Pharmacy technicians play a vital role in the healthcare system, assisting pharmacists with the safe and accurate preparation and dispensing of medications. In Singapore, pharmacy technicians are in high demand, with the industry projected to grow by 5% over the next decade.
1. Complete a Pharmacy Technician Diploma Course
The first step to becoming a pharmacy technician in Singapore is to complete a pharmacy technician diploma course accredited by the Singapore Pharmacy Council (SPC). These courses typically take 2 years to complete and cover topics such as:
- Pharmacy calculations
- Pharmacy law and ethics
- Pharmaceutical chemistry
- Medication preparation and dispensing
- Patient counseling
2. Register with the Singapore Pharmacy Council
After completing a pharmacy technician diploma course, you must register with the SPC to practice as a pharmacy technician in Singapore. To register, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Hold a Singapore Citizenship or Permanent Residency
- Have completed a SPC-accredited pharmacy technician diploma course
- Pass the SPC Pharmacy Technician Registration Examination
3. Complete Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Pharmacy technicians in Singapore are required to complete 15 hours of CPD every 3 years to maintain their registration. CPD activities can include attending workshops, conferences, or online courses.
4. Advance Your Career
Once you have registered as a pharmacy technician, you can advance your career by pursuing further qualifications or specializing in a particular area of pharmacy. Some common career paths for pharmacy technicians include:
- Hospital pharmacy
- Retail pharmacy
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Regulatory affairs
There are many benefits to becoming a pharmacy technician in Singapore, including:
- Job security: Pharmacy technicians are in high demand in Singapore, and the industry is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
- Competitive salary: Pharmacy technicians in Singapore can earn a starting salary of around S$2,500 per month. With experience, you can earn up to S$4,000 per month.
- Opportunities for advancement: There are many opportunities for pharmacy technicians to advance their careers in Singapore, including pursuing further qualifications or specializing in a particular area of pharmacy.
If you are interested in becoming a pharmacy technician in Singapore, there are a few things you can do to prepare for a successful career:
- Take math and science courses in high school. Pharmacy technicians need to have a strong foundation in math and science, so it is important to take as many math and science courses as possible in high school.
- Volunteer at a pharmacy. Volunteering at a pharmacy can give you a hands-on experience in the field and help you network with potential employers.
- Shadow a pharmacy technician. Shadowing a pharmacy technician can give you an up-close look at the day-to-day responsibilities of the job and help you decide if it is the right career for you.
- Singapore Pharmacy Council
- Association of Pharmacy Technicians Singapore (APTS)
- Temasek Polytechnic Pharmacy Technician Diploma Course
Becoming a pharmacy technician in Singapore is a rewarding career path with many opportunities for advancement. If you are interested in a career in healthcare and have a strong interest in math and science, then a career as a pharmacy technician may be the right choice for you.
