Within the healthcare industry there are numerous "behind the scenes" jobs that sometimes go unnoticed but require educated individuals to help the medical world function efficiently. If you are interested in medicine one often overlooked field is an Associate's Degree in Pharmacy Technology.
Associate's Degree in Pharmacy Technology
The program for an Associate's Degree in Pharmacy Technology typically takes 2 years to complete and is available at many vocational schools and community colleges. This degree trains you for a specific career and often requires some hands-on experience or on the job training. While part of the classwork can be taken online it is more common as a campus education. It is also often referred to as a Pharmacy Technician Associate's Degree.
When you obtain an Associate's Degree in Pharmacy Technology you will gain the skills necessary to assist a pharmacist in preparing, labeling, and distributing prescriptions. You will have knowledge about sorting, counting, and keeping an inventory of pharmaceutical drugs along with reading and keeping medical records. It is also important to have good communication skills as you will often help patients and dispense medications to them.
Coursework
The courses that you take to complete and Associate's Degree in Pharmacy Technology will be very specific to the skills you will need as a Pharmacy Technician. While there may be a few general education requirements such as writing or English, most classes will focus on science and the technical skills needed to work in a pharmacy. Typical classes might be:
- Patient Privacy Law
- Human Relations
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacy Terminology
- Pharmacy Computer Software
Colleges and Universities
Whether it is called an Associate's Degree in Pharmacy Technology or an Associate of Science in Pharmacy Technician, there are several colleges and universities that offer this degree. If you want to pursue this degree online or on-campus you will need to research some of the following to find which best fits your needs:
- Sanford-Brown University
- Heald College
- Everest College
- Penn Foster Career School
Finding a Career
Since it is such as specific career-based degree, an Associate's Degree in Pharmacy Technology will train you for a career as a pharmacy technician. Some states will require you to become a certified pharmacy technician by passing an exam through the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians. After that you will be able to work in a variety of settings from retail pharmacies to hospitals and nursing homes.
