Unitek College Blog

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board recently sponsored research to assess how well the public understands the qualifications of the people helping pharmacists prepare prescriptions in pharmacies across the country. The results show that Americans assume that laws are in place requiring pharmacy technicians to be trained and certified. In addition, the vast majority of the public support the need for certification of the people who help licensed pharmacists dispense prescription medicines.

There are major misperceptions about the requirements for training and certification for pharmacy technicians.

• Incorrectly, 73% of the public accept as true that “pharmacy technicians are required by law to be trained and certified before they can help prepare prescriptions.” Only 9% of respondents recognize this as a false statement. The remaining 17% have no idea.
• A majority (58%] wrongly believe that “only licensed pharmacists are involved in dispensing drug prescriptions.” Only 26% recognize this as a false statement.
• Almost half (45%) accept as false the true statement that people without formal training are allowed to help pharmacists prepare prescriptions for patients. A third correctly judge this statement as true.
• Three-fourths of Americans assume that pharmacy technicians are required by law to be trained and certified before they can help prepare prescriptions.

The American public strongly supports state regulations that require the training and certification of pharmacy technicians.

• A strong consensus of 91% of the public agrees that state regulations are in order, including 76% who strongly agree.
• At the same time, consumers support the idea of employers only hiring pharmacy technicians who are certified (92% agree with this approach, including 76% who strongly agree).
• The strength of this support for certification of pharmacy technicians is best understood in the context of what people already assumed.
• Most people assumed that the people preparing prescriptions in a pharmacy were regulated by the state (87% agree) and assumed that drug prescriptions were being prepared by persons certified to do so (87% agree).

Note — Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists in dispensing medications. The pharmacy technician is accountable to the supervising pharmacist who is legally responsible through state licensure for the care and safety of patients served by the pharmacy.

A new year means new beginnings: new resolutions, ideas and friends; new habits, relationships and goals; new salaries, titles and responsibilities. And perhaps most importantly, new jobs. Lots of them. And not just for 2008, either – until 2016.
There is good news for Unitek College’s Pharmacy Technician training students  In the 30 fastest-growing growing occupations for 2006-2016, according to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), Pharmacy technician is number 16.

Here are some numbers:
2006 employment: 285,000
2016 projection: 376,000
Percent growth: 32
Salary range: $21,260 – $30,560

One note of those of us in California – the salary numbers provided above are nationwide. California salaries are typically 30 to 50% higher than these numbers.

1. Pharmacy Technician
2. Tax Preparer
3. Dental Assistant
4. Personal Home Care Aide
5. Receptionist
6. Clerical Library Assistant
7. Demonstrators, Product Presenters
8. Child Care Worker
9. Fitness Trainer
10. Physical Therapist Aide

Average Salary: Click Here (higher pay for weekend shifts and certified technicians)
Job Description: Pharmacy Technicians work in hospitals, health care facilities and retail pharmacies helping pharmacists prepare prescriptions for patients.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Openings
Learn how you can make your career more rewarding. Click Here
Did your current job make the top 10 job list?

Pharmacy Technicians work under the supervision of registered pharmacists, assisting them with the filling of drug prescriptions, reviewing orders for dosages, allergies, incompatibilities and interactions. It is a job that requires an astute knowledge of chemistry, biology & math. A Pharmacy Technician often also interacts with the customers they service, so a Pharmacy Tech must be personable and patient when dealing with people who are sick and not necessary in the best frame of mind.

This is the perfect job for someone who enjoys multi-tasking and having different things to do each day they come into work. Some days you come in and you have lots of prescriptions to fill as well as long lines of customers to service. Conversely, there may also be those days when you are able to quickly fill the few prescriptions you have as well as service the handful of customers and then you are free to assist the registered pharmacist in other aspects of the laboratory.

Other things a Pharmacy Technician will get to do include mixing, measuring, packaging, and delivering medications as well as maintaining computerized lists of the medications in circulation and checking with the pharmacists before delivering any medication, to see whether those are the right drugs. They may also be called upon to clean and sterilize the instruments, transporting medication and pharmacy equipment to clinics and nursing units, answering various questions about non-drug products, or calling physicians’ offices for prescription refills.

Many people choose a pharmacy technician career for a variety of reasons. First of all, the working conditions are very good. Pharmacy Technicians work in clean and organized areas, which are well ventilated and well lit. Secondly, Pharmacy Technician jobs are always in high demand and you will have the ability to start at a higher salary if you have a Pharmacy Technician certification.

There is no requirement for formal training or licensing as pharmacy technician. However, on-the-job training is less available nowadays, and employers prefer individuals who hold a pharmacy tech certification issued by a training institution. There is a voluntary exam that future pharmacy technicians can take, known as the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examinations.

Do you know anyone right now who is a Pharmacy Technician? What have they said about their experiences?