Most pharmacists have an assistant or two to help them with filling and dispensing prescriptions.
These assistants are usually called pharmacy technicians and they perform several other duties as well.
If you want to know how you can become one in the State of Georgia, read on!
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Job Responsibilities
The other tasks these techs perform are:
- Answering phone calls
- Mixing and measuring medication
- Counting pills
- Making labels for prescription bottles
- Ordering pharmacy supplies
- Putting out the inventory
In some cases, they might have to learn how to administer vaccines.
Pharmacy Technician Requirements
In Georgia, the minimum requirements to become a pharmacy technician, are:
- At least 17 years old
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Register with the Georgia Board of Pharmacy
There’s no certification needed for this position, but you can obtain one for better employment opportunities and developing a career.
There’s also no need for formal training as most pharmacy techs get trained on the job and work under direct supervision.
To register with the Board, you need to send a request along with a fee of $100.
Passing a background check is mandatory for your request to be accepted.
June 30th of odd-numbered years is the deadline by which pharmacy techs in Georgia need to renew their registrations.
Those who are registered with boards from other states still have to register with the Board in Georgia to be able to work in this field.
Pharmacy Technician Training Schools
Despite not needing formal training or diplomas for this position, individuals can enroll in training programs as this improves their chances of finding a job.
Most institutions offer both classroom education and clinical practice and can be completed in under 2 years.
Individuals can obtain any of the following:
- Diploma
- Certificate
- Associates degree
The schools offering such training programs have pretty standard enrolling requirements, though there are some differences.
For instance, the Atlanta Technical College requires its future students to be at least 18 years old and not have any convictions in the past 5 years, especially not related to drugs.
At the Columbus Technical College, the minimum age for enrolling is 16, while those who want to enroll at the Ogeechee Technical College need to pass a Hepatitis B Series and TB skin tests.
School Name | Address |
---|---|
Albany Technical College | 1704 South Slappey Boulevard, Albany, Georgia 31701 |
Atlanta Technical College | 1560 Metropolitan Pky SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30310-4446 |
Augusta Technical College | 3200 Augusta Tech Drive, Augusta, Georgia 30906 |
Central Georgia Technical College | 80 Cohen Walker Drive, Warner Robins, Georgia 31088 |
Columbus Technical College | 928 Manchester Expy, Columbus, Georgia 31904-6572 |
Lanier Technical College | 2990 Landrum Education Dr, Oakwood, Georgia 30566 |
North Georgia Technical College | 1500 Georgia Hwy 197 N, Clarkesville, Georgia 30523 |
Oconee Fall Line Technical College | 1189 Deepstep Rd, Sandersville, Georgia 31082 |
Ogeechee Technical College | One Joseph E. Kennedy Blvd, Statesboro, Georgia 30458 |
School of Health | 3076 Riverside Dr. Suite 700, Macon, Georgia 31210 |
Southeastern Technical College | 3001 E First St, Vidalia, Georgia 30474 |
Southern Crescent Technical College | 501 Varsity Rd, Griffin, Georgia 30223-2042 |
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College | 4089 Val Tech Rd, Valdosta, Georgia 31602 |
Certification
If you want to become certified in Georgia, you need to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).
This exam costs $129 and is offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
Those who pass the exam become Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
Salary
As implied, formal education and certification can increase how much you’ll make as a pharmacy tech in Georgia.
Currently, the median salary for this occupation is $33,915 per year.
Annual Salary Range:Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Atlanta | $34,675 |
Augusta | $32,593 |
Columbus | $31,671 |
Macon | $32,562 |
Savannah | $32,769 |
Athens | $34,430 |
Roswell | $34,545 |
Warner Robins | $32,463 |
Albany | $32,223 |
Alpharetta | $34,496 |
Regional Salary in Georgia
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albany, GA | 260 | $37,650 | $18.1 | $47,410 | $29,640 |
Athens-Clarke County, GA | 380 | $37,270 | $17.92 | $46,740 | $29,640 |
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 7,940 | $41,140 | $19.78 | $51,210 | $30,490 |
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 860 | $40,870 | $19.65 | $49,960 | $30,360 |
Brunswick, GA | 160 | $38,970 | $18.74 | $45,720 | $28,800 |
Columbus, GA-AL | 410 | $38,450 | $18.48 | $50,100 | $29,740 |
Dalton, GA | 200 | $36,940 | $17.76 | $44,470 | $29,640 |
Gainesville, GA | 320 | $39,080 | $18.79 | $48,220 | $29,270 |
Hinesville, GA | 70 | $40,640 | $19.54 | $53,210 | $28,960 |
Macon, GA | 370 | $38,050 | $18.29 | $48,790 | $29,810 |
Rome, GA | 190 | $39,490 | $18.99 | $46,610 | $30,410 |
Savannah, GA | 690 | $37,750 | $18.15 | $45,970 | $27,930 |
Valdosta, GA | 250 | $36,450 | $17.52 | $46,380 | $29,430 |
Warner Robins, GA | 240 | $36,780 | $17.69 | $43,910 | $29,200 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Extra Information
These technicians can find employment in many different facilities.
These include:
- Home infusion pharmacies
- Hospital pharmacies,
- Retail pharmacies,
- Institution pharmacies,
- Major drug companies
- Military base pharmacies
Read the full guide: How to Become a Pharmacy Technician