This role involves assisting senior pharmacists, filling prescriptions, dealing with customers, and managing inventory.
Overall, it can be a decent career; however, the question is, what makes it worth it? Let’s explore eight clear advantages of this career option along with some negatives.
Advantages of Becoming a Pharmacy Technician
1. Strong Job Outlook and Security
Despite pharmacies closing in the US, the job outlook for pharmacy technicians is strong and growing. In fact, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, this role is projected to grow by 7% from 2023 to 2033.
This means that there are about 47,400 job openings each year. The job security and stability are strong reasons to consider a career as a pharma tech.
2. Quick Entry into Healthcare
As mentioned at the start, you can become a certified pharmacy technician in under a year through various training programs.
This makes it an accessible entry point into the healthcare industry without requiring a lengthy and expensive formal degree.
Learn more about how to become a pharmacy technician here.
3. Online Training
Unlike other programs where you need to physically go to a class, you can learn and prepare for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCB or ExCPT) fully online.
With CCI Training Center’s Pharmacy Technician Program, you can get exam-ready in as few as 25 weeks.
4. Diverse Work Settings and Flexible Schedules
Unlike other healthcare roles, pharmacy technicians work in a variety of environments, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, mail-order pharmacies, long-term care facilities, and even some research facilities.
This diversity can offer flexible work schedules, including nights, swing shifts, and weekends, depending on the setting.
5. Competitive Salary
While you may not earn as much as a doctor, you’ll still get paid handsomely as a pharma tech.
The median pay is $43,460 per year or $20.90 per hour.
6. Career Advancement Opportunities
Another huge advantage of this role is that it acts as a foundation to springboard to other advanced careers.
With experience and education, you can also specialize in areas like:
- Oncology pharmacy
- Nuclear pharmacy
- Medication therapy management
7. You DO Make a Change
As a pharmacy technician, you will play a vital role in ensuring patients receive the correct medications and understand how to take them.
You contribute directly to patient safety and well-being, which can be highly rewarding. With pharmacists increasingly focusing on patient care activities, technicians are taking on more responsibilities in pharmacy operations.
8. Adapting to Technological Advancements
The pharmacy industry is rapidly adopting new technologies, including automation and artificial intelligence.
And as a pharmacy technician, you’ll be at the forefront of these changes, meaning you’ll be utilizing automated dispensing systems, electronic health records, and other digital tools.
This evolution means new opportunities to specialize in tech-related roles and a more efficient work environment.
Reasons Why You May NOT Want to Become a Pharmacy Technician
While this is a rewarding career, certain aspects associated with it may prevent you from pursuing pharmacy tech training.
- You should know that pharmacy technicians often work in fast-paced environments, which can be stressful.
- They also need to be extremely detail-oriented, as errors in dispensing medications can have serious consequences.
- Some positions may require working nights or weekends.
- Continuing education and recertification are required every two years to keep knowledge up-to-date, incurring fees that employers may not always reimburse.
Final Words
So, is it worth becoming a pharmacy technician? Absolutely!
Despite the fast-paced work and weekend shifts, becoming a pharmacy technician offers numerous advantages, including job stability, diverse opportunities, and a chance to make a real difference in patients’ lives.
Take the first step towards becoming a certified pharmacy technician with CCI Training Center.
