Science has made many wonderful contributions to our quality of life, and near the top of the list are modern pharmaceuticals. Nowadays we have access to many effective prescription drugs that can add years to our lives. If you enjoy helping people lead healthier lives through scientific advances, you might want to consider training to work in a Human growth hormone for sale uk.
But first, let’s review the various jobs and their descriptions. Many people are confused about the differences between pharmacists, pharmacy aides, and pharmacy technicians. Let’s have a look.
Pharmacists distribute prescription drugs to individuals. They also provide advice to patients, physicians, and other health practitioners on the selection, interactions, dosages, and side effects of medications. Pharmacists must earn a PharmD degree (Doctor of Pharmacy) from an accredited college or school of pharmacy. This is a four-year degree program that is not like what you may think of as a typical doctoral program. Generally, you do not need a master’s or even a bachelor’s degree to earn your PharmD degree. But you must have completed a set of prerequisite college-level courses in chemistry, biology, and other areas. A license to practice pharmacy is required in all states, all U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
Pharmacy aides perform administrative duties in pharmacies. They cannot handle prescription drugs. They may be clerks or cashiers who answer telephones, stock shelves, handle money, and perform other clerical duties. Pharmacy aides may maintain patient files, prepare insurance claim forms, and stock and take inventory of supplies and medications. Most pharmacy aides have a high school diploma and are trained on the job.
Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients. They perform some of the same administrative tasks as pharmacy aides, such as answering phones, stocking shelves, and operating cash registers.
But unlike pharmacy aides, technicians also help prepare prescribed medication. Technicians must retrieve, measure, and sometimes mix the medication. They may select the type of prescription container, prepare the prescription labels, and affix the prescription and auxiliary labels to the container. Technicians price and file the prescription, which is then checked by a pharmacist before it is given to the patient. They refer any questions regarding prescriptions, drug information, or health matters to the pharmacist.
How about certification? Two organizations administer national certification examinations-the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians. Certification requirements vary-it’s required by some states and employers, and is voluntary in some states.
Employers tend to favor applicants who have completed formal training and certification. Education programs and certification highlight the technician’s proficiency, knowledge, and dedication to the work. Formal education programs are offered by the military, some hospitals, proprietary schools, vocational or technical colleges, and community colleges. Many quality programs that offer relevant skills, such as health and chemistry, can be found at accredited career colleges.
The job outlook is good. According to the U.S. Government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to increase by 31 percent in the current decade from 2008 to 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Good job prospects are anticipated for full-time and part-time work, particularly for technicians with formal training or previous experience.