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Key takeaways
Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in healthcare, ensuring smooth pharmacy operations and impacting patient care positively.
The career of a pharmacy technician offers promising job growth, opportunities for advancement, and diverse work environments.
Working as a pharmacy technician provides direct involvement in patient health through accurate prescription preparation and customer service.
Success as a pharmacy technician requires obtaining relevant certifications, adapting to various work settings, and developing strong interpersonal skills.
Pharmacy technicians are crucial parts of the healthcare system, as they often work behind the scenes to ensure prescriptions are ready. Pharmacies would crumble without the assistance of pharmacy techs in managing inventory, interacting with patients, and assisting pharmacists with dispensing medications safely and accurately. These highly trained professionals help drive patient care and ensure the pharmacy operates smoothly.
Pharmacy techs also benefit from a promising career outlook, as there are plenty of opportunities for personal and professional growth. The potential benefits may make a career as a pharmacy technician an attractive choice for those interested in healthcare and a stable, fulfilling profession.
Read on to learn more about the various benefits of being a pharmacy technician, such as job security, diverse employment opportunities, and the rewarding nature of the job.
5 pharmacy technician benefits
Working as a pharmacy technician comes with its fair share of perks and advantages. Let’s explore five notable benefits that can make this career choice gratifying and fulfilling.
1. Increased job growth and demand
Employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians are expected to grow in the coming years, likely thanks to the healthcare industry’s expansion, an aging population, and the growing demand for prescription medications. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% growth in job opportunities between 2022 and 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
Pharmacy techs can also earn decent pay and benefits. This financial incentive, along with increased job growth and demand, may make pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician a promising option for those interested in the healthcare field.
2. Opportunities for advancement
One of the key benefits of being a pharmacy technician is the potential for advancement. As they gain more experience, pharmacy techs can take on managerial roles as lead technicians or pharmacy operations managers, where they can help delegate tasks and train other techs.
The changing industry also presents numerous opportunities for pharmacy technicians to expand their roles. Many pharmacy technicians move into advanced roles in the patient care process, which can allow them to make a more significant impact on healthcare delivery. For instance, pharmacy technicians can seek advanced training in medication therapy management and investigational drug services, not only furthering their careers but also gaining more skills and knowledge within the field.
3. Diverse work environments
Pharmacy technicians often have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including retail locations, hospital pharmacies, and long-term care facilities. They can choose a work environment that fits their preferences and interact with myriad patient populations depending on that choice. For example, in a retail pharmacy, technicians interact with customers and assist with insurance inquiries. In a hospital or long-term care facility, though, they often collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide medication support for patients with complex medical conditions.
Pharmacy technicians also have a certain degree of flexibility and mobility in their careers. There is the possibility to work anywhere in the country, as the demand for skilled pharmacy technicians is widespread. Not only does this flexibility provide an opportunity to experience living in different locales, but it can also allow you to explore different work settings—which may be particularly appealing if you’re just starting out and aren’t sure of the path you’d like to follow. Working in diverse environments may offer opportunities for career growth and make the work itself more engaging, as each setting has its own challenges and rewards.
4. Direct impact on patient health
As a pharmacy technician, you can directly impact patient health. Without their medications, patients may experience worsened medical conditions or a reduced quality of life. Pharmacy technicians are tasked with accurately preparing prescriptions to ensure patients receive the correct dosage and medication—a great responsibility, yes, but also a rewarding one.
Pharmacy technicians may also assist pharmacists in handling patient concerns and answering questions at the pharmacy counter. As a result, pharmacy technicians can gain a sense of fulfillment from making a positive difference in people’s lives.
5. Hands-on practical experience
Being a pharmacy technician involves hands-on practical experience in the healthcare field. Daily tasks often include accurately measuring and dispensing medications, compounding specialty prescriptions, and handling inventory. Unlike office settings, where most tasks involve sitting at a desk, a pharmacy environment often consists of regular movement and direct interaction with patients. The hands-on nature of the job is a real perk for anyone who thrives in dynamic environments.
Pharmacy techs can also improve their problem-solving and critical thinking skills when facing challenges in daily tasks. Because they regularly communicate with customers and healthcare providers, pharmacy technicians can also hone “soft” interpersonal and customer service skills. These experiences can help pharmacy technicians build a strong foundation for a successful career in healthcare, whether they remain on the technician path or detour to another option in the field.
Succeeding as a pharmacy technician
Although being a successful pharmacy technician comes with numerous benefits, it can also come with challenges. For example, pharmacy techs may work long hours, including nights and holiday shifts, and deal with stressful or unpleasant customer experiences.
But before any of that, you’ll have to abide by the various requirements to become a certified pharmacy technician—such as earning your license—the details of which depend on state laws. In general, though, to succeed as a pharmacy technician, you’ll need to:
- Obtain relevant certifications and education
- Have a strong attention to detail
- Adapt to various work settings and schedules
- Develop excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
- Stay up-to-date on industry trends and advancements
The good news is the certification process can be completed in a relatively short amount of time, allowing individuals to enter the workforce quickly.
With the right skills and determination, pharmacy technicians can find great success and satisfaction in their careers. For more information about becoming a pharmacy technician, you can browse resources provided by the National Pharmacy Technician Association and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.