How to become a pharmacy tech

The basics: what is a pharmacy tech?

Ever interacted with a helpful person at a pharmacy counter? These individuals are often pharmacy technicians. They’re healthcare pros who skillfully navigate tasks under the guidance of a licensed pharmacist.

From filling prescriptions to managing patient records, a pharmacy tech’s role is multifaceted, which makes each day unique.

And here’s something interesting: your role as a pharmacy tech can vary, depending on the pharmacy setting. This means becoming a pharmacy tech isn’t just about securing a job. It’s about stepping into an ever-evolving role in the healthcare industry.

A day in the life: roles and responsibilities of a pharmacy tech

• Counting and measuring medications
• Mixing medication compounds
• Refilling prescriptions
• Packaging and labeling prescriptions
• Collecting patient info and payments
• Recording patient medical records
• Managing medication inventory
• Processing insurance paperwork
• Helping with vaccinations
• Operating automated dispensing systems
• Counseling patients about prescription medications
• Organizing inventory and reordering drugs
• Handling phone calls
• Arranging pharmacist consultations

Looking toward your future: pharmacy tech career prospects

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggests demand for pharmacy technicians is set to boom, with a projected rise of 22,400 jobs from 2021 to 2031. That's an impressive 5% leap from 447,300 pharmacy techs in 2021 to over 469,700 in 2031.

Why? A potent mix that includes an aging population, a constant influx of new prescription drugs, and relentless drug research and development, propels this career growth. And investing time and effort in certification programs, like those from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), can turbocharge your career trajectory.

While a career as a pharmacy tech might seem like a big commitment—20 hours of continuing education each year, renewing every two years—it's the potential payoff that makes it a worthy investment. Plus, with 13 unique credential training programs offered by the PTCB, there's a good fit for everyone.

Work environment

Now, with such promising job prospects, where might you put those newly minted skills to work? As a pharmacy tech, your work environment can vary greatly.

• Bustling retail settings, like CVS or Walgreens, where interacting with customers is part of your daily routine
• A more intimate ambiance of a private pharmacy, fostering a sense of community and personalized care
• Hospital pharmacies, where you'll collaborate with a team of healthcare professionals and extend your responsibilities beyond what is typical in a retail setting
• Long-term healthcare facilities and mental health facilities, where your role becomes vital to ensuring patients receive their medications accurately and in the right dosages

Earning potential: a pharmacy tech’s financial outlook

Curious about pharmacy tech’s earning potential? It’s rewarding, especially considering the minimal time and debt investment compared to lengthy college courses.

According to the BLS, pharmacy techs earned a median annual salary of $36,740 in May 2021, which equates to roughly $17.66 per hour.

• For a broader perspective, technicians in the top 10% income bracket exceeded $47,580 annually, while those in the lower 10% earned less than $28,740.
• Pharmacy techs in hospitals and care facilities typically out-earn their retail counterparts.

Navigating the pharmacy tech pathway: state to state, skill to skill

Every journey begins with a step, and the pharmacy tech journey starts with checking your state’s requirements. The PTCB lists all the details for each state and territory, including Washington, DC.

• Education and training:
• Often, the ticket to this career path is a high school diploma or a GED. Some states, like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, keep it simple with no additional requirements. Others, however, like Texas and Washington, up the ante with a requirement for national certification and registration or licensing.
• Certification usually involves passing a certification exam and clearing a criminal background check and drug screening test. Seem daunting? It's just about maintaining the integrity of the healthcare field.
• Does your state require prospective pharmacy technicians to complete a pharmacy technician program? If yes, then you have two options: a quick, 6–12-month pharmacy technician certification program from a community college or vocational school or a more comprehensive associate degree program.
• On-the-job training (OJT) is another pathway. If allowed by your state and offered by an employer, it provides hands-on experience, allowing you to learn while you earn.

Soft skills:

• Good communication skills aren't just nice-to-haves—they're must-haves. Patience and empathy are key here, too.
• Patients might be stressed, anxious, or scared about the medications they've been prescribed. Calmness and clear communication will help put them at ease.
• And let's not forget the importance of being detail-oriented. When dealing with medications, accuracy isn't an option— it's a necessity. One small error could result in serious consequences for a patient.

The journey begins here

You've taken the first step toward a rewarding healthcare career. You've mulled over the ins and outs of becoming a pharmacy tech, assessed the job outlook, done your research on salaries, and navigated the route to certification.

Sound like a lot? Well, you've done it. And now you're ready to get started.