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Exciting Career Prospects of Pharmacy Technician in Connecticut
Many students worry about steep costs and long period in college that a career in medicine requires.
A career in healthcare is highly sought after and offers ample growth prospects. Another interesting fact about healthcare jobs is that no matter what the state of the world economy the demand for quality healthcare professionals always exists.
Many factors influence career success. In America a combination of aging Baby Boomers and our increased vulnerability to lifestyle diseases have resulted in massive demand for healthcare professionals.
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Many students worry about steep costs and long period in college that a career in medicine requires. Fortunately, there are many jobs in the medical field that require much less schooling and consequently place a lighter financial burden on you. Allied healthcare jobs require less expensive and time-consuming education and offer comfortable employment to many.
The demand for pharmacy technicians is projected to grow at an above average rate of 20% through 2022 generating more than 70,000 new jobs in the process. Fairly regular working hours, good remuneration, stable career and societal respect are some of the perks that come with the job.
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The rules and regulations governing the profession change from state to state. If you live in Connecticut here are a few things you should know about becoming a pharmacy technician.
What Is the Role of a Pharmacy Technician?
A pharmacy technician plays a very important role in dispensing medicines and providing important information to patients. When you enroll as a pharmacy technician in a facility you will work under the supervision of a pharmacist. You will have to carefully follow instructions and measure, count, mix, pour or weigh medicines as per prescriptions.
You will have to package and label medications, and fill out prescription orders as advised by the pharmacist. You need to have good communication skills and should be able to coordinate effectively with the pharmacist to ensure that the operations in your facility proceed smoothly.
You will have to manage inventory, monitor shortfalls and inform the pharmacist when new supplies are required. Pharmacy technicians will also have to remove medical supplies past expiry date and replace them with fresh stuff.
Attending to phone calls, administrative tasks and basic customer care duties also form part of a pharmacy technician’s role.
A Pharmacy Technician Dons Several Hats
A keen eye for detail, good number crunching skills, ability to learn on the job, good people skills, physical stamina and ability to handle stress are some of the qualities that will help you excel in your job. A pharmacy technician’s job is a very serious one and requires precision and accuracy.
You will have to take the lead and remain updated on changing industrial trends and new drug information. If you work in a busy facility, you will also require good organizational skills and will have to juggle several roles to keep the show running. You need to be aware of pharmacy regulations and protocol, and must follow ethical codes of conduct.
But a pharmacy technician’s job is not all hard work and no play. You get to enjoy perks of the job like flexible work hours and have a variety of choices when it comes to choosing your employer. Pharmacy technicians can choose to work behind pharmacy counters at hospitals and medical facilities, drug stores and grocery stores. You also have the option to work full time or part time.
What Are the Educational Requirements in Connecticut?
The entry barrier is low for pharmacy technicians in Connecticut. All you need is a High School Diploma or a GED to start you career. You can take up a job at a pharmacy and choose to learn on the job, but a drawback is that salary levels are low for inexperienced graduates.
Employers hesitate to hire candidates on whom they have to invest time and money in training. So attend a pharmacy technician training program that will open doors to better career opportunities.
Pharmacy technician training programs are usually of a few months duration and include classroom as well as clinical training. There are two-year programs that lead to an associate’s degree which allows you to apply for specialized roles.
In the program you will learn about various names, uses and doses of medicines, methods of dispensing them, pharmacy protocols and ethics. You will also be taught the basics of recordkeeping and inventory management. You will get familiar with routine administrative tasks that pharmacy technicians usually perform on the job.
Post-secondary training programs are offered in community and vocational colleges, and private training institutes. There are several colleges and schools in Connecticut that offer comprehensive training to students. Do your research well and choose an accredited college that suits you.
How to Choose the Best Pharmacy Technician Training School?
You need to ask around, get as much information as possible and weigh all options before making up your mind about which college to attend.
Established institutes will have experienced faculty and well-oiled placement systems. Check with past students about teaching facility and clinical training options. Good institutes will offer externships/internships at hospitals or clinics affiliated to them. Also find out whether the institute will help you in job search.
There are colleges which will help you earn a supplementary income as you study. This can provide valuable experience and can be a big plus on your resume as well. Good pharmacy technician training institutes will strive to provide all necessary resources, tools and guidance to students to help them get their dream job.
The State of Connecticut approves the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, and it is mandatory for all pharmacy technicians in the state to be certified and licensed. A quality training program will equip you with all necessary skills to tackle the certification exam confidently, soon after completing your course successfully.
The State Board issues license to certified pharmacy technicians in Connecticut which you can acquire within 30 days of being hired.
Salary and Growth Prospects
The average salary of a pharmacy technician in Connecticut is $37,000 as per salary.com. This is higher than the national average and also shows steady growth over the years.
Armed with the right qualification you can easily hope to get a job that pays as well or more.
Conclusion
A pharmacy technician performs a very important role in healthcare delivery. This is also a career which offers vast scope for specialization and progress into varied roles. Choose the right training school and get set for an exciting career in healthcare.
