In the medical field, pharmacies play a vital role in the health of the society they service. Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in those pharmacies – from interacting with patients, dispensing the correct medication, and working with insurance companies. While many pharmacy technicians start their careers in retail pharmacy settings, there are numerous opportunities for them to explore diverse career paths beyond the traditional retail environment. There are a multitude of options available for pharmacy technicians to explore once licensed.
Hospital Pharmacy Technician
Hospital pharmacy technicians are essential members of the healthcare team, working alongside pharmacists to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of medications to patients within the hospital environment. Their responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks aimed at supporting medication management and patient care. These include, but are not limited to, inventory management, emergency response, medication reconciliation, and patient-specific preparation. With their expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to patient well-being, hospital pharmacy technicians play an indispensable role in the healthcare team.
Clinical Pharmacy Technician
Clinical pharmacy technicians work closely with pharmacists in specialized clinical settings, such as hospitals, specialty clinics, or outpatient care centers. Their role extends beyond traditional dispensing tasks to encompass various clinical responsibilities aimed at optimizing medication therapy and patient outcomes. A lot of the tasks they focus on include medication therapy management, patient assessment and monitoring, collaborative disciplinary care, and quality improvement initiatives. With their clinical expertise, professionalism, and dedication to patient well-being, clinical pharmacy technicians make valuable contributions to the healthcare team and positively impact patient outcomes.
Research Technician
Pharmacy technicians play integral roles in pharmaceutical research and development, supporting various aspects of the drug discovery, development, and clinical trial process. Working in research settings such as pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, or research organizations, research pharmacy technicians contribute to advancing scientific knowledge and improving patient care through their specialized expertise and technical skills. They perform laboratory support, drug formulation and preparation, clinical trial support, and data collection and analysis among many other responsibilities within a research function. With their technical expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to research excellence, research pharmacy technicians contribute to improving patient care and advancing the field of pharmaceutical science.
Long Term Care Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in supporting medication management services for residents in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and hospice care settings. Working under the supervision of pharmacists, long-term care pharmacy technicians contribute to ensuring the safe, accurate, and timely delivery of medications to residents while adhering to regulatory requirements and promoting resident well-being. They are responsible for many things, for example: medication dispensing and distribution, regulatory compliance, resident education and support, and reconciliation and review of patient medication. With their dedication to patient care and adherence to professional standards, long-term care pharmacy technicians make valuable contributions to the quality of care provided in long-term care settings.
Government and Regulatory Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians play essential roles in government agencies and regulatory bodies involved in drug regulation, public health, and research. Working in diverse settings such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), state health departments, and other regulatory agencies, government and regulatory pharmacy technicians contribute to safeguarding public health, ensuring regulatory compliance, and promoting pharmaceutical safety and efficacy. They can have a number of things they work on regularly, like regulatory compliance, drug approval and evaluation, and public education and outreach. With their expertise, professionalism, and commitment to regulatory excellence, government and regulatory pharmacy technicians uphold the highest standards of pharmaceutical regulation and contribute to the protection and promotion of public health.
Pharmacy Technician Education at ANU
For many of these roles, not only do technicians need to have certification, but many also require education as well. With American National University’s Pharmacy Technician associate degree program, you can earn your degree to better your chances of making a break from retail pharmacy work. You’ll have two 120-hour externships (for a total of 240 hours) to gain experience within the field. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the job with our at-home lab kits and access to the real life pharmacy technology of PioneerRx – all included in the cost of your tuition. Not only that, but ANU will cover the cost of your background check so that you can get started in your future career without worry of extra costs. To find out more about our pharmacy technician degree program, go to an.edu.
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