Medical Biller and Coder vs Pharmacy Technician
As the demand for healthcare services continues to grow, so does the need for professionals who can handle the administrative and technical aspects of medical care. Medical billers and coders and pharmacy technicians play crucial roles in ensuring accurate billing, coding, and medication dispensing. While their responsibilities may overlap in some areas, the specific tasks they perform and the skills required for each role are quite different.
Key Points
- Medical billers and coders handle coding and billing for healthcare services, while pharmacy technicians assist in preparing and dispensing medications.
- To become a medical biller and coder, a certificate or associate degree is often required, whereas pharmacy technicians usually need formal training and certification.
- Medical billers and coders typically work in healthcare facilities like hospitals or clinics, while pharmacy technicians are commonly found in pharmacies or healthcare settings where medications are dispensed.
- The average medical biller and coder salary is $48,780 per year. On the other hand, the average pharmacy technician salary is $40,300 per year.
- Medical billers and coders focus on administrative tasks, including insurance claims and patient records, whereas pharmacy technicians concentrate on medication management and customer service.
Medical Biller and Coder vs Pharmacy Technician: Education and Training
Medical Biller and Coder
To become a medical biller and coder, you typically need to complete a postsecondary certificate or associate degree program in medical billing and coding. These programs provide training in medical terminology, coding systems, insurance billing processes, and healthcare laws and regulations. Some programs also offer hands-on experience through internships or practicum opportunities.
Pharmacy Technician
The educational requirements for pharmacy technicians vary by state. Some states require completion of a formal training program, while others only require a high school diploma or equivalent. Many community colleges and vocational schools offer pharmacy technician training programs that can be completed in less than a year. These programs cover topics such as pharmacology, pharmacy law and ethics, dosage calculations, and medication safety.
Medical Biller and Coder vs Pharmacy Technician: Career Outlook and Salary
Medical Biller and Coder
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of medical records specialist (which includes medical billers and coders) is projected to grow 9 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. The increasing demand for healthcare services and the transition to electronic health records are expected to drive this growth. As of May 2023, the median annual wage for medical records and health information technicians was $48,780.
Pharmacy Technician
The BLS projects that employment of pharmacy technicians will grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The demand for prescription medications is expected to increase as the population ages. As of May 2023, the median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $40,300.
Final Thoughts
Both medical billers and coders and pharmacy technicians play vital roles in the healthcare industry, but they have distinct differences in terms of job responsibilities, education and training requirements, and career outlook. If you have a strong interest in healthcare administration, coding, and billing processes, becoming a medical biller and coder may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you have a passion for pharmaceuticals, medication dispensing, and customer service, a career as a pharmacy technician may be a better fit. Ultimately, the decision between these two professions should be based on your interests, skills, and long-term career goals.
Dreambound's programs extend across various locations. Visit these blogs for a thorough exploration of the two vocations, encompassing details on their requirements and insights on how to get started:
Blessed Joy Amarga is part of the Growth and Sales teams at Dreambound. She helps bring in new leads, increasing the number of people at the top of the sales funnel, and supporting the team in creating graphics to boost social media engagement. Blessed is also a Licensed Architect. Outside work, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places for her vlog.