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Salaries Offered to Pharmacy
Technicians
Pharmacy
technicians are people trained in pharmacy handling. They have all the
skills necessary to handle a pharmacy but do not have the educational
qualifications to become a pharmacist. They
work
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with pharmacists and
customers, handling prescriptions, patient records, and medication. A
pharmacy technician fills out prescriptions by weighing, counting, and
measuring medications as required.
Most pharmacy technicians
spend their time behind the counter of a pharmacy, standing through the
day to meet customer's requirements. Often, they are also expected to
carry-in or move heavy boxes, ladders, and other containers that are
delivered to the pharmacy. A pharmacy technician can be a single
employee in a small pharmacy or part of a team of technicians in larger
pharmacies.
Pharmacy technicians are
often expected to maintain
odd-hours, especially if the pharmacy is a 24-hour one. They might also
be required to work night shifts and weekends. Their duties can vary
depending on the pharmacy and range from simple medication dispensing
and customer interaction to answer phone calls and operating the cash
counter.
A pharmacy technician's
salary mostly depends on his
experience and qualifications. Many technicians do not have any formal
qualification and have learnt the pharmacy trade on-the-job under a
pharmacist. Such pharmacists generally receive lower salaries than
those with a formal diploma or certificate in pharmacy handling.
The
overall work experience of a pharmacy technician is also an important
deciding criterion in his salary. Pharmacy technician salary for new or
trainee level technicians usually ranges around $25,000 per annum for
the first couple of years of work.
Once
they have learnt the trade and
have gathered some experience, they can expect a hike to around $30,000
per annum.
This can increase steadily
with experience and a 10-year
experienced pharmacy technician's salary can be as high as $40,000
annually. The average annual starting salary for pharmacy technicians
as listed by the American Medical Association is $19,000.
If we
consider the pharmacy
technician salary in terms of hourly wages, then you can expect to
draw anything between $10 and $17 per hour. Those in the initial stages
of their career usually draw between $9 and $11 per hour, while
technicians with several years of experience under their belt can
expect and demand up to $17 per hour.
Pharmacy technician salary
is also dependent on the type and size of pharmacy they are employed
with. Pharmacies attached with big clinics or hospitals often have
better pay scales than neighborhood pharmacies. Small, single-person
pharmacies cannot afford to match the pay rates of these bigger
institutions.
Technicians who are certified
can expect higher
salary scales, though it might not be much higher than the rates
mentioned above. An increase in pharmacy technician salary usually
happens once a year and then too, the decision is totally based on the
discretion of the pharmacist.
It is true that many pharmacy
technician jobs
can be limited in what they can offer in the way of career advancement
options unless the technician also has good
educational qualifications or are willing to enroll in higher programs
such as that
for becoming a pharmacist.
The maximum promotion a
pharmacy technician
can expect
in his career is to a supervisor position at the pharmacy. A
supervisory position is possible if the pharmacist is employed with a
multi-technician
pharmacy and has accrued as much as seven years experience.
The
yearly pharmacy technician salary for a supervisor can be between
$40,000 and $50,000 depending on the pharmacy and your ability on the
job.
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What Can You Expect from a
Pharmacy
Technician Job?
Careers as a pharmacy
technician are growing in popularity. According
to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the United States Department
of Labor, the number of those employed in this job is expected to grow
at a rapid rate. Estimates indicate that this profession is expected to
outpace the average growth of many other fields.
Pharmacy technicians aid
licensed pharmacists in preparing
prescriptions. This may include accepting prescriptions from customers
or physicians' offices, counting tablets or labeling prescription
containers. In small organizations, technicians may also assist with
other duties such as operating cash registers, restocking shelves,
answering telephones and aiding customers.
Depending on the facility in
which the technician works, hours can vary
widely. In addition to traditional retail pharmacies and hospitals,
pharmacy technicians may also work for government, school, non-profit
organizations, sports teams or schools. In traditional retail
pharmacies, there are generally no night shifts or major holidays.
However, working on weekends may be required.
In hospital pharmacies or
others which stay open twenty-four hours a
day, there is a potential for being scheduled for work on nights,
weekends and holidays. Many pharmacy technicians choose to work only
part time, but there are some full time positions available.
Benefits are variable
depending on the company worked for as well as
the position held. In many cases, part time employees are not eligible
for benefits. There are some companies that do offer this employee
group benefits however. Benefits offered may include insurance,
discounts, vacation, holiday pay, paid time off, sick pay, paid time
off or retirement. Some companies also offer financial assistance for
employees who wish to further their education.
Salary may depend on a number
of factors, including type of pharmacy,
location, experience and education. According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, the median hourly wage for a pharmacy technician in May
2008 was $13.32. Those on the low end of the pay scale make less than
$9.27 and those at the highest end make more than $18.98.
Those wishing to increase
their salary should start by taking a close
look at their education. While most companies accept those with on the
job training and some accept those with little more than a high school
diploma, individuals who have completed a formal pharmacy technician
education program or who have obtained pharmacy
technician certification are generally highly
regarded.
Education programs can last
anywhere from six months to two years. They
are typically offered through colleges. The more extensive programs
cover terminology, calculations, law, ethics, record keeping, and
techniques. Familiarity with medications, their customary uses and
doses is often required as well. Some programs include internships.
Upon completion of the program, students will receive either a
certificate, diploma or associate degree, depending on the type of
program taken.
Certification is not required
by all states or companies. It generally
consists of a written examination. Those taking the test must get a
certain percentile of answers correct in order to obtain certification.
National certification is generally done through the Pharmacy
Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the Institute for the
Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT). There is a fee required
in order to take the certification exam. Continuing education credits
may be required to maintain certification.
In addition to training and
certification, there are other factors that
may help increase the salary of a pharmacy technician. Additional
skills can increase value to an employer. This is especially true in
small organizations where employees may be expected to fill more than
one job.
The type of organization a
pharmacy tech chooses to work in can have a
significant impact on salary. Non-profit organizations, hospitals,
foundations and trusts, and the federal governments tend to offer
higher salaries. Teams, colleges and universities are on the lower end
of the salary range.
As with most jobs, experience
is a factor. Those just entering the
position of pharmacy tech can expect to make a salary on the lower end
of the scale. However, as experience grows, salary will follow. In many
cases, more experienced pharmacy technicians also benefit from a better
schedule with fewer nights, weekends and holidays.
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