Which Is It?
// February 9th, 2010 // Comments Off // Pharmacy Technician
A job. A career. A profession. What is it, exactly, that you consider the role of a pharmacy technician to be? Within certain circles, this question has been the source for heated debates. (Seriously?!) This question does, however, have implications on the perception and recognition of pharmacy technicians by both patients and pharmacists.
A job is defined as “a regular activity performed in exchange for payment, especially as one’s trade, occupation, or profession.”
A career is defined as “a profession for which one trains and which is undertaken as a permanent calling.”
A profession is defined as “a calling requiring specialized knowledge and preparation.”
In my opinion, for some, being a pharmacy technician is simply a job. For many others, it’s a career and it’s a profession. It all depends upon what an individual puts into it and, likewise, expects to get out of it. The individual working as a pharmacy technician just while finishing college likely doesn’t view himself as a professional, whereas the mother of two who has been working as a pharmacy technician for 15 years probably does consider this her profession. This does not make one group “right” or “better than” another group.
For me personally, being a pharmacy technician is my profession and I’m proud to declare it as such. I presume the same is true for the majority of our readers and members. However you choose to answer the question for yourself, remember to always demonstrate professionalism to your patients, your pharmacists and your co-workers.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject.
Take our quick poll and voice your opinion as to whether you view pharmacy technician as a job, a career or a profession:
