Projected growth in the field of Pharmacy technician is on the rise. In 2010 the need for pharmacy technicians that were educated and had accredited credentials were at an all-time high. As health care and population, growth explodes so does the need for pharmacy assistants. Salary growth is projected to rise throughout 2018. These figures are based on national projection forecasts and supply and demand growth of this exciting career.
Growth and Salary
Retail pharmacy stores employ Seven out of 10 perspective candidates, and two out of ten pharmacy technicians find employment in hospital and healthcare facilities. The remainder of applicants can be allocated to specialty positions that utilize their formal training.
In May 2008, the median hourly wage and salary offered to a candidate that possessed a formal degree or certificate certifying them as a pharmacy Assistant was $13.32 per hr. The middle percentile earned $10.98-$15.88. The bottom percentile earned less at the rate of $9.27 per hour. The top percentile earned a staggering $18.98 per hour. Growth from 2011-2018 will increase by a projected 25% margin. Belonging to a union such as in the healthcare industry allows for substantial increases in wages and benefits. A Pharmacy Assistant salary can be affected by the demographics that relate to the healthcare field.
Below,you can see the average annual salary for every State in the US, arranged highest to lowest.
| Alaska | $39,210 | Wisconsin | $28,180 |
| Washington | $37,290 | Maine | $28,160 |
| California | $37,280 | Louisiana | $28,110 |
| Hawaii | $34,920 | Florida | $27,890 |
| District of Columbia | $34,850 | Michigan | $27,620 |
| Nevada | $34,230 | Virgin Islands | $27,580 |
| Oregon | $34,080 | Delaware | $27,570 |
| Wyoming | $31,960 | New Hampshire | $27,560 |
| North Dakota | $31,820 | Tennessee | $27,530 |
| Connecticut | $31,470 | Pennsylvania | $27,470 |
| Utah | $31,340 | Georgia | $27,410 |
| Minnesota | $31,140 | Iowa | $27,220 |
| Colorado | $30,930 | Kansas | $27,060 |
| Arizona | $30,680 | Indiana | $26,920 |
| Massachusetts | $30,610 | Nebraska | $26,700 |
| New York | $30,470 | North Carolina | $26,690 |
| New Jersey | $30,350 | South Carolina | $26,600 |
| Maryland | $30,230 | Ohio | $26,150 |
| Montana | $30,040 | Missouri | $26,140 |
| Texas | $29,920 | Kentucky | $24,920 |
| Illinois | $29,500 | Alabama | $24,810 |
| Idaho | $29,500 | Mississippi | $24,650 |
| Rhode Island | $29,470 | Oklahoma | $24,380 |
| New Mexico | $29,190 | Arkansas | $24,190 |
| Vermont | $29,130 | Guam | $24,100 |
| South Dakota | $28,310 | West Virginia | $24,020 |
| Virginia | $28,290 | Puerto Rico | $20,140 |
Occupation: Pharmacy Technicians
Period: May 2010
Source: bls.gov
What Qualities Should a Prospective Pharmacy Assistant Technician Possess
Candidates that pursue this course of employment careers should be friendly and offer a feeling of concern that is recognized by clients that use the Pharmacy they are employed. Candidates should be attentive to high detailed information and be able to convey a high degree of origination and specific task orientated enthusiasm. A Pharmacy Technician needs strong organization skills and needs to be focused at all times. (People’s lives can be at risk). Math skills, written communication, and following directions are quality’s traits sought by prospective employers in this field and line of work. All Pharmacy Assistant Salary is affected by the knowledge and expertise that a prospective candidate shows on their resume.
The Responsibilities of a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians are primarily responsible for the following:
• Facilitate in receiving and taken written prescription orders from patients and their representatives. These tasks will include drop off prescriptions, prescription pickup.
• Verifying and making sure that all prescriptions are accurate and correct.
• Filing and keeping an accurate form of organization of client’s files.
• Preparing prescription labels.
• Counting, weighing and sometimes mixing medicines that are checked by a certified pharmacist.
• Counter and patient help. Mostly to include cash and purchase transactions.
• Drug inventory.
• Refer any patient questions to Pharmacists.
• Establish patient profiles and needs.
• Delivery of medicines in some settings.
• Stocking.
Some complex tasks will take a certified pharmacist to verify and check the work or results of a Pharmacy Assistant Technician. Depending on responsibility and duties performed, the
Pharmacy Assistant Salary can be affected. Formal education is a major asset in regards to the duties allowed to be performed by the governing certified Pharmacist that oversees the work of an assistant or technician. Pharmacy Assistant jobs vary in complexity and confidence that are utilized by the pharmacy.
Pharmacy Technicians that wish to be certified must be certified by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. The National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination provides an in-depth assurance of the abilities and knowledge possessed and retained by the individual taking the certification exam. Prospective Pharmacy Assistant Technicians who excel by passing this test present and represent the skills needed to be a Pharmacy Assistant Technician. Employers that see this qualification recognize its authority and employment opportunities are much vaster. Technicians must be re-certified every two years to retain this distinction. Technicians must also take 20 hours of contact ongoing adult education related to this field of employment. One hour of contact education is mandatory in Pharmacy Law. Up to 10 contact hours can be obtained from being directly supervised by a Certified Pharmacist.
Future Advancement and Possibilities for the Certified Pharmacy Assistant Technician
Advancement to a higher position as a Certified Pharmacy Assistant Technician can be found in many forms. The most obvious reasons are the issues associated with a Pharmacy Assistant Salary raise. Pharmacy Assistant Salary raises are accomplished through hard work and dedication to the professional company you are employed. Raises happen and are given when an amount of time has passed that proves the employee to be an asset to the company. A company offering a Pharmacy Assistant Salary raise makes the statement that the employee has what it takes to contribute growth and development to their business. A Certified Pharmacy Assistant Technician may choose to latter pursues a career as a Certified Pharmacist. The opportunities to progress are promising and with commitment and education, the goal is fully attainable. Education is the main key to becoming what you desire.