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Pharmacy Technician: Degrees and Jobs for Military & Veterans

Pharmacy Technician: Degrees and Jobs for Military & Veterans

Pharmacy Technicians assist pharmacists in preparing and dispensing prescription medication. Pharmacy Technicians (also known as Pharmacy Techs or PTs) may work directly with customers, patients, or healthcare professionals to dispense medications. Pharmacy technicians may work in retail pharmacies, including those located in drugstores and hospitals. Pharmacy technicians also work in various settings, including grocery stores, acute care facilities, nursing homes, and managed care clinics.

While two-thirds of pharmacy technicians work in retail pharmacies, they also work in facilities where they become an integral part of the healthcare team, working directly with nurses, doctors, and fellow technicians.

Pharmacy techs work under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist and assist in all aspects of preparing prescription medications.

Pharmacy Tech Responsibilities

Pharmacy tech responsibilities may include:
  • Pharmacy management
  • Customer/client engagement
  • Interact with insurance companies
  • Medication preparation
  • Dispensing prescriptions
  • Drug-use review
  • Fill automated dispensing machines
  • Storage
  • Pharmacy equipment and facilities maintenance
  • Maintain proper inventory levels
 

Pharmacy Tech Training

Each state board of pharmacy determines requirements within their state. Many states require licensure of pharmacy techs. Licensure requirements are vastly varied and may include:
  • a high school diploma or GED
  • passing a criminal background check
  • passing a drug test
  • graduation from a 3-9 month training program accredited by the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists
  • passage of a licensure/certification exam
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of employed Pharmacy Technicians to grow faster than average over the next decade. Increased demand for prescription medications and an aging population lends itself for increased demand for pharmaceutical services.

Pharmacy techs play a critical role within the ever-expanding pharmacy practice. A fully trained pharmacy tech is considered valuable in health care.

Pharmacy Technician Preparation Courses

Pharmacy Technician preparation courses may include:
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmaceutical Calculations
  • Business and Regulatory
  • Compounding and Prescriptions
 

Job Opportunities

Education and a career in the pharmacy field may be especially beneficial for military spouses, as they are certain to secure excellent job opportunities across their many moves with a certificate or degree from a well-respected program. Don’t forget about the MyCAA Program for military spouses.

GI Bill-approved Schools with Pharmacy Technician Programs

Ready to Embark on a Career as a Pharmacy Technician? Check out these great programs at these GI Bill®-approved schools.  Partner schools may be included and have compensated CollegeRecon for promotional consideration.

Career Step

Offers an Online Pharmacy Technician Training Program. This program offers self-paced study, which can be completed in as little as 12 months.  For more info, please visit the CareerStep profile page.



Concorde Career College

Offers two Pharmacy Technician programs. Students can earn a Pharmacy Technician Diploma or students can earn an Associate Of Applied Science Degree for Pharmacy Tech. Concorde Career College participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.  For more info, please visit the Concorde Career College profile page.



Looking to Become an Expert in the Field?

Pharmacists must have a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), a four-year professional degree. They must also be licensed, which requires passing state-specific exams.

Some undergraduate programs offer Pre-Pharmacy tracks of study. These programs help ensure students receive a solid educational foundation in the sciences and other essentials, such as internships and career counseling. Undergraduate Pre-Pharmacy programs help ensure that students are well-prepared for and readily accepted into a graduate Pharmacy program. 

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