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Pharmacy Technician
Industry: Healthcare
Area: Nursing and Direct Patient Care
Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients. Technicians usually perform routine tasks to help prepare prescribed medication for patients, such as counting tablets and labeling bottles. Technicians refer any questions regarding prescriptions, drug information, or health matters to a pharmacist.
Work Settings
Two-thirds of all jobs are in retail pharmacies, either independently owned or part of a drug store chain, grocery store, department store, or mass retailer. More than two out of 10 jobs are in hospitals and a small number are in mail-order and Internet pharmacies, clinics, pharmaceutical wholesalers and the Federal Government.
Education
Most pharmacy technicians receive on-the-job training. However, formal training and certification are increasing in popularity.
Job Outlook
Employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2014 because as the population grows and ages, demand for pharmaceuticals will increase dramatically.
Salary
Pharmacy Technician $14,000 - $30,000(NYS Avg. $21,500)
Work Schedule
Most work 40-hour week