Pharmacy Tech - A Recession Busting Career Choice

An aging population and increase in demand for prescription drugs are helping to make a career as a pharmacy technician a very secure choice. In fact, employment of pharmacy techs is expected to increase 32 percent by 2016, according to a 2008-2009 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Are you ready for a career in this growing field?

"There are numerous factors propelling demand for medication," says Richard Nunez, department chair and certified pharmacy technician at Everest College in San Francisco. “First, Americans are living longer than ever and need more medical treatments. Advances in medical technology are also producing more prescription drugs. The combination of these two factors is putting a real strain on the pharmaceutical industry to meet demand.”

There were 3.5 billion prescriptions filled in 2008, up from 3.4 billion in 2006, and that is expected to continue to rise every year, according to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

Nunez links this growth of the pharmaceutical industry to demographic changes. "The growing need for prescription drugs is one of the long-term side effects of the aging baby-boom generation. The pharmaceutical industry is one of many industries in healthcare that is feeling the repercussions," says Nunez.

Nunez links this growth of the pharmaceutical industry to demographic changes. "The growing need for prescription drugs is one of the long-term side effects of the aging baby-boom generation. The pharmaceutical industry is one of many industries in healthcare that is feeling the repercussions," says Nunez.

"Pharmacy technicians are one way the profession is responding to this need for workers," he adds. "They really play a crucial role in a pharmacy. In many ways, the work of pharmacy technicians complements that of pharmacists. Pharmacy technicians help patients, explain dosages, update patient information, and help with labeling and filling prescriptions."

Pharmacy technicians are one of the fastest growing professions in the U.S. right now. According to the National Pharmacy Technician Association, more than 39,000 pharmacy technician jobs open up each year.

Yet with increased demand, Nunez explains that the role of pharmacy technicians is changing. "Pharmacists just do not have the time to do everything themselves. Pharmacy technicians have to step in to fill multiple roles," he says. Nunez explains that pharmacy technicians will begin to assume responsibilities for a range of tasks that were previously reserved for pharmacists or pharmacy aides.

"The profession has really had to develop in response to this need," says Nunez. "Pharmacy technicians are no longer seen as simply assistants to pharmacists, but as full-fledged pharmaceutical professionals."

Pharmacists have to focus more on patient care, and pharmacy technicians refer questions regarding prescriptions, drug information or health matters to them. Pharmacy technicians are responsible for measuring, recording and labeling medications, and they are also taking on more administrative duties, including updating patient profiles, preparing insurance claims and taking inventory of pharmacy stock.

As the responsibilities of pharmacy technicians grow, obtaining certification is also becoming more important. "Although pharmacy technicians have traditionally received on-the-job training, employers are increasingly looking for employees who have a prior professional degree," says Drew Jones, pharmacy program director and certified pharmacy technician at Everest College in City of Industry, Calif.

More importantly, Jones explains that better training could lead to more professional opportunities. "The shortage of pharmacists opens up opportunities for better-qualified pharmacy technicians to take on more responsibilities," says Jones.

"We recognize the importance of this career in helping keep Americans healthy. Pharmacy technicians have become a crucial part of the pharmacy team, and we really stress the career`s potential to our students. They come to us to be part of an accredited program, because they recognize the new opportunities the career offers for qualified employees," says Jones. (Courtesy of ARAcontent)

To learn more about career opportunities as a pharmacy technician, visit Everest College.

Train To Become A Pharmacy Technician

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Explore accredited Pharmacy Technician schools and request additional information about requirements, tuition, financial aid, and start dates directly from schools offering programs that match your interests:
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Ultimate Medical Academy Online

Online

Boost your career with an education from Ultimate Medical Academy Online. We offer career-focused training in dental assisting, nursing assisting, medical billing and coding, basic x-ray, and more. Programs take as little as seven weeks.

Programs:

• Pharmacy Technician Diploma
• Pharmacy Technician - Associates

Institute of Business & Medical Careers

Campus

Get your career started at Institute of Business & Medical Careers. We offer certificate and degree programs in business, health care, legal, and massage. Finish your education in 19 months or less!

Programs:

• Pharmacy Technician

Campus Locations:

Longmont
Cheyenne
Greeley
Fort Collins

Heald College

Campus

Heald College offers 18-month associate degree programs that will prepare you for a career in Business, Technology, or Healthcare. Small class sizes, hands-on instruction.

