Most pharmacy technicians are employed in community pharmacies or hospital or medical centre pharmacies. Some are employed by health insurance companies, third party billing centres (for example, Alberta Blue Cross) or related organizations such as pharmaceutical companies, drug wholesalers and pharmacy supply companies.
Most pharmacy technicians find placements in neighbourhood pharmacies, hospitals, or medical centres. They can also work for:
- Health insurance companies
- Third-party billing centres such as Alberta Blue Cross
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Drug wholesalers
- Pharmacy supply companies
Depending on the size and nature of the organization, experienced pharmacy technicians may advance to supervisory positions.
Pharmacy technicians are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 3219: Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health). In Alberta, 95% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook (pdf) in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
- Trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
- Location in Alberta
- Employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
- Occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
- Size of the occupation
According to the Pharmacy Technician Society of Alberta (PTSA), there are about 1,450 practising pharmacy technicians in the province (2019 estimate).
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, the 3219: Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health) occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 96 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.