what is pharmacy technician course

Pharmacy Technician Program includes:

• The history of pharmacy; and the retail, hospital, home health, mail order and institutional pharmacies
• The role of the pharmacy technician; drug regulations and controls and HIPAA
• An extensive review of Pharmacy Calculations and pharmacy math – critical to PTCB certification

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Full Answer

What skills are required to be a pharmacy technician?

A course in pharmacy tech is a focused curriculum that trains you to excel in the world of retail, hospital or mail-order pharmacy. It trains you to think in a way that helps you address the needs of the patients and pharmacists you work with.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?

May 10, 2022 · In our online Pharmacy Technician Training Program, you'll learn the skills required to pursue a career in this field. Your courses include: Pharmacy Technician Orientation; Career Readiness; Pharmacology, Drug Class, and Body Systems, Part 1; Pharmacology, Drug Class, and Body Systems, Part 2; Pharmacy Practice Law and Regulations; Show Full Curriculum

What are the education requirements to become a pharmacy technician?

Pharmacy technicians are a vital part of the pharmacy team and work under the supervision, direction, or guidance of a pharmacist. Pharmacy Technicians work in a wide range of settings, including (but not exclusively): registered pharmacies, community services, justice (the Prison Service), GP Practices, dispensing doctors’ practices, care homes and clinical commissioning …

What classes do I need to become a pharmacy technician?

Foundations of Pharmacy Practice: In this course, you’ll get an introduction to the history of pharmacy and the role of a pharmacy technician. You’ll learn the basics of pharmacy laws and safety guidelines, compounding equipment, billing procedures, types of medication and routes of administration.

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Remington College has campuses across southern states and has a pharmacy technician diploma program. The program emphasizes teaching students about drug interactions, medical abbreviations, and patient care. Courses include first aid, career development, computers, and pharmacy law and ethics.

What is the salary for a Pharmacy Technician role?

With training and experience, some pharmacy technicians can earn as much as $33,950 per year¹ and job growth is projected to increase faster than a...

What can I do with a Pharmacy Technician diploma?

Pharmacy technician jobs can be found in a variety of environments such as local, national, and private hospitals, drug stores, grocery stores, nur...

How much does a Pharmacy Technician diploma cost?

We keep our program costs low and have special offers to keep your goals within reach. For as little as $899, our program also includes a PTCE prac...

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program accredited?

Yes! Penn Foster has been accredited for over 50 years. Penn Foster has been thoroughly reviewed and has earned several important accreditations, c...

What skills will I learn in this program?

Skills covered in the Pharmacy Technician training program include fundamentals of pharmacy and pharmacology, medical laws, ethics, regulations, an...

What is a pharmacy technician certification?

Certification is another way to prove you've completed the required education and gained the necessary skills to work in this career. Unlike a license, a certificate comes through a third-party agency and not your state’s government.

What is a pharmacy tech?

Working under the supervision of a pharmacist, a pharmacy technician helps both the pharmacist and the customer, often serving as a link between the two. Depending upon the particular setting in which they work, pharmacy techs may be responsible for measuring, mixing and compounding medications, contacting doctors’ offices to confirm dosing ...

Where do pharmacy techs work?

Pharmacy techs work in all sorts of pharmacies, including those you see in grocery stores and department stores. Local and national drug stores offer a lot of pharmacy technician jobs. Health systems with inpatient and outpatient pharmacies also hire these medical professionals to help process prescription requests.

What is the role of a pharmacy technician?

The role of a pharmacy technician goes far beyond helping process prescription requests and taking care of packaging and labeling. Their work makes an enormous difference in the efficiency and safety of pharmacy operations.

How much does a pharmacy tech make?

As a result, pharm techs receive a solid compensation, with a national median annual salary of $33,950 in 2019 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

How long does a pharmacy technician license last?

Your certification will last two years. Even if you don't work in a state that requires you to get a license, you'll likely want to attain your national certification.

Do pharmacy technicians have to worry about job security?

population continues to age, the demand for prescription medications will only increase, and there will be a continuing need for professionals who are able to ensure that they are filled safely, efficiently, and in keeping with all regulations.

Pharmacy Technician School Curriculum

In our online Pharmacy Technician Training Program, you'll learn the skills required to pursue a career in this field. Your courses include:

Pharmacy Technician Training Tuition

Choose from one of our payment options below and get started on your Pharmacy Technician Career Diploma today.

What is a pharmacy technician?

Pharmacy technicians manage the supply of medicines and devices in a pharmacy and assist pharmacists with advisory services. As a qualified technician you could be involved in the following areas: providing safe and effective pharmacy services. supply medicines and devices to patients, whether on prescription or over the counter.

Do pharmacy technicians need to pass the EPA?

It is a requirement that apprentice pharmacy technician trainees must pass the EPA to be eligible to register with the GPhC. The funding route for pharmacy technical education in Wales and Scotland is a devolved matter and is subject to local arrangements.

What are the standards for pharmacy?

The standards for pharmacy professionals are relevant to all pharmacy students and trainees while they are on their journey towards registration and practice. The standards explain the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that will be expected of students and trainees if they apply to join the register .

How long is the Pharmacy Technician exam?

Once you graduate from your program, it’s time to begin studying and preparing to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam. The two-hour, 90-question multiple-choice exam covers four primary focus areas:

What is the role of a pharmacy technician?

They play a critical role in the daily operations of a pharmacy as they assist customers with insurance issues, handle medications and prepare orders for pickup.

How long is the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam?

Once you graduate from your program, it’s time to begin studying and preparing to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam. The two-hour, 90-question multiple-choice exam covers four primary focus areas: Medications. Federal requirements.

