Pharmacy Technician Employment Outlook
Good news if you are considering a position in the health field as a Pharmacy Technician. As many of us may have experienced a direct or indirect hit because of our decreasing economy, and most companies have been laying off a high number of employees. The outlook for Pharmacy Technician employment is increasing and will continue to increase for years to come. This is due largely in part to increased prescriptions, scientific advancements in medicine, public awareness of available prescriptions, and using pharmacy technicians to take over additional responsibilities of the pharmacy.
One of the main reasons for pharmacy technician employment increases is because of the increased amount of prescriptions needed to handle the growing middle age and elderly community. As medical advancements have grown people are living longer. This life expectancy change has created an increase in the amount of people in the middle age and elderly bracket. As this part of our population grows so does the need for medication to handle issues that occur as we age.
Scientific advancements in medicine are another reason for the continued Pharmacy Technician employment growth. Almost daily scientists are finding treatments to diseases and ailments they may have been once deemed incurable. As these advancements occur so do the number of prescriptions that need to be filled, which of course would require more pharmacy technicians to fill them.
Something that may surprise you that has caused an increase in Pharmacy Technician employment is television commercials. As of late prescriptions drug commercials have become common place which has made the public at large aware of medications they may not have known existed. I have to admit, I personally have seen a few commercials and had to think to myself “Wow, they have a medication for that?” People who have suffered from these previously unknown conditions are now going to their doctor and asking for these prescriptions by name. This increase of public awareness has increased the need for pharmacy technicians.
Another recent trend is the creations of patient care centers at locations such as Walgreens and tons of other location across the country. This has created a new role for pharmacy tech as they now take over some of the more routine procedures normally handled by pharmacist. They are also stepping into to some of the responsibilities of pharmacy aides, handling tasks such as answering phones and stocking shelves.
If you are considering pharmacy technician employment you have made the right choice. This field will continue to grow for years to come and requires very little training to enter such a rewarding career.
