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Choosing A Career As A Pharmacy Technician

By Claudio Herrling


Becoming a pharmacy technician requires a commitment to acquiring a specialized skill. Working closely with pharmacists as well as with patients on a daily basis can make choosing a career as a pharmacy tech both challenging and rewarding.

It is a requirement that a license to practice be earned through the sitting for licensing exams. Once you've passed your exams, you'll obtain a national pharmacy technician training certificate and become a CPhT or a Certified Pharmacy Technician. This certificate is absolutely necessary if you're looking to make being a pharmacy tech as a career choice.

It is often necessary for to be recertified every couple of years if you intend to work as a pharmacy technician long term. It is important to note that most pharmacists and employers requiring pharmacy technicians look more favorably on individuals with a proper license to practice, and a job is more likely guaranteed.

If you've earned your certificate as a licensed pharmacy tech, you'll find jobs available in a wide variety of places. Hospitals being the most obvious place to find a job - nursing homes, clinics and even retail pharmacies are other places that need pharmacy technicians. Greater responsibilities are required from technicians who serve in health clinics and nursing homes as these they should be capable of understanding the patients' issues, prepare the proper medicines, make sure that they are right and administer these to the patients.

Pharmacy technicians are generally required all through the day. Because of this, most technicians work in shifts. The amount you earn per hour can vary based on your work experience, geographical location and shift you choose to work - evening and weekend shifts typically pay more per hour. Bear in mind that as you progress in your career, the amount of control you have over your working hours increases.

If you've decided on choosing a career as a pharmacy technician, there are some qualities you must learn to embody in order to be successful at your job. Communication is key because as a pharmacy tech, you will need to converse frequently with pharmacists and patients. It is important that you also make sure that you are well organized, efficient, alert and pay great attention to detail because there is no room for error when preparing medication for treating patients.

A pharmacy technician is not only required to prepare and dispense medicines but is also responsible to advise patients about their diet and health. Because of this, it is important to always keep aware of the latest in medicine developments. Working closely with other technicians, pharmacists and pharmacy aids, a pharmacy technician must be able to and willing to work as a team.

Being a pharmacy tech requires precision as there is no room for error. Every prescription requires the exact medicines to be prepared. The technician has to verify that all information provided are both accurate and complete, and verify its validity with the pharmacist before it is dispensed. Apart from medications, a pharmacy technician may often be asked to keep patient records updated and current as well as take stock of the medicines kept.

With the advancement of science and modern medicine, it is highly likely that the demand for pharmacy tech will continue to increase. The unique skills attained by making becoming a pharmacy technician as a career choice will ensure stability as well as embarking on a rewarding and fulfilling profession.




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