Your Guide To Pharmacy Technician Certification and Training Pathways
Here we have a general overview and guide to obtaining
pharmacy technician certification.
It is designed to help you with deciding the type of training you will need to undertake in preparation for a secure career in the pharmaceutical industry.
Refer to the table below for a quick overview of your pharmacy technician certification study options to determine which direction you'd like to take, and then make your move!
It is designed to help you with deciding the type of training you will need to undertake in preparation for a secure career in the pharmaceutical industry.
Refer to the table below for a quick overview of your pharmacy technician certification study options to determine which direction you'd like to take, and then make your move!
| Pharmacy Technician Certification Pathways | |||
| Levels |
Certification
Type |
Duration |
Average
Cost |
| 1 | Certificate | 1-4 months | $500 - $2,000 |
| 2 | Diploma | 12 months | $4,000 - 8,000 |
| 3 | Degree | 2-3 years | $12,000 - 22,000 |
If you're new to the
industry and looking for a career as a pharmacy technician, undertaking
some training is a good decision. Not only will pharmacy technician
training prepare you for the role, it will also give you an added edge
over your competitors in the job market, and empower you to negotiate a
better salary when you land the position.
If you are motivated by this to pursue a pharmacy technician certification, the next thing to think about is what sort of qualification you want to achieve. This will largely depend on your personal and financial situation, and of course what sort of position you are aiming for.
Take a look at the chart above. This information is intended to act as a guide for you in deciding which pathway to take. You will see the average course duration and cost for each level of training; usually certificate level, diploma, or a more prestigious degree.
Now, if you simply want to work as a pharmacy technician for a bit of extra money on the side, studying for a 1-4 month certificate is probably sufficient. However, you may really wish to pursue a career in pharmacy work, in which case a higher level of education could really benefit you. Consider undertaking at least a 12-month diploma if you are in the position to do so- this will mean a significantly higher salary for when you start work. A degree is obviously the ideal option, and would make you a very desirable candidate for jobs.
Further to this, a pharmacy technician degree would make it much easier for you to move on to pharmacist training later on down the line. Some of the units you undertake as a pharmacy technician may be counted as credit toward a pharmacist degree. Once you are established as a good pharmacy technician, many employers would be willing to assist you in undertaking that further training.
If you are motivated by this to pursue a pharmacy technician certification, the next thing to think about is what sort of qualification you want to achieve. This will largely depend on your personal and financial situation, and of course what sort of position you are aiming for.
Take a look at the chart above. This information is intended to act as a guide for you in deciding which pathway to take. You will see the average course duration and cost for each level of training; usually certificate level, diploma, or a more prestigious degree.
Now, if you simply want to work as a pharmacy technician for a bit of extra money on the side, studying for a 1-4 month certificate is probably sufficient. However, you may really wish to pursue a career in pharmacy work, in which case a higher level of education could really benefit you. Consider undertaking at least a 12-month diploma if you are in the position to do so- this will mean a significantly higher salary for when you start work. A degree is obviously the ideal option, and would make you a very desirable candidate for jobs.
Further to this, a pharmacy technician degree would make it much easier for you to move on to pharmacist training later on down the line. Some of the units you undertake as a pharmacy technician may be counted as credit toward a pharmacist degree. Once you are established as a good pharmacy technician, many employers would be willing to assist you in undertaking that further training.
The
Pharmacy Technician Certification
Process
While pharmacy technician certification is becoming mandatory in more and more states and locations every year, it is highly recommended that new and veteran pharmacy technicians alike become certified so as to show their dedication to their work and to show proof to potential employers that they possess the requisite knowledge and training to practice what is a highly responsible health care profession.
Even some states where pharmacy technician certification is optional do enforce a specified certified to non certified technician ratio, so that certification is highly recommended in these states in order to be guaranteed a position as well as in order to attain a higher level of salary as a supervisor of non certified technicians.
Pharmacy technician certification is made available by two major associations, the PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) and the ICPT (Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians). The requirements for both institutes of pharmacy technician certification are similar, as are the examinations that each one administers at various convenient locations throughout the United States and even abroad. Online registration for the pharmacy technician certification exam is simple and convenient, and allows the candidate to easily make the reasonable payment due to the testing organization as well as to select a convenient testing center, date and time for the exam.
Basically, to be eligible for pharmacy technician certification, a candidate must be a high school graduate or GED recipient of 18 years of age or over and of sound moral character with no criminal record. Each certifying organization has a comprehensive and clear website listing the topics that will be covered on its version of the pharmacy technician certification exam.
These topics include the role and limitations of the pharmacy technician vis-a-vis the registered pharmacist, as well as crucial topics such as laws relating to prescription and OTC medications and even sterile technique for compounding medications. Therefore, proper preparation and study for the pharmacy technician certification exam is a must, and the certifying associations include information to guide study and preparation on their websites.
