While a lot of people are under the impression that you need at least a four-year medical degree to enter healthcare, it is not the case. In fact, breaking into healthcare doesn’t always even require residency or a mountain of student debt.
Interestingly, some of the most vital roles in the patient care ecosystem are filled by professionals who transitioned into the field in less than a year. However, it should be noted that these fall under the category of allied healthcare.
Now, if you’ve been considering a career change but aren’t sure if you’re ready or have the skills for the medical world, you might be surprised to find that your current skill set might be exactly what the industry needs.
Here are seven signs you’re ready to start a career in healthcare, specifically as a pharmacy technician.
1. You Have a “Service-First” Mentality
Do you find genuine satisfaction in helping someone solve a problem? Well, then there’s great news for you because in healthcare, every interaction is an opportunity to improve a patient’s day.
As a pharmacy technician, you are often the final point of contact before a patient begins their treatment. If you can handle a busy retail or hospital environment with a smile and a helpful attitude, you already possess the most unteachable skill in medicine.
2. You Are Detail-Oriented
In the world of pharmacy (and overall healthcare), the difference between milligrams and micrograms can be somebody getting treated or ending up in the emergency room. To put it simply, accuracy is essential in this industry.
So, if you are the type of person who double-checks your work, follows checklists religiously, and notices when something feels off, you are built for pharmacy work. You should also be thrilled to know that most pharmacy technician courses online focus heavily on pharmaceutical calculations and inventory management to sharpen this natural attention to detail into a professional skill.
3. You Thrive in Fast-Paced Environments
Healthcare is not an industry that stands still. Whether it’s a surge in seasonal flu shots or a busy shift at a clinical pharmacy, you will need to be quick and move constantly.
If you prefer a dynamic workday over sitting behind a desk staring at a screen for eight hours, the pharmacy environment just might be for you. It will keep you engaged and energized.
4. You’re Looking for a Secure Career
While many industries are being disrupted by AI automation, the need for human oversight in healthcare is growing. Additionally, healthcare is one industry that wasn’t shaken up by the recession or the COVID-19 pandemic. Not to mention that the aging population and the expansion of pharmaceutical research have made pharmacy technicians more essential than ever.
So, if you plan to build a career in a field that will not be shaken up by economic downturn or latest trends, this is the way to go.
5. You Want Flexibility in Your Work
Not everyone wants a 9-to-5, and if you’re one of them, then a pharmacy technician might be the ideal role for you, as it offers different work settings. You aren’t limited to the local corner drugstore. You could work in:
- Hospitals: Managing IV medications and clinical supplies.
- Compounding Pharmacies: Creating customized medications.
- Mail-Order Facilities: Focusing on logistics and high-volume processing.
- Remote Roles: Assisting with insurance claims and prior authorizations.
6. You Find Solutions
Sometimes an insurance claim is rejected, or a specific medication is on backorder. What separates a great pharma tech from a decent one is how they tackle and solve a problem.
If you prefer finding solutions for problems instead of accepting them as they are, you’ll find the role of a technician incredibly rewarding.
7. You’re Ready for a Change Now, Not in Four Years
The biggest sign you’re ready for healthcare is a sense of urgency. You want a professional title, a better salary, and a sense of purpose, but you don’t have four years to spend in a classroom.