Pharmacy Technicians Sought in Oklahoma

While many companies are lying off workers, there's one profession looking to hire more people. Pharmacists across the state say they need more help behind the counter and they need it as soon as possible.

Thursday, September 17th 2009, 1:32 pm

By: News 9

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- While many companies are lying off workers, there's one profession looking to hire more people.

Pharmacists across the state say they need more help behind the counter and they need it as soon as possible. To help do this, Oklahoma City Community College is offering a certification course for pharmacy technicians.

Jeff Yanchick, a local pharmacist and a member of the Oklahoma Pharmacists Association, teaches the Technician I: Basic Prescriptions & Dispensing course. Yanchick says there are two reasons behind the growing need for pharmacy techs in Oklahoma.

There are a growing number of 24-hour pharmacies in the state and that means more workers are needed. There are also a growing number of elderly people in America. People age 80 and over are the fastest growing segment of the population, and most of them have taken one or more prescribed medications a day.

There's been a significant interest in the course and part of the reason is the economy.

"With the recession, it's a wonderful way in eight weeks to begin a new career. It's a certificate program that gives you the basics to go to a pharmacy and get employment", said Francine Gissy of Oklahoma City Community College.

For more information or enrollment, call OCCC's Corporate Learning office at 682-7562 or visit the Web site.