Pharmacy Technicians
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Pharmacy Technicians fill and label patients' prescriptions under the supervision of Pharmacists. They may record details of, place orders for, take stock of, and store medications and medical supplies and deliver them to patients.
Tasks
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Refers prescriptions to pharmacists and assists in preparing medications.
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Administrative
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Light
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Medical Technicians, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 53% of people employed as Pharmacy Technicians work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 13 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 40 hours per week in their main job. This is 4 hours less than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Pharmacy Technicians work in the Retail trade industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Pharmacy Technicians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 29.4 | 31.6 |
VIC | 30.9 | 25.6 |
QLD | 17.9 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 9.1 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.8 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.8 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.5 | 1.9 |
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Around 50% of Pharmacy Technicians live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Pharmacy Technicians is 37 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 90% of the workforce. This is 42 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Pharmacy Technicians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 2.5 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 12.9 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 28.8 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 23.6 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 20.2 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 7.2 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 3.3 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.5 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 37 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Pharmaceutical experience is usually needed to work as a Pharmacy Technician. Some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in community pharmacy dispensary.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Health Industry and Laboratory Operations VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Pharmacy Technicians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 4.1 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 14.9 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 7.6 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 36.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 20.6 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 5.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 11.0 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Medical Technicians who have good people skills, a high attention to detail and are accurate.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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55%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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52%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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52%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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46%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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45%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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43%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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41%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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41%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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39%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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39%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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37%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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37%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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34%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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34%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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29%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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27%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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23%
Management of material resourcesProviding the right equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do work.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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73%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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56%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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49%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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48%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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44%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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43%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
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38%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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37%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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37%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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36%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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36%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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35%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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33%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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28%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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26%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
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25%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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24%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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23%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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21%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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14%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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59%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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57%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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57%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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52%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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50%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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50%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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48%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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46%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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45%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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45%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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45%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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43%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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43%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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43%
Working with numbersAdd, subtract, multiply, or divide.
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41%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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41%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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41%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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37%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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77%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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66%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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66%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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64%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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64%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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61%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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61%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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60%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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58%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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58%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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56%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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55%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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54%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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52%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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48%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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48%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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48%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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47%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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46%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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44%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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71%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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52%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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43%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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38%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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76%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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71%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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43%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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43%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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43%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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40%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
Demands
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99%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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96%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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95%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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94%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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93%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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90%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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90%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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90%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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90%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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88%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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86%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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83%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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81%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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81%
Angry or unpleasant peopleDeal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
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81%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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77%
Disease or infectionBe exposed to disease or infections.
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74%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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73%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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71%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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71%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 29-2052.00 - Pharmacy Technicians.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.