Working for a hospital as a pharmacy technician is where the most money is, in fact, the salaries in hospitals are higher than any other area where pharmacy techs can work, such as retail chains, retirement centers, assisted living centers, etc. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), hospital pharmacy techs make a mean hourly wage of $15.73, which is $32,710 per year while most other pharmacy settings pay around $25,000 – $28,000 commensurate on experience and training/certification.
Doing some cursory research online in various forums indicates that most pharmacy technicians also prefer working in a hospital setting for this very reason. However, along with the increased salary there are additional responsibilities that aren’t present at other pharmacy settings.
For instance, hospital pharmacy technicians must have the ability to read patient charts and use them to assist in preparing patient prescriptions prior to a nurse administering them. Of course the pharmacist who will oversee the tech’s work will verify the accuracy of the prescription as well.
Hospital pharmacy techs also mix fluids like chemotherapy and feeding solutions for intravenous use. These medications are prepared by the technician in clean rooms or cabinets known as isolators, and then they are sent to the wards for doctors and nurses to administer. Accuracy is paramount since the slightest contamination or inaccuracy in the dose can be harmful or even fatal to the patients. So this requires good mechanical dexterity and a thorough command of sterile procedures and techniques.
Another responsibility for hospital techs is delivering medications to hospital nursing units so deliveries may be scheduled or unscheduled.
Lastly, hospital pharmacy techs do inventory management at the hospital. This includes removing expired medications, rotating stock, among other inventory control duties. They advise nurses on the correct storage of medicines, monitor expiration dates and discuss the changing needs of the wards with the nurses and staff. Carrying out these same responsibilities for other nursing units is another possible duty for the hospital pharmacy technician. Technicians also purchase medicines from pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers.
For these reasons, hospitals prefer techs with more experience, and a national certification through the PTCB. As stated above, most technicians who work in settings outside of hospitals don’t have as many responsibilities and as such aren’t paid as highly.
Still want to work as a hospital pharmacy tech? Be sure to check out the section of our site dedicated to pharmacy technician certification. Certification will get you one step closer to working in the hospital and making more money as a result.
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