Popular Careers After Graduating From Medical Technician Degree Programs

As with most other sectors, medical procedures and processes are increasingly becoming automated and digitalized. Technical work has become an integral part of medical care and there is greater growth expected in the future. Medical technicians are responsible for the installation, preparation, operation and maintenance of medical machinery and equipment. They have a number of areas of specialization which dictates their career paths. Similar to other medical professionals, the career options available after graduating from medical technician degree programs will align to specific areas of medical care.

Surgical Technicians

This category of medical technicians is involved in providing assistance in the theater. They are responsible for preparing the theater equipment and facilities so as to ensure everything is sterile and working as required. They are also at hand during operations in order to provide assistance to the surgeons and also respond to any situation that may need their attention. A surgical technician will need to undergo specialized training for durations that are between one to two years. There are a number of institutions that offer medical technician degree programs which can qualify one as a surgical technician. These programs are offered through regular classes as well as through the online, distance learning option.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Overview

Technicians work under the supervision of licensed pharmacists, helping them fulfill prescriptions. The technician is a bit of a "jack of all trades." He or she will perform numerous tasks, including preparing, compounding and dispensing medications, taking medication orders and accepting payments from customers. All drugs are checked before they are sold by the licensed pharmacist on-staff, but the tech has a major role to play in the process. In short, they take care of (to a large degree) a pharmacy's operational management duties. Individuals that want to become a technician may want to consider enrolling in pharmacy tech training programs.

The vast majority of pharmacy techs (75%) work in retail pharmacies. These types of pharmacies can be found independently, inside grocery stores and drug store chains. A smaller percentage (16%), work in hospitals. The U.S. Government, online pharmacies, wholesalers, clinics and mail order facilities, hire the remaining pharmacy techs.

Pharmacy Tech - A Job With A Future

Many jobs today are being outsourced to other countries or automated as much as possible so that the job prospects are dwindling in certain careers. Not so in the pharmacy tech field!

Americans are living longer nowadays and so they also have conditions and diseases that require medications in order for them to maintain a quality lifestyle. Diabetes is on the rise and so is high blood pressure... and both of which require ongoing medications.

The basic job of a pharmacy tech is to fill prescriptions while assisting the pharmacist. This can be done in a hospital, in a retail pharmacy or in more of an office environment for one of the fast-growing online drug companies that ship medicines by mail.

Basic inventory management is one of the main job duties of the pharmacy technician. Drugs are received from the manufacturer and these shipments need to be verified and then stocked on the shelves for filling prescriptions.

Pharmacy Schools Entrance Strategies

As with most potential students, knowing where to start can be hard to determine.

One thing you'll want to consider is why you actually wish to become a pharmacist. This is something that will more than likely come up during your school's admission interview. Also, carrying a pharmacy degree opens up a wide variety of option for you later on down the road when it comes to the what you do and what type of environment you wish to work in. Knowing where and how you want to work as a pharmacist is important while pursuing your education to be one, for both yourself and also during the interview.

An overall 3.0 GPA, along with the same in cumulative science, are things you will need to obtain in order to gain admission into most schools. This means not only focusing on your general studies, but specifically ones aimed at your career path.

The earlier you apply, the better the chances that you'll get interviewed. Try to be prepared in advance and know ahead of time as to when the school you are trying to get into will be accepting applications, and when they no longer will be. Know what you'll need to have with you and make sure to have your transcripts, PCAT scores (if needed), personal statements, the required number of recommendation letters, and anything else the school requires for admission.