How to become a pharmacy technician?

Although paths in this field may vary, here is one possible path to becoming a certified pharmacy technician: 1. Attain a high school diploma or the equivalent (e.g., GED ). Successful pharmacy technicians typically have strong backgrounds in mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physiology.

What percentage of pharmacy technicians have a high school degree?

According to O*NET (2020)—a partner of the US government’s American Job Center—60 percent of working pharmacy technicians have a high school education as their highest completed degree, and 14 percent held postsecondary certificates. That said, it may be advisable to pursue post-secondary education in this field.

How much do pharmacy technicians make?

The BLS adds that in 2019, there were 422,300 pharmacy technicians across the country making an average annual salary of $33,950.

How many states require a pharmacy tech license?

As mentioned above, the rules surrounding the certification, registration, or licensure of pharmacy techs vary by state. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)—one of the two main national certification bodies—reports that 45 states currently regulate people in this profession, and 25 states require PTCB certification specifically. Regional rules can be retrieved by contacting the specific Board of Pharmacy, a list of which has been provided by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).

How many hours do you need to take the PTCE?

Candidates who either have at least 1,200 hours of supervised pharmacy experience or have completed a pharmacy technician education program within the past five years are eligible to sit for this exam. The 100-question exam tests similar areas as the PTCE.

What is a PTCB?

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) offers its certification exam to candidates who have completed a PTCB-recognized education/training program or have equivalent work experience. Read on to discover how to become a pharmacy technician, as well as what to know about professional certification and program accreditation.

What is a pharmacy technician?

A pharmacy technician assists a pharmacist with the preparation of prescription medications for customers. He or she may receive written prescription requests or may process requests doctors' offices that have been sent electronically or phoned in. Depending on state laws, a pharmacy technician may compound or mix medications ...

What education do pharmacy technicians need?

Education: Pharmacy technicians typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Many pharmacy technicians receive only on-the-job training, although many employers prefer to hire applicants who have attended a formal training program.

Do pharmacy technicians need to be trained?

Many pharmacy technicians receive only on-the-job training, although many employers prefer to hire applicants who have attended a formal training program. Training: Much of the training takes place while performing the job, and each employer may have different subject matter and training procedures.

How long does pharmacy training last?

On-the-job training may last from three months to a year. Vocational school: While not required, individuals can complete a certificate or associate degree program covering topics such as math used in pharmacies, ways of dispensing medication, pharmacy law, record keeping, and other relevant topics.

What is the clinical experience of a pharmacy technician?

Clinical experience: Pharmacy technicians can gain clinical experience as part of a vocational program, where they get hands-on training. Regulation: Most states regulate pharmacy technicians in some way, which may include an exam, formal training or education, fees, a criminal background check, and continuing education.

Can a pharmacy technician mix prescriptions?

Depending on state laws, a pharmacy technician may compound or mix medications and get refill authorizations from doctors.

Ultimate Medical Academy offers the best pharmacy technician training program

Amanda is a content writer and journalist with extensive experience in the health, fitness, lifestyle, and nutrition niches.

Final Verdict

Our research indicates that Ultimate Medical Academy offers the best overall program for aspiring pharmacy technicians. In just 18 months, students can earn a health sciences associate’s degree and prepare to sit for a national certifying exam for pharmacy techs.

How to Choose the Best Pharmacy Technician Training Program

Choosing the right pharmacy technician training program depends on a number of factors unique to each prospective student, with a primary factor being budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

It can take anywhere from a few months up to two years to become a pharmacy technician. It may take longer than two years for students who enroll in an associate degree program but then get off track.

Methodology

When researching the best pharmacy technician training programs, institutional accreditation was a primary factor among others. All of the pharmacy tech training courses in this review are accredited by at least one accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or partnered with a recognized professional association.

How long does it take to get a PTCB certification?

You need to have a high school diploma or equivalent, or be acquiring one within 60 days. (In 2020, you will need pharmacy tech training.)

What is PTCB certification?

PTCB certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board helps people gain a credential to get started or advance as a pharmacy technician. As of 2019, this certification only requires passing an exam on top of meeting eligibility requirements.

What is a PTCB?

PTCB is one option for getting certified as a pharmacy technician. You also have the choice of a different pharmacy tech certification, which is Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) through the National Healthcareer Association. To achieve this certification, you need a high school degree or equivalent and to complete a pharmacy technician ...

What is a pharmacy technician II?

A pharmacy technician II is a medical professional who has completed the state pharmacy technician training requirements. This can include an accredited pharmacy technician training program, completion of the PTCB, or Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, exam and experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

What is a pharmacy technician III?

A pharmacy technician III is a medical professional who has completed all the pharmacy technician I and II requirements and advances to the higher levels of study. A pharmacy technician III is typically the highest level of certification in the career path and requires more experience and training.

Pharmacy technician II vs. III

Pharmacy technician II and III are very similar career pathways, with a few credentials, duties and experience requirements separating each specialization, for example:

Job duties

While pharmacy technician II and pharmacy technician III may perform similar duties, some key differences in their everyday responsibilities highlight the differences in education and skill level. These differences include:

Salary for pharmacy technicians

The average national salary for a pharmacy technician is about $30,247 per year. However, pharmacy technicians with a higher education level or additional credentials may negotiate a higher salary. Some pharmacy technician positions may require more advanced knowledge or training, which can also affect their salary.

Job outlook for pharmacy technicians

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technician jobs number around 422,000 in the United States and the agency expects around 4% growth over the next decade. That puts pharmacy technician jobs at about the national average for job growth.