The healthcare industry is evolving at a speedy pace, and as the sector is expanding in all parts of the world, the demand for new talent is at its peak in all divisions. There was a time when people were only aware of doctors and nurses as essential roles, but now, they know that every aspect involved calls for specialized education and skills.
One such profile is of a pharmacy technician, who does not have a direct role in treating the patients, yet is crucial since these professionals are responsible for handling medication-related tasks.
As per reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow by 6 percent by 2032, which is faster than the average growth for all occupations. This suggests that there will be an increase in demand for pharmacy technician careers in the coming years.
Role of a Pharmacy Technician
The role of a pharmacy technician is to bear obligations like estimating and mixing pills and drugs according to the dosage prescribed by the medic. Also, they count, seal, and deliver the orders while registering the details of every medicine in the pharmacy records to keep trail of the inventory.
Thus, an efficient professional ensures that the patient receives the proper medication on time. This is indeed a complicated job profile, and hence, healthcare organizations make sure that they hire students who have completed pharmacy technician certification from a reputed institution.
During the certification and training program, students get an opportunity to work in a practical setting so that they have an idea of how things work and what their responsibilities will be once they join a job in this profile.
Key Skills for Becoming a Pharmacy Technician
If you are determined to pursue a career in the healthcare industry but are vouching for a role other than remedy and diagnosis, in that case, the pharmacy technician is an excellent alternative you can consider.
However, you should also be acquainted with the distinct skills you need to have to be proficient and thrive in the future. Here are some of them that will let you accomplish your tasks:
Wisdom of medicines
Medical drugs are complicated since these are a combination of different salts and the composition is critical since any error can be fatal for the patient. Hence, if you desire to have a career as a pharmacy technician, you ought to have an in-depth acquaintance with salts and medicines. Also, you should comprehend which medicines cannot be taken together so that patients who have multiple issues can be given the appropriate medication. Basic medical and comprehensive chemical knowledge is a must-have skill for the best output. You should know the right storage techniques for different medicines so that the medication remains stable.
Organizational skills
A pharmacist may work in different environments and setups, but having organizational skills is necessary since this will help manage inventory and render the best support to the patients. You, therefore, need to be ready to work with people and coordinate functions properly.
Attention to detail
As a pharmacist technician, you need to be quick yet accurate, which is possible only if you pay attention to every detail. If you perform your work with dedication, soon you will be able to identify the medicines without reading the label every time along with their purpose, which will let you deliver the correct medication within a limited time.
Customer satisfaction
The pharmacy technician career involves interaction with several patients in a day with different ailments. Thus, delivering a good customer experience, irrespective of the setup and number of patients, is a priority.
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Different Types of Pharmacy Technician Jobs
Let us now check the different pharmacy technician profiles that you must know in order to choose one as your career goal:
1. Level one technician
This is the entry-level profile, which calls for basic training. The technician would perform simpler tasks under the supervision of an expert pharmacist. This is an excellent opportunity to learn the intricacies of medicine before moving to the next level.
2. Level two technician
Healthcare organizations prefer hiring certified and experienced professionals for this role since it involves several obligations that one needs to fulfill independently without supervision. Some crucial tasks that a person working at this level needs to manage are helping prepare prescriptions, using equipment like packaging and labeling tools, organizing and stock tracking medications, and answering patients’ queries about dosage and prescription.
3. Level three technician
At this level, the professionals need to fulfill all the level two requirements along with advanced pharmacy training programs. This profile is more into managerial roles, where the person needs to report the daily transactions, supervise the technicians from the other two levels, classify new or unlabelled drugs in the store, etc. Apart from this, the professional also needs to regularly evaluate performance and conduct quality checks to ensure best practices in the setup.
4. Pharmacy technician informaticist
An informaticist is an expert with in-depth knowledge of pharmaceuticals and technology. Specialized courses involve detailed study of hardware and software used in the pharmacy. Therefore, informaticists are competent in addressing any technological glitches or upgrading the software involved, especially in the case of an automated dispensing system.
5. Chemotherapy pharmacy technician
This technician operates specifically for patients undergoing cancer cure and administers chemotherapy drugs on a regular basis. Since this is a critical health condition, the technician needs to supervise stock and supply efficiently so that there is no shortage of drugs.
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6. Private pharmacy technician
Technicians who do not deal with patients directly and prepare medicines for specific healthcare setups are called private pharmacy technicians. These setups can be online medication enterprises, hospitals, nuclear pharmacies, prisons, etc. The technician has detailed insight into medications and is able to handle several drugs simultaneously.
7. Retail pharmacist technician
As the name suggests, a pharmacist working in the retail segment has several responsibilities to manage apart from standard medication preparation tasks. One needs to answer urgent demands for medicine supplies and also help patients understand the prescription and dosage. Patients who walk in for instant medication need more attention and quick response, which can be a challenge since every person has a different health condition and treatment plan. Hence, one needs to be an efficient communicator as well, apart from the regular job assignments.
