Pharmacy tech jobs here to stay
Photo by TOM GREENE/North Idaho College Kris Peterson at her job as the pharmacy technician at White Cross Pharmacy in Spirit Lake. Peterson hit the ground running after graduating from North Idaho College Pharmacy Technician program earlier this year.
Kris Peterson knew she wanted to work in health care, but after five years as a certified nursing assistant, she realized that nursing wasn’t the perfect fit for her.
“It wasn’t something I wanted to do forever,” she said.
It was time to explore other options. Incidentally, Peterson had already completed the prerequisites for the Pharmacy Technology program at North Idaho College. She decided to give it a shot and see where it took her.
Pharmacy Technology is a unique healthcare niche, one where techs work in the medical field without necessarily dealing in direct patient care. For someone who doesn’t want to draw blood, it can be ideal.
Working under the supervision of a pharmacist, pharmacy techs dispense medication to customers and health professionals, interpret prescriptions, assemble medicines, and much more. The role of a pharmacy tech is broad and expanding all the time.
For Peterson, the pharmacy technology program was the start of a new career.
“I love my job,” Peterson said. “I love everything about it. I love that I’m still in the medical field.”
These days, Peterson works at White Cross Pharmacy in Spirit Lake. Because there are no primary care providers in Spirit Lake, the pharmacy fills a unique role — one that comes with its own set of challenges.
Peterson’s work is less hands-on than when she was a CNA, and she doesn’t give medical opinions or advice about drugs. What matters, she said, is communicating with the people who frequent the pharmacy, getting to know their needs and personalities.
“I don’t see myself going anywhere any time soon,” she said with a laugh.
Peterson credits the Pharmacy Technology program at NIC for preparing her to work in a pharmacy right after graduation. In fact, her job came out of a required practicum.
During the program, students must complete two practicums: one in a retail setting, and one in a hospital setting.
“I always tell students to think of their practicum site as a working interview,” said Stephanie Bradbury, director of the NIC Pharmacy Technology program. She worked for 23 years as a pharmacy technician. “A lot of pharmacies are hiring. It’s common for students to be hired if the site has an opening.”
The demand for pharmacy techs in Idaho is projected to grow 22 percent by 2024, faster than the national projected growth, according to the Idaho Department of Labor.
“The role of the technician is evolving,” Bradbury said.
In fact, Idaho is the first state allowing pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations after undergoing training. NIC’s program provides the certification that pharmacy techs need in order to pursue that additional responsibility. Last year, Bradbury said, all students who graduated from the program had that certification, including Peterson.
“It’s 11 months and then they’re out working,” Bradbury said. “The job market is good. These jobs aren’t going anywhere.”
For information on NIC’s Pharmacy Technology program, call (208) 769-3373 or visit www.nic.edu, click on “Instructional Programs” and then select “Pharmacy Technology” from the drop-down menu.