Are you a pharmacy technician? Planning to switch to a different field as a pharmacy technician? Are you wondering what are the different types of pharmacy technicians options available in the U.S.? You are in the right place.
In this article, you will learn more about the different types of pharmacy technicians options available and the places you can work as a pharmacy technician.
7 Different Types of Pharmacy Technicians
A pharmacy technician is a healthcare professional who works in a pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians perform tasks, such as mixing, measuring, counting pills, packing and delivering prescription orders, filling prescriptions, and maintaining inventory.
Pharmacy technicians have the opportunity to advance in the field of pharmacy by gaining experience, extra certifications, and the required qualifications. Some of the different types of pharmacy technicians options you can consider are as follows:
- Chemotherapy Pharmacy Technician.
- Compounding Pharmacy Technician.
- Pharmacy Technician Informaticist.
- Sterile Products Pharmacy Technician.
- Pharmacy Technician Instructor.
- Hospital Pharmacy Technician.
- Laboratory Pharmacy Technician.
Let’s now discuss the different types of pharmacy technician options in detail.
A CHEMOTHERAPY PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
The first that comes on the list of different types of pharmacy technicians is the Chemotherapy Pharmacy Technician. The main role of a Chemotherapy Pharmacy Technician is to administer and prepare chemotherapy medications for patients who are under a cancer treatment plan.
They are also responsible for managing supplies and stock inventory and purchasing additional supplies whenever required and creating admixtures under the guidance of a senior pharmacist.
A COMPOUNDING PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
The next on the list of the different types of pharmacy technicians is the Compounding Pharmacy Technician. The responsibility of a Compounding Pharmacy Technician is to mix different components to create a specific formulation of medications for patients. This is practiced in cases where the drugs available on the market do not suit the patient’s requirements.
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN INFORMATICIST
Generally, a Pharmacy Technician Informaticist is a specialist among pharmacy technicians who have an expert understanding of the technology systems being used in a pharmacy. Pharmacy technicians who specialize in becoming an informaticist understand the hardware and software requirements of the machines used in a pharmacy. They generally help a pharmacy whenever the system needs updated software or any other kind of repair.
STERILE PRODUCTS PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
Next on the list of the different types of pharmacy technicians comes the Sterile Products Pharmacy Technician. This role allows pharmacy technicians to work at an advanced level. Pharmacy Technicians, working in sterile compounding, perform tasks, such as creating IV infusions, in a clean room setting using an aseptic technique.
The pharmacy technician professional requires strong attention to detail and accuracy as a small mistake may lead to major consequences. They work in environments, such as infusion centers, hospitals, and compounding facilities. You need to have an in-depth knowledge of various federal, state, and non-governmental guidelines that regulate the practice.
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN INSTRUCTOR
A Pharmacy Technician Instructor teaches a vocational program. They also help students learn the skills required to dispense medications to patients with utmost accuracy. They are also responsible to educate students on the following details:
- Collection of paperwork.
- Best ways to measure and label prescriptions.
- Legal limits that a pharmacy technician must work under.
Pharmacy Technician Instructors require good teaching and presentation skills and have the required qualification as pharmacy technicians.
HOSPITAL PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
Next on the list of different types of pharmacy technicians is Hospital Pharmacy Technician. The main role of the Hospital Pharmacy Technician is to offer continuous care to patients in the emergency units, trauma centers, and operating rooms.
Generally, Hospital Pharmacy Technicians work in a hospital’s pharmaceutical units to help provide medications for patients. They most likely work in a fast-paced environment. They are also responsible for supervising medication preparation and delivery, and they ensure that all the patients receive medications quickly and correctly.
LABORATORY PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
Last but not the least, another type of pharmacy technician is Laboratory Pharmacy Technician. Laboratory Pharmacy Technicians generally work adjacent to laboratories. They help provide chemicals and medications to chemistry employees.
Moreover, Laboratory Pharmacy Technicians have management responsibilities, as well as they find and sorting chemicals for testing needs. They are responsible for maintaining an optimal environment for different kinds of chemicals in the storage area while ensuring that certain chemicals do not combine with other chemicals in the storage area.
Places a Pharmacy Technician Can Work
Now that you are well aware of the different types of pharmacy technicians, you might wonder where you can work as a pharmacy technician apart from your current workplace. As a pharmacy technician, you can switch to a different field in the field of pharmacy with the required qualification and training.
Here’s a list of some of the most common places a pharmacy technician can work:
- Drug stores.
- Hospitals and healthcare clinics.
- Nursing homes.
- Management.
- General merchandise stores.
- Retail, beverages, and food stores.
- Compounding and specialty pharmacies.
- Assisted living facilities.
- Pharmaceutical companies.
Wrapping Up
If you have been passionate about starting your career in the healthcare industry as a pharmacy technician, you have a lot of choices to choose from. Above are some of the different types of pharmacy technicians options available in the industry. You can choose the one that best suits you and your qualifications.
If you are considering pharmacy technician as your career or know someone who is interested in becoming a pharmacy technician, make sure to use our PTCB practice test free to help you with your exam preparation process.Â
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between a pharmacy tech and a pharmacist?
A pharmacy technician performs tasks, such as filling prescriptions, packing and delivering prescription orders, and counting, mixing, and measuring pills under the supervision of a pharmacist. Pharmacists supervise pharmacy technicians and ensure the accuracy and quality of the medications delivered by the pharmacy technician in the pharmacy.
How do I advance my pharmacy technician career?
There are various ways to advance in your career as a pharmacy technician. But the best way to advance in your pharmacy technician career is to complete the required education and training program, land a good job, gain experience, do extra certification courses relevant to your field, and apply for a new job relevant to your certification.
What is the future for pharmacy technicians?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians is projected to grow by about 5%. The number of job openings for a pharmacy technician between the years 2021 to 2031 is about 43,500. Considering this projection made by the BLS, the demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow in the future.
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