Pharmacy technician

People who wish to pursue a career in the healthcare industry should consider becoming pharmacy technicians. This career has steadily increased in demand over the years. Additionally, new developments in the pharmaceutical sector typically impact what the role entails. To help you decide whether to enter a pharmacy technician program, The Praxis Institute offers healthcare programs at its campuses in Miami and Hialeah, Florida. Here, we explain the rising need for these professionals.

What Factors Drive the Demand for Pharmacy Technicians?

From better awareness of the job to shifting global demographic trends, many aspects propel the need for pharmacy professionals. The most significant causes for this increased demand include:

Career Awareness

More healthcare organizations are learning the benefits of having technicians assist pharmacists, leading to opportunities in various settings. Technicians are no longer just working exclusively in pharmacies, hospitals, and long-term care clinics – they’re also employed by insurance companies, community health centers, and pharmaceutical wholesalers.

Changing Population

In both developed and developing nations, the population is getting older. As a result, more people require prescription medication to manage health complications and overall wellness. Increasing rates of diabetes and other chronic illnesses among people of all ages in the U.S. also drive the demand for medicine and, in turn, pharmacy technicians.

Heightened Responsibilities

As expectations for pharmacists increase, job duties for technicians are rising with them. Drug stores and healthcare organizations are looking for pharmacy technicians with significant experience and educational backgrounds as they seek candidates who can perform more complex tasks. Some new responsibilities expected of pharmacy technicians include:

  • Administering vaccinations
  • Compounding medications
  • Informing patients about their prescriptions
  • Managing inventories
  • Operating high-tech instruments and maintenance equipment
  • Representing the pharmacist in meetings with healthcare professionals
  • Researching pharmaceutical information

While increasing job duties may make being a pharmacy technician seem overwhelming, they can make daily work more engaging and varied. Additionally, more responsibilities can translate into larger salaries for these professionals. Often, a person’s educational background dictates whether they obtain a more advanced or high-paying pharmacy technician position.

Increased Interest from Hospitals

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that employment in this field will grow 4% through 2030, and well over 31,000 openings are projected yearly during this timeframe.

This statistic most likely reflects trends in the retail industry, where more pharmacies plan to reduce staffing. However, it may not account for the projected expansion of jobs in hospital environments, such as outpatient care facilities. The growing desire for pharmacy technicians in these settings may be due to changing demographics and the increasing number of tasks expected of them.

Effective Healthcare Training Programs

A primary reason pharmacy technicians perform more advanced tasks now is that the educational requirements for these professionals are more defined than in years past. Today, people who wish to be pharmacy technicians complete focused training programs that provide the skills necessary for success in this field. Additionally, some states require students to attain certification or licensure to gain employment as a pharmacy technician.

These requirements may make it seem that finding a job in this field is more challenging than it used to be. In reality, more focused programs have brought credibility to the profession. Pharmacies, hospitals, and other businesses looking for technicians are more inclined to hire candidates with the knowledge and skills essential to the necessary job duties.

Gain a Quality Education With Our Pharmacy Technician Program

If you want to meet the growing demand for pharmacy technicians, turn to The Praxis Institute for outstanding healthcare training. Our pharmacy program offers instruction in the various proficiencies needed to pursue a career in this field, from medication preparation to inventory processing. It also provides students with hands-on laboratory training and 180 hours of externship in pharmacy facilities. The Pharmacy Technician Program at The Praxis Institute is accredited by American Society of Hospital Pharmacists (ASHP) and Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).

At the end of the program, graduates earn a diploma and review sessions to help them pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). The Praxis Institute is now recognized as a PTCB CSPT education/training provider. This means that graduates of The Praxis Institute are eligible for PTCB CSPT certification after only one year of full-time sterile compounding experience (rather than the three years of experience required of technicians who have not completed recognized training) provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. This qualification will enable them to become Certified and Registered Pharmacy Technicians by law.

At The Praxis Institute, our goal is to provide students with the training needed to find employment in their fields. We offer competitive prices and flexible scheduling to help make receiving an education easier for everyone. Contact us today to learn more about the pharmacy technician program we offer in Miami and Hialeah, FL.