Wed, Feb 2nd, 2011 @ 12:00 am

A pharmacy technician is a professional that works in a pharmacy, under the careful supervision of a pharmacist. These professionals are absolutely vital to the efficiency and success of a pharmacy. Completing a reputable pharmacy technician program leads to a rewarding career in the health care industry as a pharmacy technician.

A Day in the Life of a Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians are responsible for a variety of important tasks. These professionals accept and prepare patient prescriptions, which includes collecting the medication and printing prescription labels. Pharmacy technicians also double check that a medication is safe for a patient to take and will not negatively interact with other medications that patient is currently taking.

Pharmacy technicians also maintain patient records, and in pharmacies that lack pharmacy aides, may also carry out many clerical tasks. These technicians may handle the cash register, answer phones, and stock inventory.

In a hospital setting, pharmacy technicians also receive and fill prescriptions. Additional duties include preparing patient medications for nurses to administer and record this in the patient's chart.

Most pharmacy technicians find work in retail pharmacies, which are usually found in grocery stores, drug stores, or other retailers. Some technicians also work in hospitals, health clinics, home care agencies, government facilities, pharmaceutical wholesalers, or are employed by online pharmacies. Some technicians even go into pharmaceutical sales upon graduation or after receiving adequate experience on the job. There are a variety of places where these professionals can seek employment after receiving the proper training.

How Does Pharmacy Technician School Prepare Students to Begin Their Career?

Attending the right pharmacy technician school is imperative to beginning a rewarding career. Schools like SJVC provide students with the knowledge and training they need to successfully enter the pharmacy field.

The SJVC pharmacy technician program trains students in the areas of pharmacology, data entry, pharmacy science and application, prescription processing, and in the laws and ethics associated with pharmacology. Students will receive their education in the classroom, as well as in the lab, which will provide students with valuable hands on training.

Not every pharmacy technician school is the same. The goal of SJVC is to give students the tools they need to become the best pharmacy technician they can possibly be. For the most successful career, students must choose a program that is as dedicated to their success as they are themselves.