Preparation for the pharmacy technician certification exam is not difficult, with online and on-site preparatory courses and practice exams available from a host of reliable adult education services including colleges and universities. Community colleges also provide training which will enable a candidate to successfully pass either exam for pharmacy technician certification, and such training along with online review will practically guarantee successful test results for the properly dedicated candidate.
The pharmacy technician certification process is meant to ensure that the pharmacy technician is indeed knowledgeable enough to properly assist registered pharmacists in dispensing medication, and properly certified pharmacy technicians are in demand in hospital and non-traditional pharmacy settings as well as in traditional independent and chain retail pharmacies.
While pharmacy technician certification is becoming mandatory in more and more states and locations every year, it is highly recommended that new and veteran pharmacy technicians alike become certified so as to show their dedication to their work and to show proof to potential employers that they possess the requisite knowledge and training to practice what is a highly responsible health care profession.
Even some states where pharmacy technician certification is optional do enforce a specified certified to non certified technician ratio, so that certification is highly recommended in these states in order to be guaranteed a position as well as in order to attain a higher level of salary as a supervisor of non certified technicians.
Pharmacy technician certification is made available by two major associations, the PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) and the ICPT (Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians). The requirements for both institutes of pharmacy technician certification are similar, as are the examinations that each one administers at various convenient locations throughout the United States and even abroad. Online registration for the pharmacy technician certification exam is simple and convenient, and allows the candidate to easily make the reasonable payment due to the testing organization as well as to select a convenient testing center, date and time for the exam.
Basically, to be eligible for pharmacy technician certification, a candidate must be a high school graduate or GED recipient of 18 years of age or over and of sound moral character with no criminal record. Each certifying organization has a comprehensive and clear website listing the topics that will be covered on its version of the pharmacy technician certification exam.
These topics include the role and limitations of the pharmacy technician vis-a-vis the registered pharmacist, as well as crucial topics such as laws relating to prescription and OTC medications and even sterile technique for compounding medications. Therefore, proper preparation and study for the pharmacy technician certification exam is a must, and the certifying associations include information to guide study and preparation on their websites.
Preparation for the pharmacy technician certification exam is not difficult, with online and on-site preparatory courses and practice exams available from a host of reliable adult education services including colleges and universities. Community colleges also provide training which will enable a candidate to successfully pass either exam for pharmacy technician certification, and such training along with online review will practically guarantee successful test results for the properly dedicated candidate.
The pharmacy technician certification process is meant to ensure that the pharmacy technician is indeed knowledgeable enough to properly assist registered pharmacists in dispensing medication, and properly certified pharmacy technicians are in demand in hospital and non-traditional pharmacy settings as well as in traditional independent and chain retail pharmacies.
While
opportunities and salaries for pharmacy technicians are constantly
growing with the overall expansion of the health care industry and
pressures to cut costs, the tasks technicians perform are growing in
complexity as well so that pharmacy technician certification and the
knowledge needed to attain it are becoming more and more of a necessity
for success and advancement in the pharmacy technician field.
Therefore, even in states where pharmacy technician certification is not mandatory, more and more present and potential pharmacy technicians are seeking the qualification, and are finding that there are more options open to them with the additional credential, just as they find that preparation for the pharmacy technician certification exam is easily available thanks to the internet which has also made registering for the exam simple and convenient.
Indeed, pharmacy technician certification is becoming a routine, yet rewarding, process for those who wish to seek employment or advance their careers as pharmacy technicians. With the increasing need for technicians and the increasing responsibilities which technicians enjoy, the pharmacy technician certification credential assures employers and patients that proper training has been provided and understood.
These valued professionals are often assisting overburdened pharmacists in ensuring that all necessary medication obtained is properly dispensed, with every prescription being properly understood. Technicians are expected to understand each patient's medical situation and respond at a level which truly contributes to the care and well-being of each patient whom he or she serves in the pharmacy.
Therefore, even in states where pharmacy technician certification is not mandatory, more and more present and potential pharmacy technicians are seeking the qualification, and are finding that there are more options open to them with the additional credential, just as they find that preparation for the pharmacy technician certification exam is easily available thanks to the internet which has also made registering for the exam simple and convenient.
Indeed, pharmacy technician certification is becoming a routine, yet rewarding, process for those who wish to seek employment or advance their careers as pharmacy technicians. With the increasing need for technicians and the increasing responsibilities which technicians enjoy, the pharmacy technician certification credential assures employers and patients that proper training has been provided and understood.
These valued professionals are often assisting overburdened pharmacists in ensuring that all necessary medication obtained is properly dispensed, with every prescription being properly understood. Technicians are expected to understand each patient's medical situation and respond at a level which truly contributes to the care and well-being of each patient whom he or she serves in the pharmacy.
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