The pharmacy technician field is expected to grow by about 7% in the coming years, and this is good news for new technicians. If you’ve ever considered pursuing a pharmacy tech career, you’ve chosen the right time. Our healthcare system is currently expanding to meet the needs of COVID-19, and we’ve been shown just how fragile we really are. We’ll need thousands more healthcare technicians in the coming years to meet the needs of a population that seems to become more sickly with each passing year.
A pharmacy technician is responsible for assisting the pharmacist in filling prescriptions, organizing the pharmacy and measuring doses, filing paperwork, and much more. Millions of Americans depend on prescription medications for everything from heart complications to anxiety and more serious conditions like cancer.
You’ve chosen a rewarding career path! Here are three reasons to consider a career as a pharmacy tech; hopefully, they’ll be the catalyst to get you started towards a new and exciting career path.
1. Fast-Track A New Career
For many, the idea of starting over in a new career is daunting, to say the least. Going back to school, making schedule adjustments, and spending money are just a few considerations that usually hold people back from changing their situation. If you’re in a job you dislike, you could wind up spending years of your life doing something that brings you no fulfillment; and this simply isn’t conducive to a happy, healthy lifestyle.
If you’re interested in becoming a pharmacy tech, UMA has a pharmacy technician school that can get you your degree in just a few short years, and for a fraction of the cost of a larger university. Most programs take 18-24 months, but you can also choose an expedited program that can get you certified in about 10 months.
You have two options for pharmacy tech education: a certification or an associate’s degree. The latter will likely open up more options for employment, but in some cases, a certification is enough.
2. Growing Field, Good Salary
Luckily, the pharmacy technician field is growing by about 7% over the course of the next decade. It’s possible that COVID will increase this number, but the data isn’t quite available yet. The BLS has published information that suggests new jobs will be added in the future, with the current figure at about 420,000 pharmacy tech jobs around the country.
This is excellent news for people new to the job market. Recent graduates can find employment in retail pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, mail-order pharmacies, and more. The options are abundant, and the experience you’ll gain will be invaluable in the future.
Not to mention, you’ll find the salary to be quite reasonable for an associate’s degree program. Pharmacy technicians can expect to make between $13-$16 per hour or around $33,000 per year. With more experience, you can expect to make more, and certain environments command a higher salary. For example, working in a hospital will require more specific skills than a retail pharmacy, so the salary could be higher.
Whether you’re a recent high school graduate, a single parent looking for a career change, or someone that wants a fast-track to the medical field, a pharmacy tech career can be the perfect option.
3. An Essential Societal Function
Make no mistake; the pharmacy is an essential part of a functional society. Americans depend on millions of prescriptions every year, and the pharmacy acts as a professional “middle man” between the patient and the doctor. The doctor diagnoses and prescribes, the pharmacy fills orders and delivers the medication. The pharmacy also files insurance claims and handles patient requests.
The presence of pharmacies makes the process of getting prescription medications that much simpler and more convenient for the consumer, and many of the patients depend on their meds to keep them alive or functional. You’re literally fulfilling a life-or-death function in society, and that’s a big responsibility. It’s also a rewarding one, knowing that you’re helping people every day.
The Bottom Line
Becoming a pharmacy technician can take as little as two years, won’t cost nearly as much as a bachelor’s degree from a university, and can offer you a fast-track into a growing field. You’ll get a good salary, a rewarding career, and a chance to make a difference in the world at large by keeping people healthy and functional.
If you’re a compassionate, detailed, and organized person, you’ll want to consider a career as a pharmacy technician. The world and the medical field are in serious need of compassionate, caring people to handle the growing needs of the healthcare system.