Career 2: Pharmacy Technician
If i had to pick one of these careers based only on working conditions described, i would chose to be a pharmacy technician because the hours are less brutal.
How much do people in each career typically earn on a yearly basis?
1. $79,000 and $134,000 a year
2. $19,000 to $40,000 a year
What other kinds of compensation or benefits can people in each career receive? (
1. ealth insurance and paid sick leave and vacation time. Some pharmacists can also earn bonuses or participate in profit-sharing programs.
2. pharmacy technicians who are employed by hospitals and other large health care institutions also receive dental, health, and retirement benefits.
If you had to pick one of these careers based only on how much you could earn, which would you
choose and why?
i would choose career 1 because you make more money $
What are the education and training requirements for people in each career?
1. To become a pharmacist, you must complete a degree at a college of pharmacy. Although entrance requirements vary, schools generally require applicants to have at least 2 years of college education, including the completion of prerequisite math and science courses. Because of the competitive nature of admissions, however, most applicants have at least 3 years of education. Most colleges also require applicants to take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT), a standardized aptitude test. Contact the school you’re interested in for specific requirements. Once you are accepted into pharmacy school you must complete a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD). Pharmacy programs take about 4 years to complete and provide instruction in subjects such as drug therapy, communicating with patients, professional ethics, and developing and managing medication distribution systems. They also include supervised practical experience in pharmacy settings. Pharmacists who want further education can go on to complete 1 or 2-year fellowships or residencies, which are supervised periods of on-the-job experience. After completing the PharmD, you must be licensed by your state. Licensing requires graduation from an accredited college of pharmacy, passing written exams, and the completion of an internship.
2. High school courses in chemistry, biology, and math are useful. Educational requirements for pharmacy technicians vary widely depending on the state you work in and your employment setting. Some states set requirements for formal training or certification of pharmacy technicians while others do not. However, regardless of where you live, completing a post-secondary pharmacy technician program is recommended as employers favor applicants who have this training. Most hospitals require completion of a recognized pharmacy technician training program, or 1 to 2 years of equivalent hospital experience. Employers in retail pharmacies also prefer to hire employees who have completed formal training and certification, though some retail chains do have their own training programs. Training programs are available through hospitals, vocational and technical schools, and some 2-year colleges. Programs vary in length from 6 months to 2 years. Choose a program accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). See the Other Resources section for a link to their site and a list of accredited programs. Some states require pharmacy technicians be licensed to work. For information about specific requirements in your state, contact your state board of pharmacy or ask your guidance counselor.
Approximately how many years of training or education are required for people in each occupation?
1. 3 years of education.
2. 6 months to 2 years
If you had to pick one of these careers based only on the amount of education and training you need, which would you choose and why?
I would choose pharmacist because there is less years of education required
Did you change your mind about the career you chose at the beginning of the activity as different types
of information became available to you? What new information caused you to change your mind and
why?
i did not change my mind
Work Tasks:
4
Working Conditions:
2
Earnings:
1
Education & Training:
3
What other factors may influence your career decision?
only these factors influence my decision
What kind of learner are you?
Tactile Learner
1. Read the Learning Styles profile. Answer the following questions:
Which parts of the profile best describe the way that you learn and retain new information?
Hands on experience
Are there parts of the profile that do not accurately describe the way that you learn and retain new
information? Which ones?
it says that i do not learn well from visual aids, i feel this is untrue
2. Think about how your learning style relates to your work at school. The Learning Styles profile
offers lots of suggestions to help you learn in your preferred style.
Which suggested strategies do you already use? How successful do you think they are in helping you
learn and remember information?
i think through a problem while doing something physical like exercise
Which suggested strategies can you begin using now to help you learn and remember information?
Rewrite your notes or type them on the computer
3. Now try to think of some more tips that you could use in the following situations:
You have a test in two weeks that is worth 30% of your final grade. What strategies could you use to
help you study for the exam?
rewrite all my notes
You’re having trouble absorbing information in class. What suggestions could you make at the next
student-teacher conference that would help you and your teacher develop a learning plan to suit your
learning style?
Tell them to utilize more hands on work during class
You have to write a 5-page essay, and you’re feeling a little overwhelmed. What tips can help you
prepare to tackle the project and write the paper?
4. Think about how understanding your learning style relates to career possibilities. How can knowing
how you learn help you make important career decisions and succeed in the workforce?
This can help me to get the assignment done as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Click on Careers in the menu bar near the top of the screen, and search for a career that interests you.
Career:
5. Read the Job Description section.
Write down two or three tasks that people in this occupation perform.
- Check patients’ medical histories and fill their prescriptions
- Tell patients how and when to take medications
- Inform patients of any side effects and answer their questions
- Supervise pharmacy technicians as they prepare and dispense medications
Describe how you could learn to perform each task in a way that complements your learning style. (e.g.
adjusting technical equipment: auditory learners could listen to someone explain how to adjust the
equipment; visual learners could read the manual; tactile learners could test out the equipment)
6. Read the Working Conditions section.
Write down two working conditions that are common for people in this occupation.
Describe how you could adapt the working conditions you listed above so that they support your
learning style. (e.g. working in an office: auditory learners could reduce noise distractions by closing their
office door; visual learners could reduce visual distractions by clearing away clutter in their office or
cubicle; tactile learners could take frequent breaks or walks.)
7. Now that you’ve learned a little more about your learning style, answer the following questions:
What do you think are some of the challenges associated with your learning style?
What do you think are some of the advantages of your learning style?
