to efficiently process claims and out-of-pocket payments.
• Enter and organize customer information into a pharmacy's computer system. Maintaining accurate records of patient information and past prescription fills ensures patient safety, and keeps a pharmacy's intake queue humming.

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How much do Pharmacy Technicians make?

The median annual salary in 2012 was $29,300, with the top 10% earning over $42,000. Those working in hospital or ambulatory settings typically make slightly more than those working in drug store or grocery store pharmacies.

How do I become a Pharmacy Technician?

Education Requirements. Candidates typically require a high school degree and some form of postsecondary education: either a certificate earned from a vocational school, or a 2-year associate's degree. Such programs offer training on basic pharmacy mathematics, record-keeping, legal issues, and patient interaction. Certain States require pharmacy techs to be certified and/or licensed.

Find a program in your area. Use the CampusExplorer search tool below to find a program at a school near you or online.