Pharmacy technicians assist licensed pharmacists by performing duties that
do not require the professional skills and judgments of a board certified
pharmacist. These duties include preparing prescriptions, ordering
supplies maintaining patient records and billing, and maintaining
inventory. Pharmacy technicians may also be called upon to mix
pharmaceutical preparations under the direction and supervision of the
pharmacist. They are also responsible for assisting in the care and
cleaning of pharmacy equipment. This may include sterilizing bottles,
beakers, and other glassware according to prescribed methods. Another
important role of a pharmacy technician is to receive and screen
prescription drug orders for completeness and accuracy. This increases the
need for a pharmacy technician to be able to prepare and distribute
medications in a variety of health system settings. They need to have a
broad knowledge of pharmacy practice and be able to use pharmaceutical and
medical terms, abbreviations, and symbols appropriately. Pharmacy
technicians are even sometimes called on to deliver prepared medications
and run errands for the supervising pharmacist.
Work Environment:
Pharmacy technicians typically work in community and chain pharmacies,
clinics, hospitals, home health care pharmacies, and other health
maintenance organizations.
High School Preparation:
Individuals interested in a career as a pharmacy technician should be
exposed to subjects in algebra, biology, chemistry, computer skills,
health occupations/medical professions education, history, English, and
geometry.
College Requirements:
Students entering a pharmacy technician program should have a high school
diploma or the equivalent. These programs are often two years in length
and offer an Associate's Degree. There is also training available to
become state or nationally certified. Students interested in pharmacy
technology should contact schools for information on admission and course
of study.
For educational institutions in
Mississippi
offering this course of study
click here.
Career Outlook:
Employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians look extremely good
especially for technicians with formal training or previous experience.
Demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow by more then 36%
through the year 2010. This growth is due to increased pharmaceutical
needs of a larger and older population and the greater use of medication
by the population as a whole. There are also an increased number of middle
aged and elderly people who tend to use more prescription drugs than do
younger people. Another reason for greater employment opportunities for
pharmacy technicians is the expansion of retail pharmacies and other
employment settings. |
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Salary:
Average Annual Salary
$24,800
Salary Range
$19,300-$31,600
Professional Organizations:
American Association of
Pharmacy Technicians
P.O. Box 1447
Greensboro, NC 27402
Phone: (877) 368-4771
Phone: (336) 275-1700
Fax: (336) 275-7222
www.pharmacytechnician.com
American Pharmaceutical Association
2215 Constitution Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: (800) 237-2742
Phone: (202) 628-4410
www.aphanet.org
Mississippi Pharmacists Association
341 Edgewood Terrace Dr
Jackson, MS 39206
Phone: (601) 981-0416
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Pharmacy Technician brochure
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