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The Perks of a Pharmacy Career

By Gina Pogol
Learning & Life Columnist
April 6, 2007

Many pharmaceutical companies pay people to participate in clinical trials of new medicines. For many, it seems like a pretty easy way to make $15 an hour--just sit there, let them inject you with something, and hope it doesn't turn your brain inside out. But those inside-out-brain moments are a pretty serious downside to this gig. One website recently reported that the University of California at San Diego actually got participants volunteering to have a nerve gas component injected into their eyes and noses. UCSD officials reported nothing worse than nose and eye irritation, but in general this isn't the world's safest job.

A Steady, Safe Healthcare Career

But that doesn't mean there aren't high-paying, rewarding jobs in the pharmacy industry. If you're interested in medicine but maybe not in testing it yourself, consider a career as a pharmacy technician. The pharmacy industry is one of the highest-paying in the country, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). With the aging of Baby Boomers, the entire healthcare field must expand to absorb the impact--and that's where you come in. For this job, you'll need a solid general medical background, including anatomy and pharmacology. In a pharmacy technician training program, you'll also learn about diagnostic procedures, laboratory procedures and insurance. Since many of your duties will involve customer care or office management, you'll beef up your communication and computing skills, and you'll take classes in patient records and office procedures like scheduling, coding, accounting, and billing.

About 70% of pharmacy jobs are in retail pharmacies, grocery stores, department stores, or mass retailers, according to the BLS. Median hourly earnings were over $11, with the top end of the field earning more than $16 per hour. Job prospects are very strong, thanks to the rapid growth of the healthcare industry, so it's a smart choice for a stable career.

If you're challenged by demanding work schedules, family obligations, or remote locations, online education can help you progress at your own pace to a better career and a better life.

Sources:

• AlterNet Rights and Liberties, "The Ten Worst Jobs in America"
• The Wall Street Journal, "We Ask: What are Some of the Best and Worst Jobs?"
• Worst jobs ever - Boston.com
• Worst Jobs with the Best Pay

About the Author
Gina Pogol has a terrific job as a writer and editor for an online media company. After working at several horrible jobs, she earned an associate's degree in Computer Programming, a certificate in Paralegal Studies, and a BS in Financial Management.

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