PHARMACY
Pharmacy Technician
To be a successful Pharmacy Technician you should...
be able to perform repetitious work accurately, be able to deal pleasantly and tactfully with customers, be willing and able to take directions, enjoy precise work because details are sometimes a matter of life and death, be able to work on your own without constant instruction from the pharmacist, possess good math skills, have the ability to see slight differences in color and size, possess the ability to use your hands and fingers to move small objects.
What will my job be like?
Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients. Pharmacy technicians label and fill prescriptions, order and maintain the pharmacy’s stock levels, fill unit-dose medication carts, package and repackage medications, and deliver prepared medications. Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of licensed pharmacists.
Where could I work?
Pharmacy technicians work in hospital and community pharmacies, extended care facilities, home health care, and industry.
Pharmacy technicians work the same hours as pharmacists. This includes evenings, nights, weekends, and some holidays. Most technicians work 35-45 hours a week. Since some hospital and retail pharmacies are open 24 hours a day, technicians and assistants may work varying shifts. There are many opportunities for part-time work in both retail and hospital settings.
Other workplace settings:
- Clinics
- Health Maintenance Organizations
- Retail Drug Chains
Average Annual Salary
$40,300 per year
What is the future of this career?
Employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 47,400 openings for pharmacy technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Type of Education/Training
Although most pharmacy technicians receive informal on-the-job training, employers favor those who have completed formal training. Six-month to two-year training programs are available and lead to a certificate, diploma, or associate degree.
Pharmacy technicians are trained in applied science degree programs at community colleges.
Where could I get the education/training?
- CT State Asnuntuck
- CT State Capital
- CT State Gateway
- CT State Housatonic
- CT State Manchester
- CT State Middlesex
- CT State Naugatuck Valley
- CT State Northwestern
- CT State Three Rivers
- CT State Tunxis
- University of Connecticut
Licensing/Certification
Licensure is not required in the State of Connecticut, however, you must work under direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
More Information
American Association of Pharmacy Technicians
PO Box 391043
Omaha, NE 68139
336-252-8761
