It is often taken for granted that a pharmacist and a pharmacy technician are they same thing. But the truth is that they are in fact two completely different professions. There are certain areas such as functions, educational requirements and on-the-job skills that set both of them far apart.
Simply put, a pharmacy technician works as an assistant to a pharmacist and technically should always be working under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
Let us take a look at the 3 basic differences between the job of a pharmacist and that of a pharmacy technician.
1. Hierarchy and Job Description
Pharmacy Technician: As previously mentioned, a pharmacy technician works under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. He/she greets the patients, takes down their medical history, and assists the pharmacist with simple things like filling out prescriptions and updating patient records. It can be said that pharmacy technicians and assistants do the “grunt work.” At no time is a pharmacy technician’s work left unsupervised.
Pharmacist: The pharmacist is the boss of the pharmacy. He/she is the person who makes or synthesizes the medication from the given ingredients. The Pharmacist is also responsible for making sure that the prescribed medication will not react badly with any other medication the patient might be taking. Unlike pharmacy technicians, pharmacists are qualified to give medical advice to patients.
In addition to all these responsibilities, the pharmacist supervises the pharmacy technician and the pharmacy assistants and double-checks that the prescriptions have been filled out accurately.
2. Educational qualifications
Pharmacy Technician: One does not require a college degree to become a certified pharmacy technician. Many accredited diploma courses are available online for those who want to make a career as a pharmacy technician. It is important, however, to ensure that you pick an established and accredited institute to complete your course.
There are plenty of online schools that offer pharmacy technician courses. My sister-in-law, a mother of two children under the age of 6, is currently a pharmacy technician trainee at YTI Career Institute, and is enjoying the space and time the college provides as it suits her needs as a mother and a student. She says, and I quote, “If I enjoyed school half as much as this, I would have learnt a lot more!” YTI is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
In some states, pharmacy technicians do not need any prior educational qualifications and can learn on the job.
Pharmacist: In order to have a career as a pharmacist one must have a DP (Doctor of Pharmacy), which is a 4 year degree course. The can be acquired from any university offering a DP. There are also a few exams that one has to take in order to qualify for a pharmacist’s license.
3. Salaries
Pharmacy Technician: A pharmacy technician can expect to make about $29,320 a year on an average. However, this figure will vary based on where you are employed. Working for a pharmacist with a private practice will pay higher than average.
Pharmacist: Pharmacists get paid a rather handsome salary. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that on an average, pharmacists make about $116,670 a year. Again, this figure is subject to change depending on employment.
So there you have it; the basic differences between pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. I hope you are no longer confused about the role of each professional in the healthcare industry. And if you are thinking of a career in pharmacy, these are three things that you absolutely must know!