What Do I Need To Be a Pharmacy Technician?
Though the Great Recession is over, many are still struggling to find gainful employment, especially those who don’t have the opportunity to attend a four year college. By training in the right field, however, you can get a job with good pay and strong employment prospects. If you’re looking to quickly get started on such a career, you may want to ask yourself, “What do I need to be a pharmacy technician?” As a pharmacy technician, you may enjoy:
Strong Job Growth
The job market for pharmacy technicians is one of the country’s most dynamic. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that it will expand by 20% within the next decade, creating more than 70,000 new positions throughout the country. This strong job growth is largely driven by the country’s aging population and the growth in chronic diseases. Older adults and those with chronic illnesses need more medications, and pharmacies must hire more staff to keep up with the growth in patients. Along with expanded access to health insurance, these trends virtually guarantee that pharmacy technicians will have no trouble finding jobs for the foreseeable future.
Good, Dynamic Pay
In 2012, the median pharmacy technician in the United States made $14.10 per hour, or $29,320 for the year working full time. This is relatively high for a position that does not require a bachelor’s degree, but merely stating the median wage does not do justice to the potential for wage growth in this industry. Talented, experienced technicians often become invaluable to their pharmacies, and are thus able to command much higher wages than the median. The top 10% of pharmacy technicians earned $42,400 or more in 2012. If you have a passion and a knack for working in a pharmacy, you can work your way into a lucrative, respected position.
Simplified Schooling
Before you decide to take any job, it’s important to figure out what you have to do to gain the position. Luckily, when you ask the question “what do I need to be a pharmacy technician?,” the answer is relatively simple. You can technically be hired as a pharmacy technician after graduating from high school, though it is generally preferable to first take a vocational training course. Not only will this make you more likely to be hired and advance into high-paying positions, but it will also make it easier to pass the certification exams that you must take in many states. Most vocational programs last no more than a year, are relatively inexpensive, and provide a sold foundation for your career.
Elastic Work Environments
Pharmacy technicians have demanding jobs. Because patients may need to refill their medications at any day or time, pharmacies are open at all hours, meaning that technicians must be available to work on weekends or late at night. The upside to this, however, is that technicians are able to set flexible shifts and work the hours that they want. If you prefer to work forty hours straight and then spend the rest of the week relaxing, you’re likely to have the option as a pharmacy technician. Because technicians are needed at hospitals, drug stores, grocery stores, and a wide range of other businesses, you will also enjoy flexibility in terms of where you work. Although it is a promising job, not everyone will answer the question, “What do I need to be A pharmacy technician. It’s important to consider all of your options and choose the career that is right for you. For more information on finding a job that meets your needs and talents, contact the Southern Careers Institute.
