Pharmacy Technology

Is a career as a Pharmacy technician right for me? Pharmacy Technicians assist licensed pharmacists by providing patients with medication and healthcare products. They have strong customer services skills and are able to multi-task in a fast-paced and demanding environment. If the following qualities describe you, Pharmacy Technology might be a good program choice:

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• Alert, observant, and detail oriented
• Reliable, responsible and organized
• Willing and able to take direction
• Ethically-minded
• Customer-service focused
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

What's the job outlook?

Pharmacy Technicians play a very critical role in pharmacies and healthcare organizations by handling prescriptions and medication orders and by providing assistance to licensed pharmacists. As retailers expand their pharmaceutical services and new medical treatments are explored, pharmacists' workload will increase. The increased workload will spur growth and the demand for Pharmacy Technicians. In fact, employment for Pharmacy Technicians is expected to increase by 32 percent from 2006 to 2016.*

What will I do with my education?

Graduates of Heald's Pharmacy Technology program pursue rewarding careers in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, retail pharmacies - which include drugstore chains, grocery stores, department stores, or mass retailers, mail-order and web-based pharmacies - pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers, and the federal government.

Your job responsibilities will vary depending on the type of company and the state rules and regulations of your organization's locations. You will help licensed pharmacists prepare prescribed medications for patients. You may also establish and maintain patient record files, prepare insurance claim forms, and manage prescription and over-the-counter medication inventories. Additional responsibilities may include reading patients' charts and preparing the appropriate medications. In some occasions, you will work closely with pharmacy aides, performing administrative duties. A Heald degree will provide you hands-on training in laboratory and real-world settings to get you prepared for a career as a Pharmacy Technician.

You'll get more than career training at Heald. You'll gain professional polish so you can be an asset your first day on the job. If you're interested in this program, you can pursue the following future educational options:

• Associate in Applied Science degree in Pharmacy Technology

The above serves as a general overview for this program. For details, please refer to our academic catalog. Program availability and educational options vary by campus. * Bureau of Labor Statistic, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009 Edition TOP