Do you have an interest in pharmaceuticals? If so, the fact that it will take you six years or longer to become a pharmacist has probably caused you to shy away from the field. After all, six years is a long time to commit to going to school. So, if you are interested in working with pharmaceuticals, but you want to get started in a career in less than six years, you might want to consider pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician.

Exploring the Duties of the Pharmacy Technician

As a pharmacy technician, many of your duties will be quite similar to those of a pharmacist. In fact, your job as a pharmacy technician is to assist the pharmacist with providing medication and other types of healthcare products to patients. Some of the duties that are typically assigned to pharmacy technicians include:

· Counting tablets
· Labeling bottles
· Answering phones
· Stocking shelves
· Operating cash registers

When it comes to questions about prescriptions, the pharmacy technician is responsible for referring the patient to the pharmacist. But, depending upon the state, the pharmacy technician may be able to take on additional duties as well. Some additional duties a pharmacy technician may perform include:

· Verifying prescription information
· Pouring, measuring and mixing medication
· Price and file the prescription
· Prepare insurance claim forms
· Maintain patient profiles

Although a pharmacy technician may be called upon to mix and prepare prescriptions, the pharmacist is still responsible for checking the medication to make certain the prescription has been filled properly.
The exact duties of a pharmacy technician may also vary according to where the technician is employed. Some typical places of employment for pharmacy technicians include assisted-living facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, retail establishments and drug stores. In some of these settings, such as in nursing homes and hospitals, pharmacy technicians may be called upon to fill prescriptions for patients that will be used over a 24 hour period of time. This way, the medication is ready for the nurses and other medical staff to provide to the patient throughout the day and night.
The Job and Income Outlook for Pharmacy Technicians

As with all fields within the medical industry, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow faster than the average occupation. This is partly due to the improvements in healthcare, which have helped people live longer and more effectively battle illnesses, as well as the general increase in population. There is also an increase in the number of younger individuals using prescription medication, which further increases the demand for qualified pharmacy technicians.

Although it is possible to receive on-the-job-training in order to become a pharmacy technician, most employers prefer hiring those who have completed certification courses. These courses can usually be completed in less than a year, with most only lasting a few months.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median hourly wage for pharmacy technicians was $12.32 in 2006. Based on a 40 hour work week, this comes to about $25,625.60 per year. Those working general medical and surgical hospitals earned the most, with an hourly median wage of $13.86. Those employed in grocery stores earned a median hourly salary of $12.78, while those working in pharmacies and drug stores earned an average of $11.50 per hour.