Fulfilling Future Careers for Pharmacy Technician Graduates

An aging population with an eye on living longer and healthier, means more pharmaceuticals, and in turn, for those looking to explore pharmacy technician programs, a huge opportunity. Pharmacy technicians support the pharmacist by helping to fill prescriptions, measuring and mixing medications, retrieving patients’ medical history and even working directly with doctor’s offices, and this makes them an invaluable asset to this healthcare team.

If you’re considering pharmacy technician school, pharmacy technician classes, or taking a pharmacy tech course, you’ll want to select a leading-edge, accredited program that ensures you’re trained to be career ready and in demand. But exactly what career-opportunity doors will you have the option to open? We thought exploring these four, in depth, may help you recognize the extraordinary future that could be yours as a pharm tech grad.

4 Fulfilling Future Career Opportunities for You as a Pharmacy Technician

The opportunities in this career field are varied, from working behind the scenes, for those who enjoy solo work, to frontline with patients and engaging in community. You can often choose the hours and schedule you work and, while in all cases you will work under a registered pharmacist, if you’re looking for flexibility, this is a terrific choice. Your top career options:

1. Retail Pharmacy

Working in a retail pharmacy is a key placement for many in this career. You may work in national chain stores, mass merchandisers or in grocery stores (think Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, Safeway). The hours are flexible and vary by location. Your job responsibilities can cover processing prescriptions, communicating with health insurance companies, doing inventory, administrative duties and organizing and cleaning. Retail pharmacies offer a fast-paced environment during the day. Some locations will be open 24 hours and, of course, evening shifts will be slower. Schedules can vary and you’ll be required to rotate the days and times you work, but most offer terrific benefits.

2. Specialty/Compounding Pharmacies

At a compounding pharmacy, medications are customized to suit the individual patient’s need. These locations are often smaller and independently owned. A pharmacy technician working in this environment will need to acquire specialized knowledge and have the ability to understand the compounding techniques and processes to effectively assist the pharmacist. Because specialized knowledge is required, this position can come with a higher wage. Other than the compounding factor, the work environment works the same as other retail stores, so the job duties are the same.

At a specialty pharmacy, there is a focus on working with patients and physicians to provide medications for chronic or more severe illnesses. Patients often require complex treatment therapies and as a pharmacy technician you will support the pharmacist who provides the regimented medication protocols. While you will still be performing the duties as you would in a retail pharmacy, you may be required to provide more detailed education and patient care services to support on a more in-depth level.

3. Hospital, Clinics, Long-Term Care Facilities

In a hospital setting you will spend most of your time preparing prescriptions. The main difference between a retail and hospital pharmacy, is that you will prep prescribed medications in single doses. In hospitals, as well as clinics and long-term care facilities, you’ll work in the drug-dispensing department. And in addition to preparing prescriptions, you may also fill syringes or prepare IV solutions. Schedules are usually on a routine, but these facilities are open 24 hours a day, so you can expect graveyard shifts as well as daytime. You can also expect a higher salary, with good benefits.

4. Mail-Order Pharmacies

This delivery system for pharmaceuticals is becoming more common as it allows prescriptions to be processed at a high volume. Most commonly prescribed medications such as heart and cholesterol meds, blood thinners and pain killers can be dispensed by machines. Pharmacy technicians in this position must know how to run the dispensing machines, and thus a know-how for computers. Your responsibilities include operating the computers that operate the machines and providing general upkeep and maintenance. You will also communicate with patients over the phone and communicate with insurance companies.

As you often deal with long-term prescriptions, the number of them are generally low, which offers a more paced working environment, and you could enjoy weekends and holidays off. Pay is comparable to retail pharmacies.
_________________________________________________________________________

At Anderson College you can engage in a pharmacy technician course in Ontario that is accredited by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) and has a track record for success. Our pharmacy training courses are taught by industry experts, and we blend technical training with hands-on experience and a practicum with potential employers.

If you’re ready to explore Anderson College’s Pharmacy Technician program, we had the opportunity to interview our Program Director and she gives all the insights you’ll need on the program offerings, what students find most rewarding (and challenging) and where this career can take your life.

If you’re still exploring your options, take the “Anderson College Pharmacy Technician Career Training Readiness Quiz”. No matter what stage in the process you’re at, we’re here to help you find the best fit for the next leap in your career and life. Book a virtual appointment with our admissions team today.

Quick Links to Fuel Your Success!

We want to make sure you have what you need to succeed! Check out these reference links:

• Pharmacy Technician Course & Program at Anderson (andersoncollege.com)
• CCAPP – Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs
• Home – PEBC
• Home – OCPInfo.com
• Expert Insights on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician – Interview with our Program Coordinator