- Placement rate: 95%
- Length of program: 6 months to 2 years. Most programs are self-paced.
- Career paths: pharmacist's assistant at pharmacies, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies; section supervisor
- Typical courses you will take: pharmacology, technical math, and pharmacy operations
- Salary: ranges from $9 to $14 per hour
Technically, It's an Excellent Opportunity
If you're looking for a stable career with good benefits, and you have excellent math skills, a career as a pharmacy technician might be a good fit. A pharmacy technician (or tech) assists the pharmacist by maintaining patient records, packaging and labeling medication, and mixing IV drugs. Rising medical costs combined with a shortage of pharmacists have increased the need for pharmacy techs that can perform routine tasks, freeing the pharmacist for more complicated work.
Career Success Online: Pharmacy Tech Certificate
An online pharmacy tech program usually combines self-paced learning with internships at local pharmacies. Online classes are very convenient: you can arrange your study and lessons around your current schedule. Your internship, though, will be a bit less flexible, but it will be necessary for you to spend time working under the supervision of a pharmacist.