Alabama Pharmacy Tech Schools & Certification

A pharmacy technician in Alabama is in a unique position to provide an invaluable resource to patients. From advice to compounding specialized medications, a pharmacy technician is a member of the pharmacy that is respected by coworkers, employers, and patients.

With the diverse opportunities and ability to advance, launching a career as an Alabama pharmacy tech allows you to tailor your life to meet your own goals, needs, and personality. You’ll find that no two days are exactly the same during your career as a pharmacy technician. From assisting the lead pharmacist to researching the latest medication combinations, the career opportunities that are open to you are almost unlimited.

Alabama Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

The Alabama Board of Pharmacy has a number of requirements that those who wish to be pharmacy technicians must meet.

• Must be at least 17 years of age
• Written application
• Payment of required fees
• Must work only under the supervision of a pharmacist that is licensed
• Can perform only functions that don’t require a pharmacist’s professional judgment

While Alabama does not require that pharmacy technicians have formal education prior to registration, obtaining national certification could make a job candidate more attractive to employers. A certificate from a certifying agency such as the National Healthcare Association (NHA) or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) reduces the number of resources and time that an employer would need to devote to their new pharmacy technician. These certifications require that you have either a high school diploma or a GED before taking their respective exams.

Alabama Pharmacy Technician Careers & Employment Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) noted that the population of the United States is aging. Typically, older people have higher incidences of diseases and medical conditions so they often use more prescription medications. Increased rates of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart conditions across all age ranges also mean that the demand for prescription medications will rise accordingly.

According to the agency’s Employment Projections program, there were 422,300 people who were employed as pharmacy technicians in 2019. The projected employment within the industry by 2029 is expected to be 437,600 — an increase of 15,200 jobs or four percent.

In Alabama, the mean wage for pharmacy technicians in May 2019 was $30, 830. The mean wage for the United States for that same time period was $33,950 per year and $16.22 per hour.

As a pharmacy technician, you’ll be expected to perform many of the duties that a pharmacist took care of just a few years ago. These include administering flu shots, obtaining patient information, and preparing an ever-expanding array of medications.

The pharmacy technician of today is an invaluable member of the healthcare industry. The ability to use your compassion and expertise to help people feel better — while also earning an attractive wage — is what draws many people to this career in the first place.

Alabama Schools That Offer Pharmacy Technician Training Programs