The Future of Pharmacy Tech Jobs: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities

What is the future of pharmacy tech jobs? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. This uptick could have a lot to do with an aging population and the increasing demand for all pharmacy-related services.

With such a rise in demand for pharmacy technicians, it’s crucial to explore how their roles will expand in the future and what are trends in this industry to look out for. 

Let’s dive into the future trends, challenges, and opportunities for those aspiring for pharmacy tech jobs. 

Exploring the Pharmacy Tech Job Market

Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in the healthcare industry and work closely with pharmacists to ensure patients receive the needed medications.

Pharmacy technician hiring is on the rise as the healthcare sector is expanding quickly, leading to a higher demand for skilled pharmacy technicians. The demand for prescription medicines is rising with an aging population in the US. As a pharmacy technician, this is a steady job market with numerous possibilities for progress and development.

The demand for pharmacy technicians is projected to shoot up in the years to come. This means that there would be approximately 44,900 openings for pharmacy technicians each year, on average, over the decade till 2030.

Those with the right skills and pharmacy technician certifications can find themselves looking forward to immense opportunities in the pharmacy market:

·         Job Outlook

The job outlook for pharmacy technicians is bright, with a pharmacy technician easily commanding a median annual salary of $37,790.

·         Work Opportunities

Pharmacy technicians can work in community and hospital pharmacies, wholesale divisions, sales and marketing, IT training centers, be a part of the management, perform purchasing roles, and many more.

·         Leadership

Community pharmacies are always on the lookout for pharmacy technicians who also demonstrate leadership skills. A lead pharmacy technician can positively impact a business by demonstrating aptitude, a great attitude, being detail-oriented, and adaptability.

Essential Skills for Success in Pharmacy Tech Careers

If you want to know how to become a pharmacy tech in the US, then know this - you don't need a college degree, just a high school diploma, a pharmacy technician certification, and an interest in the field. The entire process to becoming a certified pharmacy technician can take anywhere from a few months to 2 years. Most pharmacy technician courses can be completed in a year, with some courses providing accelerated alternatives that can be done even in just six months.

Here’s what you would need to become a pharmacy technician in the US:

• A high school diploma or its equivalent

• Attend an accredited pharmacy technician training program

• Finish an externship

• Take the PTCT or ExCPT Certification Exam

• Apply for a job 

In addition to educational qualifications and pharmacy tech certificates, pharmacy technicians also need many skills to succeed in their roles, such as:

• Good Communication Skills: Since pharmacy technicians have to communicate with patients, pharmacists, insurance people, doctors, and nurses on an almost daily basis, this is one skill they cannot compromise on. 

• Customer Service: Pharmacy technicians need to have an empathetic and understanding attitude with patients and customers and make sure they get what they need in terms of medication and information.

• Organizational Skills: Since they handle records of medications, required supplies, and a lot of paperwork, pharmacy technicians need to have a strong sense of organization.

• Technical Skills: Accurate and safe preparation and dispensing of medication calls for technical skills to ensure patients receive the right medicine in the right doses.

• Teamwork: Pharmacy technicians need teamwork skills to ensure pharmacists in the unit can carry out their tasks efficiently.  

Insights Into the Pharmacy Tech Profession

Pharmacy technician is a growing career field with high demand. There’s job stability and growth. And it has a fairly low entry barrier into the workforce. Compared to other healthcare professions that demand extensive education and training, becoming a pharmacy technician is relatively fast. 

It also offers a flexible work schedule since many pharmacies are open 24/7. This means that a pharmacy tech has the option to work days, nights, or weekends. This flexibility helps create a work-life balance that is crucial these days.

A pharmacy technician also works in varied work environments, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, clinics, community pharmacies, doctor's offices, and mail-order pharmacies. This variety allows pharma techs to opt for a work environment that best suits their personality and interests. 

In short, pharmacy technicians have the opportunity to positively impact people’s health, thus making it a rewarding career choice.

Want to Fast-track Your Pharmacy Technician Career with Quad Recruitment?

Join one of the fastest growing careers in the US, become a pharmacy technician, and look forward to a rewarding career that offers lucrative opportunities for growth as well as personal well-being. But, the competition is also fierce. You need a trusted partner to help you navigate the challenges of landing a well-paying pharmacy technician job that offers stability, good remuneration, and growth prospects.

Let Quad Recruitment be that trusted partner for you. With a plethora of pharmacy tech jobs listed, Quad Recruitment is the platform you need to launch your career the right way. Get in touch with the helpful and committed Quad Recruitment team today!