I always had a dilemma during my high school years about what career path should I choose. I personally grew up in a medical career people because my parents are both surgeons. I find my myself torn between engineering and medical field. But since I had a knack for repetitive and memorizing stuff I preferred the medical field.

I really recommend every people to deeply contemplate on whatever career path they would like to pursue. Always remember that money should always come secondary, for your primary purpose should always lie on your utmost interest in life. Sticking with your primary purpose would make any job easier for you.

I have sighted below, some important keys and roles of a Pharmacy Technician.

Are you ready for a Pharmacy Technician Job?

It is true that most of us require medications at some point in life. Whether you receive them during a hospital stay or you have to pick them up after a doctor’s visit, your medicines have probably been touched by a pharmacy technician. These men and women are found in every pharmacy and work side by side with the pharmacist. Pharmacy technician jobs are quite varied, and require skills in many different areas.

Because technicians do handle medicines on a daily basis, some knowledge of the field is very helpful. One way that you can receive this knowledge is to enroll in a certification program.

You get started on becoming a Pharmacy Tech through:

• Schools that offer this program both in a campus setting or via the internet.
• Check on some purely based online courses.

It is essential for you to find the best way to learn and absorb the lessons that is being rendered in your chosen school. With perseverance and hard work, you can often finish the needed classes in a year and be ready to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).

Not all states require pharmacy technicians to be certified, but certification always looks good on a resume.

Of course, even after you have landed a job, it is important to keep your skills up to date, which is why continuing education is required yearly.

If you are interested in this field, you may want to know that there are several types of pharmacies where technicians are needed, and each of these areas have slightly different job descriptions.

The main places that require pharmacy technicians are:

• Retail Pharmacies
• Mail order pharmacies
• Hospitals
• Nursing facilities
• Care facilities

While each of these positions are slightly different, there is a good bit of overlap.

Regardless of which area you work in, you will have to count medications and enter orders.

*Telephone skills will be an asset in any of these fields, although who you spend time talking to may differ depending on the type of pharmacy in which you work.

THE PHARMACY TECHNICIAN’S ROLE IN VARIOUS PLACES

Working in a Retail Pharmacy or Mail Order Pharmacy

Pharmacy Technicians that work in a retail or mail order pharmacy may find much of the day on the phone with insurance companies. As a retail worker you will also need to have great people skills since you will handle much of the customer service. It is also important to note that retail technicians may need some extra knowledge about over the counter medications in order to help customers. If you choose this line of work, you will need to be friendly and able to deal with people.

Working in a Hospital or other Nursing Facilities

Pharmacy Technicians that work in Hospital and long term care facilities normally have more technical jobs than a retail pharmacy. If you work in these types of pharmacies, you will probably spend a lot time on the phone with floor nurses or doctors. Filling IV bags and dispensing medicines to floors rather than patients are some of the things that make these jobs different than retail. While hospital techs need to be friendly, they spend far less time interacting with patients. Dealing with insurance companies is usually left to someone in an office rather than the technician.

Pharmacy Tech’s MUST HAVE SKILLS:

• people skills
• telephone skills
• basic computer skills
• customer service
• knowledge in medications (prescription or over the counter)
• friendly aura

This may be a perk for some people, but keep in mind that anything is possible with perseverance and a lot of job exposure.

If you are interested in this career opportunity, it is good to note that pharmacy technicians are in high demand.

Salaries in this field range from around $23,000 to around $54,000 per year depending on education, place of employment, and experience.

After all, medical related jobs are considered stable compare to other careers. Pharmacy technician jobs are a great fit for people who want to help others. It may be a great fit for you!