Where Does a Pharmacy Technician Work?

Top 3 Places for Exciting Career Opportunities

As a Pharmacy Technician, you will have a variety of career options available to you upon graduation. From large retail pharmacies to private pharmacies and even hospitals, the skills you have learned through your classes will transfer well to many different professional settings. Here are a few places you can find employment and the pros and cons of each.

Hospital Pharmacies

Traditional hospitals and clinics have their own in-house pharmacies. Some hospital pharmacies provide services only to physicians and other medical professionals who work within the hospital. They are often found filling prescriptions for patients in a fast-paced work environment. You may also see hospital pharmacies that are open to patients as well.

Pros and Cons

Hospital Pharmacy Technicians have a variety of responsibilities, from appointment scheduling and filling prescriptions to billing assistance. This keeps the job exciting and provides a variety of work experience and knowledge. With that increased experience comes increased responsibility, which means that this type of job can be more stressful than retail technician positions.

Private Pharmacies

Private pharmacies are owned and operated by individuals or families and run like many other small businesses. These businesses hire Pharmacy Technicians to fulfill many of the same duties they would perform in a retail or hospital setting, but often on a smaller scale.

Pros and Cons

Private Pharmacy Technician jobs do not always offer the same advancement opportunities as positions at larger retailers do. This means that one working at a privately owned pharmacy would likely have to transfer to another store in order to obtain more responsibility. However, there are benefits that come with working for a smaller pharmacy such as a predictable work schedule and greater familiarity with the regular customer base.

Retail Pharmacies

Retail pharmacies are the most common places for Pharmacy Technicians to work. These pharmacies are often located inside large grocery stores, but many are part of a standalone pharmacy chain, such as CVS or Walgreens. Working at a large retail pharmacy is often the best choice for new graduates since it provides the opportunity to learn the most common types of responsibilities in the field.

Pros and Cons

Large retail pharmacies tend to offer competitive pay and have high-quality training programs, making them especially appealing to new Pharmacy Technician graduates. There are plenty of opportunities for advancement, including team leader and management positions. Working at a chain retailer means that you can easily apply for a transfer to work in another city or state if you ever have to move.

The downsides of working at a larger pharmacy include demanding hours, long shifts and hectic seasonal working conditions. Many retail pharmacies offer special promotions during flu season, during which time they see a surge in business from people seeking the flu vaccine and filling their prescriptions.

Pharmacy Technician and You

Knowing the options available to you upon graduation makes it easier to make an informed career choice. Many Pharmacy Technicians choose to work in multiple settings throughout their careers. Whichever setting you choose to work in, it is a good idea to develop flexibility and the ability to work in multiple settings to make yourself more marketable as a Pharmacy Tech.

If you’re ready to take the next step towards a career as a Pharmacy Technician, the right training makes all the difference. Learn how Ayers Career College can help you reach your career goals!

If you have questions or interested in learning more, give us a call at 1-800-317-0131 or fill out the form on this page.