| With doctors writing approximately 3.5 billion | | | | Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA). Regarding |
| prescriptions annually, the demand for pharmacy | | | | continuing education, he suggests listing only those |
| technicians is steadily increasing. However, just | | | | credits earned from courses on special, advanced |
| because there is an abundance of jobs in this field of | | | | topics such as quality control or preparing radioactive |
| work, you will still need to submit a compelling resume | | | | elements. "CE in and of itself isn't a differentiator," he |
| to help you land your job of choice. | | | | says, "it's expected." |
| While most of us understand the basic components of | | | | - Elaborate on your work history. |
| a resume, items that are specific to pharmacy | | | | Employers prefer to see a rich description of what |
| technicians should also be included. | | | | you do on a daily basis as opposed to a generic list of |
| Here are some tips for writing an effective resume: | | | | your duties. So, rather than saying: |
| - Tailor your objective. | | | | Responsibilities included assisting the pharmacist, |
| Be sure to demonstrate your willingness to learn. | | | | prescription intake and insurance billing. |
| Susan Jeffery, CPhT, former president of the | | | | Say something like this: |
| American Association of Pharmacy Technicians | | | | Responsibilities included counting the prescribed number |
| (AAPT), stresses the importance of letting your hiring | | | | of tablets, entering prescription information into the |
| manager know you are interested in opportunities for | | | | computer to produce labels, and overseeing workers' |
| further specialization or professional growth. | | | | compensation benefits. |
| A sample career objective: | | | | If you are a recent graduate, make sure you include |
| To obtain a pharmacy technician position with an | | | | internships, clinical rotations, etc. Also, to show job |
| expanding company. Strong interest in pursuing | | | | stability, list non-pharmacy work experience. |
| professional development opportunities, including | | | | - Flaunt your associations. |
| specialized training and licensure in the organization's | | | | Belonging to a professional organization such as the |
| growth areas. | | | | NPTA or the AAPT and attending seminars |
| - Expand on your education and skills. | | | | conventions accentuate your dedication to the field. |
| To make you stand out, be sure to list your education, | | | | A few more words of advice: |
| training, licensure, and any academic honors you've | | | | - Be sure you don't have any spelling errors. (In this |
| earned. Also, include special skills such as fluency in a | | | | field, a misspelled word could result in a fatal error. |
| foreign language, dispensing or dealing with billing and | | | | Proof, review and proof again!) |
| reimbursement for insurance, etc. | | | | - Keep it to one page in length (unless you've earned |
| "Listing specialty certifications, like intravenous drugs, | | | | specialized CE credits or have some other form of |
| compounding or diabetes home management can help | | | | special training.) |
| you get noticed and get higher salaries," explains Mike | | | | - Do not include hobbies and personal interests. (The |
| Johnston, founder and chairman of the National | | | | manager will ask if he/she wants to know. |