8. Sterile products pharmacy technician
A technician who works with sterile compounding, like IV infusions, needs to have acquired advanced-level training. This segment demands working in highly sensitive infusion centers and providing medications according to government policies.
9. Compound pharmacy technician
Compound pharmacies are known to make medicines for customers who cannot consume medications from a regular pharmacy and need exclusive formulations as per their condition. These customized medicines call for advanced knowledge of drugs, making them interesting yet complicated. Any medicine made by a technician in this setup needs to comply with the guidelines and should have no side effects. Compound pharmacy technicians, therefore, develop, label, and pack medicines for clients and deliver them directly to them.
10. Pharmacy benefits manager
These are the technicians who handle prescription processing and payment. These professionals work in all kinds of pharmacy setups and track processes to improve efficiency and accuracy in inventory management. The person serving as pharmacy benefits manager is not directly involved in medicine formulation.
11. Hospital pharmacy technician
Professionals operating in pharmacy units inducted in hospitals and nursing homes are called hospital pharmacy technicians. Here, one needs to be quick as one needs to deal with several patients simultaneously. The technicians working in hospitals are the busiest of all types of pharmacy technicians, and hence, individuals who are prepared to have hectic days at work should opt for this profile. One also needs to be vigilant to ensure no errors when making and packing the medications.
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12. Laboratory pharmacy technician
The technicians who work in laboratory pharmacies need to provide medicines and chemicals involved in testing and lab processes. Proper storage facilities for different testing agents and chemicals are essential so that the composition doesn’t alter, as this may affect the test results in the end. So, even though there is no direct public dealing, it is essential to maintain high levels of accuracy in inventory management and efficient operations.
A Career Path that Demands Dedication
When mulling seeking a pharmacy technician profile, one ought to apprehend the work environment and commitments to make the best choice. Indeed, you are not diagnosing conditions or prescribing medications, but that does not make the job profile less imperative since you are the one who would supply the medicine to the patient, which means the success of the therapy also relies on your efficiency and expertise.
Therefore, if you have chosen to go ahead, be prepared for a demanding environment every day and hours of non-stop work. The trail to being a pharmacy technician is simple since you are only required to enlist in a training program. The preference of the course depends on the role you aspire to since some pharmacy technician positions call for specialized knowledge.
Therefore, be cautious when choosing a program and evaluate the available options to understand the skills they impart and the roles that you will be offered once you have completed the course.
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Hands-on Training and Knowledge of Drugs
Some institutions provide hands-on training where you would work under a pharmacy technician instructor. The instructor will supervise you at every step and help you learn the details of making medicines that will help you understand the correct technique with the least effort.
If you are interested in knowledge of drugs, this career choice will let you achieve your dream job. You need to be dedicated and have the zest to learn. Also, be ready to come across new technology and medical inventions once you pick up a job after obtaining the certificate. Continuous learning will always assist you to remain ahead and explore new job opportunities.
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Key Takeaways
The profile of a pharmacy technician is in demand and has a bright future for capable individuals. Hence, pursuing a training program that gives you the best insight into the role is a requisite.
AIHT Education is the top pharmacy technician training institute in CT and has been rendering the best curriculum to its students, making them proficient pharmacy technicians in the real world. So, if you are exploring a training program, reach out to us and leap toward your career objective with the best intellect around.
FAQs
1) What are the distinct types of pharmacy technician jobs?
According to the setup and responsibilities, there are several types of pharmacy technician roles. Each role requires a distinctive skill set and demands allegiance to the job so that patients get suitable and effective medications as prescribed by the medics.
2) What is the hardest thing about medical billing and coding?
The hardest part of medical billing and coding is keeping up with constantly evolving regulations and guidelines. This includes updates in ICD-10 codes and revisions in billing rules, which are essential for accurate and compliant billing.
3) Does medical coding have a future?
Pharmacy technicians are in demand since only trained and knowledgeable individuals are hired for this role. The profile has a promising future since different types of technicians deal with specific pharmacy needs.
4) Is medical coding a good career salary?
Since pharmacy technicians have specialized skillsets that they acquire by pursuing training programs, healthcare organizations offer good pay scales depending on their knowledge and experience in the field. The salary increases with experience and role, so there is immense growth in this profile.
5) Is medical billing a good career?
Healthcare is more than diagnosis and treatment, which doctors and treatment usually do. Individuals who aspire to be part of this industry without being directly involved should pick pharmacy technicians. It is a reassuring career path where individuals can pick diverse roles according to their expertise.
6) Is medical billing and coding a good career choice?
Depending on his skills and interests, a pharmacy technician can consider different roles. While a hospital pharmacy technician makes medicines for several patients in a day, a private pharmacy technician makes medicines for hospitals and medicine companies. Thus, there is a profile for every inquisitive individual in this domain, which makes it a great alternative.
7) What are the reasons to become a medical biller and coder?
The pharmacy technician profession is luring individuals who strive to work in the healthcare sector. One needs to complete a technician course and can find ample job openings in different setups. Also, there is immense growth and the option to switch roles while gaining experience.
