If you are currently working as a warehouse associate, then you are familiar with the daily cycle of inventory management, strict quotas, and high-pressure deadlines. Not to mention the physically demanding attributes of this role.
While warehouse roles provide essential income, many associates eventually look for a path that offers more stability and better working conditions. Now, if you are looking to transition into something more fulfilling, luckily, there’s a medical role (yes, medical role) that leverages all the skills you possess.
The role in question is certified pharmacy technician, and it is one of the most logical—and accessible—career pivots available today.
Understanding Why To Opt For a Pharmacy Technician Role
Sure, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, warehousing and storage roles earn around $25 per hour, which sounds great on paper, but the fact that you have little to no medical benefits, it involves physical labor, no growth, and a very high risk of injury, these are less than ideal as a career.
As for the pharma tech, at first, you may think that a distribution center and a pharmacy are worlds apart. However, the core competencies required to succeed in a high-volume warehouse are the exact same “hard skills” needed in a pharmacy setting, which are:
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Inventory Management:
If you’ve spent years mastering SKU numbers, stock rotation (FIFO), and barcode scanning, you already understand the logic of a pharmacy. Everything needs to be labelled and stored correctly.
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The Precision Mindset:
In a warehouse setting, a mispicked item is a lost dollar; in a pharmacy, it’s a safety risk. Warehouse associates already have the “muscle memory” for accuracy that retail pharmacies crave.
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Regulatory Compliance:
While OSHA standards are not identical to HIPAA and DEA regulations but warehouses ensure that everyone understands and follows the protocols almost religiously, which is exactly what is needed in a pharmacy setting.
What If You Don’t Have a Medical Degree?
This is the best part, actually. You do not need a medical degree to enter allied healthcare. It is completely understandable that most people are under the impression that a medical career requires years of schooling, but it’s not the case.
With that said, you will still be required to train for the role, but luckily, there are plenty of pharmacy technician courses online, which not only help you learn the fundamentals but also cover complex topics like medical math and drug classifications on a schedule that fits around existing shifts.
Also, if you happen to have a family, then this learning setup is ideal for you, as you can maintain your current income while completing pharmacy technician courses online, and then move into a clinical externship.
But You Do Need Certification
Now, before you get all excited that you don’t need a degree to become a pharmacy technician, you should also know that you are still required to pass a certification exam, the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) by PTCB, to be exact.
For a warehouse associate, this certification represents more than just a new job title; it represents a move into a regulated profession where your value is based on your knowledge, not just your physical output. With this credential you can work in:
- Hospital Systems
- Specialty Pharmacies
- Closed-Door Pharmacies
Please note that you must have a high school diploma (or equivalent) and a certification of completion of an online pharmacy tech program.
How to Make the Switch from Warehouse to a Pharmacy?
Now, the real question, how to make the switch. Let’s keep it short and realistic.
Step 1:
First things first, you need to enroll in a training program. Choose a program that focuses on in-demand skills and trains you for the job itself, not just theory. A key aspect to remember is that whichever program you choose, it must offer an externship.
Step 2:
You will need to make time for revision and learning concepts on your own, despite being exhausted after work. For instance, you will be taught about laws and regulations, but you will need to revise them on your own to ensure you fully understand what can and cannot be done as a pharmacy technician.
Step 3:
Finally, you will need to take the certification exam. Having the PTCB credentials will ensure that employers know that you are a reliable and trustworthy candidate for the role.
Final Word for the Career Changer
Just remember that if you can manage a 100,000-square-foot fulfillment center’s inventory, you can definitely manage a pharmacy’s formulary. It’s time to stop moving boxes and start moving your career forward.
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