Pharmaceutical technician
Encyclopedia
Pharmaceutical Technician or Pharmaceutical Research Technician or Drug Technician is a job title for a laboratory assistant or research assistant
employed in the pharmaceutical industry under the direct supervision of a physician
, veterinarian
, or scientist
involved in the research and development
of new or existing medications. In most cases, job responsibilities include supervising ongoing experiments, recording laboratory results, keeping records, testing for various compounds, and maintaining laboratory cleanliness. More responsibilities are typically given as the pharmaceutical technician gains experience in laboratory techniques and proper research methodology.
or technical institute. Additional training in laboratory technique may be on-the-job. Some states in the United States offer 1 year training programs for pharmaceutical research technicians. In addition, some pharmaceutical technicians may be students majoring in pharmacy or biological sciences assisting research professors in their work.
Research assistant
A research assistant is a researcher employed, often on a temporary contract, by a university or a research institute, for the purpose of assisting in academic research...
employed in the pharmaceutical industry under the direct supervision of a physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
, or scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
involved in the research and development
Research and development
The phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
of new or existing medications. In most cases, job responsibilities include supervising ongoing experiments, recording laboratory results, keeping records, testing for various compounds, and maintaining laboratory cleanliness. More responsibilities are typically given as the pharmaceutical technician gains experience in laboratory techniques and proper research methodology.
Educational Experience and Certification
Most pharmaceutical technicians have completed 2 years at a collegeCollege
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
or technical institute. Additional training in laboratory technique may be on-the-job. Some states in the United States offer 1 year training programs for pharmaceutical research technicians. In addition, some pharmaceutical technicians may be students majoring in pharmacy or biological sciences assisting research professors in their work.