Nuclear pharmacy technicians are the best paid of all the pharmacy technicians. Various job surveys indicate that the profession of pharmacy technician is one of the fastest growing in the health care area. Unfortunately it is not the best paid, unless you seek out and find an in demand specialty.

Nuclear pharmacy is the best paying of the options. Getting the specialized training is the basis for moving into that field. If you live in an area where pharmacy technicians are difficult to find and you have hospital pharmacy and compounding experience you might be lucky enough to get trained in nuclear pharmacy.  

But for those who live where pharmacy technicians are plentiful, you will need to find specialized training on your own. A few years ago it was difficult to find a program just for pharmacy technicians most of the training was for pharmacists. The Pharmacist profession has increasing opportunities to do internships in nuclear pharmacy, but as yet pharmacy technicians do not have that option. 

What Is a Nuclear Pharmacy Technician and What Do They Do?

There are many aspects of specializations within nuclear pharmacy including: regulatory affairs, OSHA compliance, and radiation health. Most Pharmacy technicians begin with getting a footing in radiopharmaceuticals, abbreviations, and the medical terminology that applies to the field.  

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Training will be comprised of developing a working knowledge of drug dosages for various populations in various forms, imaging therapies, and diagnostic procedures.

A nuclear pharmacy technician manipulates and dispenses radiopharmaceuticals in compliance with the hospitals safety, quality assurance and federal regulations.

Safety

This is an area where the health and safety of those working in the pharmacy with radiation must be taken into consideration. More precautions and preventions need to be put in place when working with dangerous levels of radiation that can expose employees and patients to significant health risk. The use of specialized equipment including biological safety cabinets designed for this purpose and possibly even robots in some larger hospital settings are the tools technicians will be working with under the supervision of a pharmacist.  

If pharmacy technicians want to develop a specialty that pays more money, are used to working with precision and can accept the potential health risk this may be an option that is worth exploring.