Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technician

Duties and Responsibilities:

            They work under the direction of a pharmacist. Their main responsibility is filling prescriptions according to doctors’ orders for patients. Technicians measure out correct amounts of medication from larger containers to prescription size containers. In addition, they add drugs to intravenous solutions. All of their prescription filling work is rechecked by a pharmacist before medications are dispensed to patients or customers. Other duties of pharmacy technicians are:

·        Checking inventories and ordering supplies.

·        Receiving and checking in supplies.

·        Waiting on customers.

·        Keeping pharmacy work areas clean.

·        Helping fill out insurance forms.

Average Salary:  $15,000 - $25,000

Educational Requirements:

Students should take math, science (especially chemistry), and typing courses in high school.

A high school diploma is regularly required to begin pharmacy technician training.  Two year courses leading to certificates are available at most community colleges.  Six month programs are offered sometimes at privately operated schools.

I would like to be a Pharmacy Technician because although the work may be easy the pay is still not very good to maintain someone in today’s economy.

SSS #57

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."

- Henry David Thoreau

Reflection: One should not say they want something in their life and not work towards achieving it. We need to work towards our goals and with 100% feet forward because if we wish to receive what we desire then we need to work for it. Right now I am trying to lose 30 lbs and I have been going to the gym much more than other people do and I eat a lot healthier than I have before.

Pharmacist

Pharmacist

Duties and Responsibilities:

            Pharmacists compound, or prepare, prescriptions written by physicians, dentists, and other practitioners. They review these prescriptions to validate their accuracy and then prepare the medication.  This usually involves weighing, measuring, mixing some medications. Once the order for medication has been completed, the pharmacists then give the customers the medication.

            Patients answer patients’ and customers’ questions about medication they are taking and what can be sold over the counter. Sometimes the pharmacist is responsible for taking inventory of the drugs on the shelves and ordering any in which they have a low supply on.

Average: $33,000 - $51,000

Educational Requirements:

            Students should take the most challenging high school classes available in English, math, and science.

            Every pharmacist must graduate from a college of Pharmacy. Most pharmacy schools require applicants to take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT), and some require up to two years of pre-pharmacy education. Other colleges will admit students directly from high school.

I would like to be one but I would prefer to be paid more to be a pharmacist.

SSS #56

"I will persist until I succeed"

- OG Mandino

Reflection: Whenever I see that I mess up in a song, I practice solely that part of the song. I practice and practice and practice until I I get it right and I know once I get that piece right the song in its entirety sounds so much better. When I practice my shots in basketball, I do not finish practicing unless I have made 10 free throw in a row. I miss just one then I start all over from zero.

Perfusionist

Perfusionist

Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical perfusionists operate circulation equipment during medical situations when it is necessary to temporarily and artificially replace the patient’s circulatory or respiratory functions. This usually occurs during heart surgery and other similar operations. Perfusionists also control the temperature of patients during surgery. Their duties involve:

·        Operating heart-lung machines

·        Applying several types of anesthesia

·        Apply several types of medication

Average Salary: $50,000

Educational Requirements:

A high school diploma with a thorough background in biology and chemistry is required to be accepted into and perfusionist training program. Admissions prefer students with college science work or experience in respiratory therapy and medical terminology.

Perfusionist training programs are given at academic health centers, medical schools, and several universities. They emphasize hands-on, practical training. Course length varies, but for the school to be recognized by the American Academy of Cardiac Perfusionists, the curriculum must include the supervised performance of 150 procedures to include 20 pediatric and infant cases.

I would like to become a perfusionist but sadly I do not have a strong background in biology or chemistry.

SSS #55

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistance. Talent will not; nothing is more common then unsuccessful men with talent.

Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistance and Determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."

- Calvin Coolidge

Reflection: Examples are posted up everywhere. Many of my older friends are extremely talents musicians and singer but they have not hit fame. Many people are intelligent such as the Dennis Ritchie, who created C, the programming language but he was never a big name to the common person. There are also many smart students in HPIAM but they never put their best foot forward in an attempt to succeed in life.

Calvin Coolidge

Dennis Ritchie

Patient Representative

Patient Representative

Duties and Responsibilities:

            Patient Reps work for healthcare administrators and address the concerns and special needs of patients and their families. They evaluate patient satisfaction, investigate complaints, collect info about patient satisfaction, work with departments to resolve patient problems, and educate staff. Patient reps usually work in hospitals, nursing homes, other long-term care facilities, and in public health agencies.

Average Salary: $20,000 - $40,000

Educational Requirements:

            Students seeking to pursue this career should take challenging high school curriculum in business, science, math, and English.

            Requirements differ, but many if not most employers prefer applicants who have graduated college with backgrounds in health or social services.

I would not like to be a Patient Representative because I do not believe $40,000 is enough for me to accomplish my goals.