The pharmacy technician is assigned to work in the pharmacy while the ultrasound technician is working inside the ultrasound diagnosis room where his ultrasound machines are located. Comparing the different aspects in both professions is a bit difficult since they are both related in Medicine and both professions could work in the same industry. This article will provide comparison regarding the education, the job description, the job outlook and the average income for both professions.
The pharmacy technician education when compared with the ultrasound sonography education is easier to accomplish. This is in terms of the period the students need to spend in schools just to finish the formal education required by both professions. The pharmacy technician training usually takes about one year to complete while ultrasound tech students must spend at least two years in order to accomplish the formal education required. A four-year bachelor degree program can also be opted by those who are interested to pursuing a career further in the field of medical sonography. Although there is also a one-year certificate program available for training, it is not intended for all interested individuals. The one-year certificate program is intended for the medical professionals who are currently employed in the field of allied health services field and want to add skills to their medical career.
Pharmacy technician training can be accomplished solely in an online program while sonography education can be both acquired from online schools and real schools. The most important requirement for an individual to be qualified in any of the pharmacy schools is a high school diploma or equivalent. There is no need for previous bachelor degree course if you are interested to become pharmacist assistant. Usually, pharmacy technician education is offered in community colleges and technical colleges. Sometimes, it is offered by hospitals, by the military or by a pharmaceutical company. The requirement for the individuals who are interested to pursue ultrasound career is a high school diploma (having at least 2.75 GWA) or GED equivalent. Education for sonography courses can be accomplished in training institutions such as universities, schools, community colleges and sometimes in hospitals for the one-year certificate programs for the medical practitioners.
The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (the ARDMS) is the independent professional organization, which is responsible in issuing certification, registration and license in the field of ultrasound sonography. Although license is optional, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics recommends ultrasound technicians to acquire license in order to have higher salaries. Pharmacy technician certification can be acquired after finishing the training in any of the pharmacy schools online. Although certification for pharmacy technicians is not usually required by most states, there are those who opt to be registered in order to enhance employment and have greater possibilities of gaining higher salary. The ICPT, Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians and the PTCB, Pharmacy Technician Certification Board are the private organizations providing certifications for pharmacy technicians.
Today, the ultrasound tech salary range is$34,702 to $78,158 per year with an hourly rate of $17.38 to $36.64. Comparing this with pharmacy tech salary, the yearly income of pharmacy assistants can start from $16,735 to $34,453 per year and an hourly rate of $8.00 to $15.40. The sonography salary is much higher than the salary offered for the pharmacy technician.
Whether one chooses to become a pharmacy technician or diagnostic medical sonographer, it is important to have an idea or the complete information about the profession one decided to pursue. Becoming a pharmacy technician is one of the easiest and the fastest way to earn a living after graduation from a training, which is why deciding to pursue it can help those who are financially incapable to have a competitive career in the field of allied health services.
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