To become a pharmacy technician, an individual must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Other requirements may depend on the country. For example, some countries require their applicants in this field to complete a formal training program, while others require them to pass a certification examination.
To find out the rules of this profession, a candidate must consult with his country’s Pharmacy Board for specific regulations. Usually, these are the requirements for this job:
- High school diploma
- GED
- Formal training program
- Criminal background check
- Inspection
- Cost
- Continue education
Although some states do not require applicants to pass certification exams, certification makes it possible for individuals to find work much easier. In fact, some employers prefer to employ certified individuals.
There are two organizations that offer certification in this profession. These are as follows:
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
- National Health Association
Important skills and qualities
There are important skills and qualities that a person must possess to succeed in this field.
Communication skills
Be it written or spoken, professionals must know how to interact with clients or customers. In addition to being helpful and polite, they must also learn how to communicate in ways that are easily understood by the people they are talking to.
Organizational capability
They are very important for individuals who want to take part in this career. Remember that this profession involves a variety of responsibilities. With good organizational skills, they can easily handle the work assigned to them while giving their customers the best attention.
Detail oriented
One mistake in filling a prescription can cause serious health problems. To avoid this, pharmacy technicians must know how to follow instructions so that complications can be prevented.
Work environment
The majority of them work in pharmacies, such as in drug stores, in hospitals and in the grocery section. However, they can also find work in pharmaceutical companies. Work schedules may depend on the company they work for. If a pharmacy or drugstore is open 24 hours 7 days a week, they may have to deal with night shifts or work during weekends. Most professionals in this field work full time. But there are some who are committed to part-time work at the pharmacy.
Salary
Salaries of competitive pharmacy technicians. The lowest salary in the profession is reported to be less than $ 19,000 while the highest salary is recorded at more than $ 40,000 per year. In May 2010, the hospital was the highest paid industry for this profession. They were followed by grocery stores, pharmacies, and department stores.
Duties and responsibilities
Their duties and responsibilities are numerous. For example, they were assigned to count tablets, label prescriptions, receive payments, mix drugs, and carry out routine tasks, among others. Whatever their job, they work under the strict supervision of a licensed pharmacist. They can arrange a meeting between the customer and the pharmacist if the ex has questions about his treatment or health.
