There are many careers in healthcare that do not require multiple years of training. Whether you are looking to start a career or change your career, there are a lot of great options to quickly start a new healthcare and pharmacy technician career. One career path that takes less than two years to earn a certificate is a pharmacy technician.

What does a pharmacy technician do?

If you ever pick up a prescription in a pharmacy, you most likely speak with a pharmacy technician. The main task of a pharmacy technician is to help fill prescriptions and check inventory. Pharmacy technicians also help with:  

• preparing labels
• calculating quantities
• putting together solutions
• keeping records

Where do pharmacy technicians work?

Pharmacy technicians can work in a retail setting or in an inpatient setting. Retail pharmacy technicians help patients when they pick up prescriptions. e inpatient pharmacy technician An inpatient pharmacy technician plays a key role on the hospital’s patient care team. They assist in helping provide patient medications by performing specialized duties such as sterile compounding. A specialty pharmacy technician partners with physicians and nurses to help patients get the medicines needed for their care. There are many other tasks that both retail and inpatient pharmacy technicians do to support.

How do I become a pharmacy technician?

Pharmacy technician training takes about a year to be certified. Ochsner Health has a free, paid pharmacy technician training program. There are longer associate degree programs available as well. 

• Louisiana candidates can find training programs, such as Delgado Community College in New Orleans, through the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy webpage. Louisiana residents may be eligible for state-paid education in participating community colleges that offer pharmacy technician training.
• Mississippi candidates may find training programs through the Mississippi board of Pharmacy webpage. 

Why should I join Ochsner as a pharmacy technician?

Ochsner Health prioritizes employees with robust benefit packages and training opportunities. Many people grow in their roles or into new roles. While many choose the role of a pharmacy technician as a long-term career, many also use this role at Ochsner to learn and grow their healthcare skills. Ochsner helps pharmacy technicians get new certifications and experiences in other departments. Grow professionally and personally in your role at Ochsner Health.