Top Jobs: Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
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Published December 13, 2009 M. Keith Hodges, a community pharmacist for 20 years, is still happy with his career choice. “I’m able to forge close relationships with patients, and can truly make a difference in their lives,” he says. His work is at one of the nation’s 23,000 independent pharmacies. Most pharmacists work in independent or chain retail drugstores, and others work in hospitals, nursing homes or health clinics. They provide medications directly to patients or help physicians in many specialties choose the right drugs. For example, a pharmacist might consult with an oncologist to provide the best drug combination to treat a patient with cancer.Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists prepare prescriptions and labels, inventory drugs or assist customers in the retail pharmacy. The need for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians is growing much faster than most jobs. “People are living longer and requiring more medications,” says Sandi Tschritter, director of the pharmacy technician program at Spokane Community College in Washington. This has increased the need for prescriptions and pharmacists. If there’s a shortage of pharmacists, there’s even more need for pharmacy technicians to help with many tasks around the pharmacy. License Required Naturally, handling prescription drugs requires a license. Tschritter says that more states now are requiring certification and professional training of pharmacy technicians to obtain a license. “Our certificate program is sufficient to practice in our state,” she says. “Our state also requires that graduates take and pass a national certification exam,” adds Tschritter. Spokane’s certificate program includes a combination of classroom and experience in both community and hospital pharmacy settings. Some students also receive an associate degree, but it’s not required. As the person who oversees the medication handling and dispensing, the pharmacist requires more education. “The minimum number of years is five, but the total varies among pharmacy schools,” says Hodges. Pharmacists must earn a Doctor of Pharmacy, or Pharm.D., degree, and pass a national exam to receive a license. Before entering pharmacy school, students need a basic understanding of math and natural sciences such as biology, chemistry and physics. Their training includes time in a variety of pharmacy settings, working under the supervision of experienced, licensed pharmacists. More Than Counting Pills These careers offer work in a number of locations, opportunities for advancement and the chance to specialize in a certain type of drug therapy. So there’s a lot of variety. Tschritter, who has been a pharmacy technician for 27 years, worked mostly in a hospital setting. “I was the buyer for a local hospital for 11 of those years,” she says. “I enjoyed the variety of the work we did at the hospital; it wasn’t the same every day.” She also has worked with chemotherapy drugs, inventory, nursing home medication preparation and intravenous drug mixtures. Now she’s in charge of a program that teaches other pharmacy technicians. She says that pharmacy technicians can advance into similar fields, such as narcotic technicians, clinical technicians or buyers. They also can move into supervision. Pharmacists also can advance from the staff to supervision level. Some may move into research, production or marketing positions. Others love staying in the community pharmacy and having regular interaction with patients and customers. “A thank you and a smile make it all worthwhile,” says Hodges. Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians Pay: Pharmacists earned an average of $94,520 in 2006, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those who worked in department and grocery stores reported slightly higher earnings than hospital pharmacists. The BLS listed pharmacy technician wages at an average of $12.32 an hour in 2006; hospitals paid slightly more to technicians than drug stores. Skills: Pharmacy technicians must be able to type at a minimum level and perform math skills at a college entrance level or higher. People skills and a good work ethic are important. Up Side: Helping people get well; getting to know patients. Downside: Lots of standing. Hospital shifts can include nights, weekends and holidays. - Written By Teresa Odle |