Job Duties
Your pharmacy technician training will prepare you to work under the guidance of a pharmacist. You’ll be a crucial member of the team and a critical part of keeping the pharmacy running smoothly. A day in your new life will likely include the following:
- Verify prescription information and dosage.
- Assist in formulating, labeling, and dispensing medications.
- Enter patient and order information into the computer system.
- Create and update patient profiles.
- Process and submit insurance claims.
- Provide quality customer service to patients and healthcare providers.
You’ll likely take on more responsibilities over time, possibly offering flu shots or taking a more active role with patient consultations.
Work Environment
Your pharmacy technician skills allow you to work in neighborhood pharmacies or grocery stores. Positions may also available in hospitals, clinics and outpatient centers, specialty pharmacies, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, mail-order pharmacies, tele-pharmacies, and nuclear medicine pharmacies.
Pay Scale
Specific pay rates vary by region, employer, and work setting; however, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of professionals in the field is $37,790.*
You may have upward mobility as a pharmacy technician too. It’s a great first step on any healthcare career path, and may position you to move up and make more as a pharmacist, physician, nurse, or any other health professional. (It can be a perfect part-time job and resume builder while earning your pharmacy degree.)
Industry Demand
Our aging population in combination with a greater number of people insured through the Affordable Care Act has made healthcare one of the nation’s fastest growing industries. Snowballing along with it are pharmacy technician jobs, especially for those with formal training and certification. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 6% growth in pharmacy technician jobs in the next 10 years,* so becoming a pharmacy technician is a great career choice.
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*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. “Pharmacy Technicians.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Accessed March 25, 2024.
Statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook are not a guarantee of any post-graduation salary, in part because the data used to create the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes workers from differing educational backgrounds, levels of experience, and geographic areas of the country.