How To Become A Pharmacy Technician

By: Rachel Mork

If you're wondering how to become a pharmacy technician, you'll be glad to hear it is relatively simple to do. Working as a pharmacy technician is perfect groundwork for becoming a pharmacist, which is a well-paying job that many people find incredibly satisfying. As a pharmacy technician, you will learn exactly what a full-fledged pharmacist does before completing all the challenging schoolwork required to be an actual pharmacist. This can be helpful for those considering a career in pharmacy. The technician job acts both as training and a dry run before you've committed too much.

Pharmacy Technician Responsibilities
As a pharmacy technician, you will take prescription, verify insurance, look up pharmacy pricing and assist in dispensing and measuring prescriptions under the close supervision of a pharmacist. You will research and answer questions of those filling prescriptions and help keep the pharmacy stocked and organized.

Pharmacy Technician Training
If you want to become a pharmacy technician, take math, biology, chemistry and health while in high school. Then pursue an associate's degree from an accredited college, making sure to take courses on pharmaceutical terminology, calculations, record keeping, laws and ethics. It is advisable to seek certification from the National Pharmacy Certification Board. If you have a certification and associate's degree, you will have a better chance of getting a job. If you express your interest in studying to become a pharmacist, you will get even higher consideration from employers.

Pharmacy Technician Salaries And Job Opportunities
You can get a pharmacy technician position at any pharmacy. You might work in a hospital or at a department or corner drugstore. Most technicians are paid between $8 and $15 an hour. You will most likely make more if you work in a hospital pharmacy than if you work at a corner drugstore or department pharmacy.

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