How to Become a Pharmacy Technician

Becoming a pharmacy technician was one of the best decisions I ever made. It wasn't something that I had considered until I was faced with being laid off at my previous job. After working 50 hours a week for $9 an hour, I suddenly found myself in serious trouble. I could not find a job that would pay more than minimum wage. With more time on my hands, I started looking into what I could do with my life. Up to that point I hadn't really picked a job and was just happy to be employed. Now I was faced with not only being unemployed, but with having to decide where I wanted my future to be. Being laid off was one of the best things to ever happen to me because I finally had to think about my future.

If you are unsure what you want to do or if you don't have the time to dedicate to a four year degree, you can still take control of your life. There are several paths to becoming a pharmacy technician. Most states require technicians to be certified before they can be employed. I was able to get my certification in about a month. If you choose to study for the certification exam on your own, like I did, there are numerous resources online that can help you prepare. If you would prefer more of a traditional approach to getting certified, many community colleges and vocational schools offer courses.

I've been surprised at how flexible my schedule has been. From work weeks that are only 3 or 4 days long to job stability, I didn't need anything beyond my high school degree and my certification to become a pharmacy technician. It is one of the fastest growing fields, which means you will also have more job stability than most other occupations. My favorite part of the job is that at the end of the day I know that I helped other people. Whatever it is you want out of your future career, pharmacy technician can set you on the right path.