Programs:

• Pharmacy Technology

Campus Locations:

Milpitas
Roseville
Honolulu
Portland
Salinas
Hayward
San Francisco
Fresno
Rancho Cordova
Concord

Health Training Center

Campus

Advance your career with Health Training Center. We offer accelerated certificate programs for careers in the medical field, including medical assisting, medical billing and coding, pharmacy technician, EKG technician, phlebotomy, and more.

Programs:

• Pharmacy Technician

Campus Locations:

Worcester
North Attleboro
Lynn
Framingham
Stoughton
Chelmsford
Cambridge

Carrington College California

Campus

Carrington College California offers the programs you need to begin a career in healthcare. Choose from Healthcare, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, or Veterinary Services.

Programs:

• AS in Pharmacy Technology

Campus Locations:

Pomona
Antioch
Emeryville
Citrus Heights
Sacramento
San Jose
Stockton
San Leandro
Pleasant Hill

Daymar Institute

Campus

We Change Lives... One Person At A Time®. We offer certificate, associate degree, and bachelor's degree programs for careers in a variety of fields, including medical, criminal justice, computer technology, and business.

Programs:

• Pharmacy Technology

Campus Locations:

Clarksville

Allied Schools

Campus

Considering a new career or need additional job training? Whether you want to train for a new career, advance within your current company, or simply learn new skills to stay competitive in today's job market, Allied's distance education training can help! Because the courses are offered online and through traditional distance education, the stress associated with driving to and attending a live class is eliminated. Start your new career training today, start it with Allied Schools.

Programs:

• Pharmacy Technician Program

Campus Locations:

Laguna Hills

American Career College

Campus

American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California. ACC's programs combine classroom lectures and hands-on training to prepare students for a Diploma or Associate of Occupational Science degree.

Programs:

• Pharmacy Technician

Campus Locations:

Ontario
Anaheim
Los Angeles

Fortis Institute

Campus

Looking to prepare for your dream career? Fortis Institute can give you the skills and training you need to succeed in the fast-growing and high-demand healthcare field. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information * Fortis Institute - Indianapolis advertising code is AC-0163.

Programs:

• Pharmacy Technology - Associate
• Pharmacy Technician
• Pharmacy Technician/Assistant

Campus Locations:

Winter Park
Erie
Orange Park
Hyattsville
Kingston
Miami
Baton Rouge
Dothan
Wayne
Cookeville
Montgomery
Mobile
Smyrna
Nashville

Everest College

Campus

Develop the skills to succeed in today's highly competitive business environment. Everest College can prepare you for a rewarding career in some of today's hottest fields.

Programs:

• Diploma - Pharmacy Technician

Campus Locations:

Milwaukee
Denver
Earth City
LA Puente
Alhambra
Melrose Park
Everett
Salt Lake City
Chesapeake
Kansas City
Bedford Park
Reseda
Renton
Bremerton
Portland
Arlington
San Francisco
Aurora
Tacoma
Los Angeles
Santa Ana
Torrance
Ontario
Atlanta

Kaplan Career Institute

Campus

ICM School of Business & Medical Careers provides career-based degrees to students wishing to work in the fields of Business & Computers, Medical Services, Fashion, or Tourism.

Programs:

• Diploma: Pharmacy Technician

Campus Locations:

Broomall
Cleveland
Detroit

Kaplan College - KHE

Campus

Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.

Programs:

• Diploma: Pharmacy Technician

Campus Locations:

Dayton
Las Vegas

Sanford-Brown College

Campus

Get the skills you need in Tech, Business, or Healthcare in as little as 9 months from Sanford-Brown College. Choose from convenient day, evening, and weekend classes. Learn more today.

Programs:

• Pharmacy Technology
• Pharmacy Technician
• Dialysis Technology

Campus Locations:

Phoenix
Columbus
Indianapolis
Collinsville

Charter College

Campus

Prepare for a better career and a brighter future with help from Charter College. Our accelerated Bachelors Degree, Associates Degree, and Certificate programs are designed to help you complete your education as quickly as possible. We offer year-round classes and flexible scheduling - study anytime from anywhere. Our small class sizes and dedicated instructors ensure a personalized education experience. We provide students not only with the technical skills necessary for success, but also job search and placement assistance so you can find the job that's right for you after graduation.

Programs:

• Pharmacy Technician

Campus Locations:

Canyon Country
Oxnard
Lancaster
Vancouver

The Salter School

Campus

Take advantage of the Salter's School's career-focused education and get on track to a new career in the technology or medical services field.

Programs:

• Pharmacy Tech

Campus Locations:

New Bedford