Lakewood College Prepares Students for Pharmacy Technician Careers

COLUMBIA, N.C. - Sept. 14, 2014 - PRLog -- Lakewood College offers an online Pharmacy Technician Program that will prepare students for a respectable career as a Pharmacy Technician. The training course is designed to provide hands on instruction on how to be successful in any pharmacy setting.

Pharmacy Technicians assist Pharmacists by preparing prescription medications, providing customer service, and performing various administrative duties. They often receive orders electronically and must accurately count, weigh, pour, measure, or mix the medications. They are responsible for creating prescription labels and selecting the type container to be utilized.

Pharmacy Technicians are in high demand due to a shortage of qualified professionals in this field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for Pharmacy Technicians is expected to grow by 32 percent over the next few years. This is largely due to the elderly population needing more medications and new scientific advancements. Jobs are widely available all over the United States within hospitals or retail stores.

The purpose of the program exists to prepare students for the national certification exam after graduation. The course is designed to train students in all facets of a pharmacy including basic pharmaceutical calculations, interpreting physician orders and prescriptions for accuracy, and recognizing the role that a pharmacy plays in preventative services such as immunizations. Students are expected to define medical and pharmaceutical terms and common abbreviations, describe the role that the pharmacy technician plays in the pharmacy, and identify the individual state requirements for a pharmacy technician.

Each student at Lakewood College is assigned to an instructor with years of experience in the Pharmacy Field. These instructors work hard to help students understand the complexity of working in a pharmacy and to explore the many career paths within the field. In addition, students are offered additional support by their very own Success Coach, available to provide time management tips, study resources, and life coaching.

Lakewood College also has a Career Services Department to help students achieve employment. They first work with a Preparation Specialist to prepare a cover letter and resume. They undergo training in professional development, mock interviews, and networking and communication techniques. Students then work with a Job Placement Specialist who assists them in finding an externship that allows students to gain real career experience.

The Pharmacy Technician program is perfect for anyone looking to get their foot in the door to a respectable medical career. The institution has a number of articulation agreements for students to continue their education for career advancement as well as partnerships including Walgreens and CVS Pharmacies.  To see a full list of Lakewood College’s partners, visit http://lakewoodcollege.edu/partnerships.php.