Pharmacy technician is a field experiencing continued growth. Despite the economy, the pharmacy technician is managing to hold its own. According to the Bureau of Labor, pharmacy technician field will continue to grow at approximately 25% for the next 6 to 8 years.
Most pharmacies are no longer individual establishments, but have become a part of a retail establishment and the population is becoming increasingly older and consuming more medication are the two primary reasons for the growth see by the pharmacy technician field.
Pharmacy Technician Practice Test
It is necessary to successfully pass the pharmacy technician certification test to become certified in the field of pharmacy technician. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Program is accredited by the National Commissioner for Certifying Agencies (NCAA). Technicians who pass the exam are granted the title of Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
The pharmacy technician test is a state based exam and administered by the state pharmacy board. The applicant must a minimum of 18 years of age and be a high school graduate. The applicant must also have no pharmacy or drug related convictions and no denial by any state board of pharmacy.
Not all states require a pharmacy technician to be certified, but it is highly recommended to consider becoming certified. A certification demonstrates the candidate’s proficiency and skills required for certification as well as raise the candidate to the bench mark that pharmacy technicians are measured.
The candidate for application must also complete an approved training program. The technician program of choice will depend on the technician level desired. Before choosing the program, give some thought to long term career goals.
If the intent is to use the position of pharmacy technician as just a step along the path to higher education and a career as a licensed professional pharmacist, a degree program, such as an associate degree, should be considered.
If the desire is to find employment as soon as possible, a certificate or diploma program will be the right choice. Keep in mind a degree will give the candidate the professional edge when it comes to being considered for employment, and an associate degree takes about 2 years to complete.
Pharmacy Technician Certification
Technicians who pass the pharmacy technician test will be eligible to work under the direction of a registered pharmacist in accordance with all the state rules and regulations. CPhT’s receive written prescription requests from patients or electronically from a Doctor’s office. Some states allow CPhT’s to process prescriptions requests via telephone.
Most pharmacy tech’s will find employment in health related facilities, retail and sometimes wholesale or retail facilities and standard pharmacy settings. Most pharmacy technician programs include a placement service to help those who pass the exam find suitable employment.
The schools sometimes sponsor and invite pharmacy representatives to interview students for possible employment. Employment can also be found the old fashioned way of sending out a resume and transcript of grades.
Other methods of finding employment are through online job posting sites such as Monster dot com. If the candidate is in a program that requires an internship at a pharmacy setting, that pharmacy is a prime candidate for application, provided the candidate had a successful internship.
Pharmacy Technician Registration
A pharmacy technician is employed in a pharmacy for the purpose of performing pharmacy related functions and works under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist.
Pharmacy tech’s will find employment in a variety of pharmacy related entities such as the neighborhood pharmacy, hospital or other health care facility, pharmacy manufacturers, insurance companies or even in teaching.
The Pharmacy Tech dispenses prescription medication and other medical devices to patients along with instructions for use. The pharmacy tech may also complete administrative duties such as reviewing prescription requests with the requesting Doctor’s office and insurance companies. The Pharmacy Tech has seen their duties expand as the number of registered pharmacists has diminished over the years.
The Pharmacy Tech has performs a variety of tasks including compounding and dispensing prescription medication, provide advice for over the counter medications, track and inventory medication and supply orders, follow up on payments and any other administrative work that needs to be done.
The requirements to become a pharmacy technician and complete the pharmacy technician registration include successful completion of a pharmacy tech training program.
The programs are offered by community colleges, technical and vocational training schools, teaching hospitals, some colleges and universities and even online. The military also offers pharmacy technician training.
Areas of study to prepare for a career as a pharmacy technician and eventual pharmacy technician registration are relevant drug legislation, pharmacotherapeutics, physiology, customer care, inventory management, healthcare ethics and law, hospital and retail software systems, infection control, medical terminology, human diseases and hospital practice.
Pharmacy tech candidates are also required to complete an internship program as part of the training. The requirements to apply for a pharmacy tech program are a high school diploma.
The requirements to apply for pharmacy technician registration vary from state to state. Most states require completion of a pharmacy technician program while a few do not. All states require the candidate be at least 18 years of age.
To qualify for pharmacy technician registration, the candidate must complete one of the following:
- an associate’s degree in pharmacy technology
- completion of a training program accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists
- any course that provides a minimum of 240 hours of instruction
- graduation from an accredited school of pharmacy, for those states that require some kind of training
Most states require pharmacy technician registration candidates be free from any convictions of misdemeanor charges or felonies and have no charges pending at the time of application. The candidate must have no DUI or any drug related charges in the state they are making application.
Pharmacy Technician registration is typically valid for a two year period and must be renewed within the renewable period to continue to be valid. The pharmacy tech may also take the pharmacy technician test to become certified.
Not all states require certification, but it will give the pharmacy tech a step ahead on non certified techs. A certification is a demonstration of the pharmacy technician’s proficiency and skills in pharmacy.
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