Where to find pharmacy technician jobs

The UMA Blog covers information at the intersection of healthcare, education and employment. Our contributors are intimately familiar with a wide range of subjects covering professional development, career advancement, workplace politics, healthcare industry specific topics, personal finance, and education. In: Job Search Advice. The BLS has projected that employment of pharmacy technicians will grow by 4 percent from to This is as fast as the average growth expected across all occupations.

Pharmacy techs work in hospitals, retail pharmacies, compounding pharmacies, and care homes, as well as in other settings. The first step on your journey to securing a pharmacy technician position is to work out exactly what the requirements are for this role. Gaining a PCTB certification could be mandatory before you begin operating. As a first-time pharm tech, you might not have any real-world experience in a pharmacy setting unless you completed an on-site externship, such as those offered by UMA as part of its pharmacy technician program.

Customer service skills will provide a significant boost to your pharm tech resume, given that the role tends to be customer- and patient-facing. Fortunately, these skills can be developed in almost all walks of life prior to selecting this profession, so try to gain experience in client-facing roles.

Relevant experience isn't always a prerequisite to becoming a pharmacy technician, yet like in any competitive industry, getting experience can significantly support your bid to land a job. One way to gain this experience if you're starting out, is by choosing a pharm tech program that includes an on-site externship, such as those offered by UMA.

Because the knowledge and experience offered by pharm tech programs will be invaluable to future employers and could put you head and shoulders above other candidates who have not completed one. UMA has an online associate degree that provides a solid educational platform and preparation from which to pursue entry-level roles. Passing the exam will make you a certified pharmacy technician, and tells employers that you know your stuff, thereby enhancing your career prospects.

Furthermore, being certified in this way is often a requirement of working as a pharmacy technician in your state. You'll learn how to dress appropriately for your interview, as well as how to conduct yourself professionally, and come across positively.

Network with people in the industry and be on the lookout for any other opportunities that'll help you land your first pharmacy technician job. Consider joining professional bodies such as the National Pharmacy Technician Association and attend conferences and networking events.

Tell us whether you accept cookies We use cookies to collect information about how you use the National Careers Service. Set cookie preferences. There is a problem. How to become Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a pharmacy technician You can get into this job through: an apprenticeship a trainee position Apprenticeship You could do a pharmacy technician advanced apprenticeship. You can also train to be a pharmacy technician through an apprenticeship in the armed forces. Registration you'll need to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council Professional and industry bodies Once qualified you can join the Association of Pharmacy Technicians for continuous professional development.

Further information You can find out more about careers as a pharmacy technician from Health Careers and the Association of Pharmacy Technicians. What it takes Skills and knowledge You'll need: customer service skills to be thorough and pay attention to detail excellent verbal communication skills active listening skills maths knowledge the ability to work well with others patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations administration skills to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently.

You'll need to: pass enhanced background checks. What you'll do Day-to-day tasks In this role you could: choose the correct items for a prescription weigh ingredients, measure liquids and count tablets put together ointments and medicines make sure prescriptions are legal and accurate create labels to tell people how to take medicine order new stock using computerised systems give advice to customers about prescriptions and refer complex queries to the pharmacist sell over-the-counter medicines handle confidential information refer complex queries to the pharmacist.

You may need to wear protective clothing and a uniform. Career path and progression Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities. Career path and progression With experience you could become a departmental supervisor or manager.

Another option is to become a pharmacy assessor working with trainee pharmacy technicians. Current opportunities Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you. Current opportunities Apprenticeships In England. Find apprenticeships near you.

Courses In England. Are you interested in becoming a pharmacy technician? Search for training courses near you. Jobs In the United Kingdom The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available. Not what you're looking for?