Pharmacy in jobs, news, schools

Technicians and assistants

by Nancy Saffer

n  the  past,  a  pharmacist probably filled the prescrip­tions you ordered. Today, although  pharmacists   are   on duty wherever medications are dispensed, a pharmacy techni­cian or pharmacy assistant of­ten does most of the work in pre­paring and selling prescriptions.

The role of pharmacy technicians and assistants has changed for a number of rea­sons. One reason is that using these work­ers minimizes health care costs. Another is that because pharmacy technicians and assistants handle routine work, pharma­cists are able to focus more on supervisory duties and patient care and advice.

This article describes what pharmacy technicians and assistants do, as well as where they work, what their job outlook is, how much they earn, and how they train for these careers. Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology

• Location: Dayton, Ohio
• Programs: Pharmacy Technician Diploma
• Quick Summary: This nine month program prepares students to work under the supervision of a pharmacist in preparation of medications.
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Lincoln Tech®

• Location: Allentown, Center City Philadelphia and Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Lincoln Rhode Island
• Programs: Pharmacy Technician
• Quick Summary: Classroom instruction, lab experience, and an internship teach students to mix medications, fill out insurance claims, and assist with filling prescriptions.
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Everest College

• Location: Alhambra, City of Industry, Ontario, Reseda, San Francisco, Torrance and West Los Angeles, California; Chicago, Merrionette Park, and Skokie, Illinois; Portland, Oregon; Arlington (Mid-Cities) and Ft. Worth, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Bremerton, Everett, Renton, and Tacoma Washington
• Programs: Pharmacy Technician
• Quick Summary: Learn the administrative and clinical aspects of pharmacy work, and prepare for an entry-level position in retail and hospital pharmacies, clinics and home IV facilities.
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Cambridge College

• Location: Beaverton, Oregon
• Programs: Pharmacy Technician diploma
• Quick Summary: This program teaches the duties of a pharmacy technician, including processing drug orders, maintaining inventory, and managing records. Students learn about pharmacy law, and practice their new skills in an externship.
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Career Centers of Texas

• Location: El Paso and Fort Worth, Texas
• Programs: Pharmaceutical Technician certificate
• Quick Summary: Prepare for the Certified Pharmacy Technician exam as you learn pharmacology, sterile processing and hospital and retail pharmacy procedures. Practice your new skills in a 160 hour externship.
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Ashworth College

• Location: Distance Learning Program
• Programs: Pharmacy Technology
• Quick Summary: Offered as a correspondence course or over the web, the Pharmacy Technology diploma program teaches terminology, pharmacy math and measurements, pharmaceutical dispensing, and inventory management.
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Where The Jobs Are

Pharmacy Technicians in Ohio tend to migrate toward Mansfield, Springfield, and Toledo where jobs for them are more common, relative to the population, than in other parts of the state. In contrast, there are proportionally fewer jobs for Pharmacy Technicians in Akron, Sandusky, and Cincinnati. Read more…