Essentials to Know Before Working in a Pharmacy

So, you’ve set your career sights on working as a pharmacy technician, to apply your skills to support pharmacists and patients as they navigate their drug and health needs. Whether you’re considering pharmacy technician classes or have embarked on a pharmacy technician course in Ontario already, you want to consider what happens after graduation. Understanding how you’ll apply what you learn from a pharmacy tech course, is as essential as selecting the pharmacy technician school you’ll attend.

Working in a pharmacy is an incredible way to be a part of a dynamic healthcare team and a career move that offers benefits and rewards to you professionally and personally. Being informed will help you decide if this environment is right for you after you complete your pharmacy training courses.

Essentials to Know Before You Work in a Pharmacy

• Career Opportunities & Growth Potential Are Available – in this post-COVID world healthcare positions are on the rise and the need for pharmacy technicians is no exception. You can expect solid opportunities and good wages. And a position as a pharmacy tech has growth potential for ambitious professionals, particularly if you decide to apply your learning and connections to eventually becoming a pharmacist.

• Adaptability & Durability Are A Must – You will most likely work irregular hours, including night shifts and need to be flexible as you work your way up the ranks and build your career. As you gain seniority, you will most likely gain more control over your timetable. You also need to know that you’ll be standing for a good part of the day, so you’ll need to be fit and able to spend long hours on your feet.

• Job Settings Are As Varied As People Are – For outgoing sorts you can work upfront direct with patients and customers at retail pharmacies. For introverts there are hospital pharmacies or those that focus on phone orders. There is a pharmacy opportunity to suit every personality type.

• Communication Skills Are Key To Success – Even if you choose to work from behind the scenes, and especially if you’re front and centre with customers, you’ll need stellar, and professional, communication skills. You’ll need to interact with co-workers, answer patient questions, and conduct yourself in a professional manor.

• Your Education and Training Matter! – The requirements to become a pharmacy technician in Ontario are specific and the quality of the pharmacy technician programs you select from can make all the difference to your career. Ideally you want to select a program that is accredited, by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP). As a graduate, you want to be eligible to complete the necessary steps to become a regulated pharmacy technician in Ontario. These steps include completing Structured Practical Training (SPTs), the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) Jurisprudence exam, the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) qualifying exams and obtaining personal professional liability insurance. Regulation is mandatory to work as a pharmacy technician in any pharmacy in Ontario.

• Insurance Knowledge Must Be Your Buzz – You’ll need to have a knack for details and be keen to learn about the intricacies of insurance and the billing side of the pharmacy business. This, coupled with your ability to talk to customers, will help patients navigate the multi-levels of their pharmacy and health needs.

Take the “Anderson College Pharmacy Technician Career Discovery Quiz”

If these pharmacy essentials excite rather than daunt you, then you may have just realized this move is the right one for you. To learn more about Anderson College’s accredited Pharmacy Technician program you can visit here. Or if you connect with one of our Admissions Advisors, we can walk you right through the details and find the perfect fit for you with any one of our 30+ leading-edge programs. We’re here to help you find your next amazing career!

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