| Science has made many wonderful contributions to | | | | prescriptions, drug information, or health matters to the |
| our quality of life, and near the top of the list are | | | | pharmacist. |
| modern pharmaceuticals. Nowadays we have access | | | | How about certification? Two organizations administer |
| to many effective prescription drugs that can add | | | | national certification examinations-the Pharmacy |
| years to our lives. If you enjoy helping people lead | | | | Technician Certification Board and the Institute for the |
| healthier lives through scientific advances, you might | | | | Certification of Pharmacy Technicians. Certification |
| want to consider training to work in a pharmacy. | | | | requirements vary-it's required by some states and |
| But first, let's review the various jobs and their | | | | employers, and is voluntary in some states. |
| descriptions. Many people are confused about the | | | | Employers tend to favor applicants who have |
| differences between pharmacists, pharmacy aides, | | | | completed formal training and certification. Education |
| and pharmacy technicians. Let's have a look. | | | | programs and certification highlight the technician's |
| Pharmacists distribute prescription drugs to individuals. | | | | proficiency, knowledge, and dedication to the work. |
| They also provide advice to patients, physicians, and | | | | Formal education programs are offered by the military, |
| other health practitioners on the selection, interactions, | | | | some hospitals, proprietary schools, vocational or |
| dosages, and side effects of medications. Pharmacists | | | | technical colleges, and community colleges. Many |
| must earn a PharmD degree (Doctor of Pharmacy) | | | | quality programs that offer relevant skills, such as |
| from an accredited college or school of pharmacy. | | | | health and chemistry, can be found at accredited |
| This is a four-year degree program that is not like | | | | career colleges. |
| what you may think of as a typical doctoral program. | | | | The job outlook is good. According to the U.S. |
| Generally, you do not need a master's or even a | | | | Government's Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment |
| bachelor's degree to earn your PharmD degree. But | | | | of pharmacy technicians is expected to increase by 31 |
| you must have completed a set of prerequisite | | | | percent in the current decade from 2008 to 2018, |
| college-level courses in chemistry, biology, and other | | | | which is much faster than the average for all |
| areas. A license to practice pharmacy is required in all | | | | occupations. Good job prospects are anticipated for |
| states, all U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. | | | | full-time and part-time work, particularly for technicians |
| Pharmacy aides perform administrative duties in | | | | with formal training or previous experience. |
| pharmacies. They cannot handle prescription drugs. | | | | As the baby boomer generation ages, demand for |
| They may be clerks or cashiers who answer | | | | prescription medications will almost certainly increase. |
| telephones, stock shelves, handle money, and perform | | | | Continued scientific advances should bring treatments |
| other clerical duties. Pharmacy aides may maintain | | | | for an increasing number of conditions, and |
| patient files, prepare insurance claim forms, and stock | | | | consequently more pharmacy technicians will be |
| and take inventory of supplies and medications. Most | | | | needed to fill a growing number of prescriptions. |
| pharmacy aides have a high school diploma and are | | | | Perhaps you could be part of the trend with a |
| trained on the job. | | | | rewarding career as a pharmacy technician. |
| Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists | | | | But how do you get started? Career colleges closely |
| provide medication and other health care products to | | | | track growing occupations, which is why you'll find |
| patients. They perform some of the same | | | | plenty of training opportunities at schools in your |
| administrative tasks as pharmacy aides, such as | | | | community. A good way is to start is to log onto a |
| answering phones, stocking shelves, and operating | | | | reputable online career college search engine and |
| cash registers. | | | | directory. You can search for schools in your area that |
| But unlike pharmacy aides, technicians also help | | | | offer programs in pharmacy training, as well as |
| prepare prescribed medication. Technicians must | | | | colleges that offer undergraduate courses in chemistry |
| retrieve, measure, and sometimes mix the medication. | | | | and biology. You'll also be able to find online degree |
| They may select the type of prescription container, | | | | programs. You can compare programs and even learn |
| prepare the prescription labels, and affix the | | | | about flexible schedules and financial aid. Then you can |
| prescription and auxiliary labels to the container. | | | | request free information from the schools that interest |
| Technicians price and file the prescription, which is then | | | | you, visit a few, and make your decision. In less time |
| checked by a pharmacist before it is given to the | | | | than you think, you could be ready for a rewarding |
| patient. They refer any questions regarding | | | | career as a pharmacy technician or pharmacist. |