where can i take a pharmacy technician course

by Gerard Veum 4 min read

These are some options throughout the state:

  • North Seattle College, Seattle. This Pharmacy Technician Certification program takes about nine months to complete. ...
  • Renton Technical College, Renton. This program also includes classroom work as well as real-world training in pharmacies. ...
  • Carrington College, Spokane. In Spokane, students can enroll in the Carrington programs. ...
  • Penn Foster Career School. ...

Full Answer

What classes do I need to become a pharmacy technician?

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

What schools offer Pharmacy Tech?

  • KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (KNUST) – KUMASI
  • UNIVERSITY OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (UDS) – TAMALE
  • UNIVERSITY OF GHANA – LEGON, ACCRA
  • UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH AND ALLIED SCIENCES (UHAS) – HO
  • CENTRAL UNIVERSITY – MIOTSO
  • ENTRANCE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HEALTH – SPINTEX ROAD, ACCRA

What degree do you need to become a pharmacy technician?

To be certified you must meet the following requirements:

  • Hold a high school diploma or have earned your GED
  • Make full disclosure of all criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions
  • Be compliant with all PTCB certification policies
  • Earn a passing score on the certification exam

How do you become a pharmacy technician?

  • Many colleges and websites offer online pharmacy technician programs. ...
  • You'll learn the names of drugs and their uses, how to dispense medications, how to determine correct dosages, and other information you need to perform the job.
  • Some programs teach customer service skills, record-keeping skills, and ethics.

How do I become a pharmacy technician in Ireland?

10 Steps On How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in IrelandDo You Have What It Takes? ... Talk to Employed Pharmacy Technicians. ... Find a Program. ... Take Part in an Externship. ... Network in the Industry. ... Learn from Successful Mentors. ... To Specialize or Not to Specialize. ... Stand Out to Employers.More items...•

Can you self study for pharmacy technician?

Many people can, and absolutely love the flexibility that self-study or an online pharmacy tech program offers. So, if you're simply looking to pass the pharmacy tech national exam and can go through everything on your own and study it, then you could probably pass the PTCB or ExCPT, yes.

What are the qualifications to be a pharmacy technician?

High school diploma or equivalentPharmacy technician / Entry level education

Which pharmacy pharmacy technician is best?

Hospital Pharmacy Hospital work is another avenue to grow in skill and expertise in your career. Hospital pharmacy allows a tech to practice advanced skills such as creating compound medications, IV fluids, and other mixtures for patients.

What kind of math does a pharmacy tech use?

There are many math concepts that are used in this career role such as addition and subtraction, fractions, determining percentages, weights, and even measurements. It is vital that you are skilled in math computation and have a strong background in math to ensure patients are receiving the correct dosage of medicine.

Is pharmacy tech exam hard?

Whether the PTCB exam is difficult for you will depend on a variety of factors, including how good you are at test-taking, how much you've studied, and which questions you are given. The average pass rate for the PTCE from 1995-2020 is 72%. In the year 2020, 70% of test-takers passed the test.

What is a pharmacy technician salary?

$36,740 per yearAccording to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a pharmacy technician's median salary in 2021 was $36,740 per year or $17.66 per hour. The job outlook is bright in the profession, with a projection of 4% growth between 2019-2029.

What are the four different levels of pharmacy technicians?

It should be noted that, while we refer to them as level I pharmacy technician, level II pharmacy technician, and level III pharmacy technician, these three levels are also sometimes referred to with the numbers after the title (pharmacy technician I, pharmacy technician II, and pharmacy technician III).

What do pharmacy technicians do?

Pharmacy technicians fill prescriptions and check inventory. Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals. They mainly work in retail pharmacies and hospitals.

Is it worth being a pharmacy tech?

A pharmacy technician career is also a stable one with ample employment opportunities and increasing demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for pharmacy technicians is bright with an above-average growth rate.

What is the highest paying pharmacy technician job?

High Paying Pharmacy Technician JobsPharmacist Specialist. Salary range: $55,500-$132,500 per year. ... Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. ... Pharmacy Informatics Specialist. ... Pharmacy Technician Program Director. ... Pharmacist Assistant. ... Senior Pharmacy Technician. ... Hospital Pharmacy Technician. ... Lead Pharmacy Technician.More items...

How stressful is a pharmacy technician job?

Pharmacy technician work can be emotionally stressful as well. Accuracy is vital to the job because incorrectly filled prescriptions, wrong dosages or mislabeled bottles can pose health risks. Customers occasionally get frustrated waiting in lines or for prescriptions, and you have to deal with some anger and rudeness.

Where do pharmacy technicians work?

Pharmacy technicians are employed in both local pharmacies and hospitals. Job opportunities for pharmacy technicians may also be found with online pharmacies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, nursing homes, and insurance companies.

What does a pharmacist do?

Some of their daily job responsibilities may include assisting customers over the phone or in person, handling prescriptions, compounding, preparing medications for dispersal, and performing a variety of other administrative tasks.

Do pharmacy technicians need to be licensed in New Jersey?

However, New Jersey law requires all pharmacy technicians to be registered with the State Board of Pharmacy. Section 13:39-6.6 of the Board of Pharmacy regulations list the requirements. The requirements are not related to education or certification.

Does AIMS guarantee CPHT certification?

PTCB is an independent organization. AIMS does not guarantee certification/registry exam eligibility. Pharmacy technicians in New Jersey are required to register with the State Board of Pharmacy.

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 ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Becoming a Pharmacy Technician

A pharmacy technician is someone who helps pharmacists with distributing medication to customers. Job duties include packaging and labeling prescriptions, collecting medical information from customers or doctors, answering phone calls, assisting customers with questions, and organizing inventory.

Courses in Your Pharmacy Technician School

Attending a Pharmacy Technician School can help you get started on a career as a Pharmacy Technician. This program teaches you how to assist a pharmacist with packing and distribution. This program lasts nine months, and it consists of 300 theory hours, 300 lab hours, and 160 externship hours.

What type of training do pharmacy technicians need?

The type of training that a pharmacy technician receives varies depending on where they are being trained. Some pharmacy technicians choose to get formal education to prepare them for their career. Other technicians only receive on-the-job training.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?

Training programs in a retail pharmacy can take anywhere from six weeks to six months to complete. The computerized tutorials can be completed in only a few weeks, but the other aspects can take longer, depending on how fast the training technician becomes proficient in their duties. In pharmacies that use PTCB training programs, there is also a classroom learning session. The retail chain may only offer these classes a few times per year in a given region. Therefore, the technician may be considered to be “in training” until they have the opportunity to participate in the classroom portion of their training program.

What is the difference between a pharmacy technician and a retail pharmacy?

The biggest difference is the lack of customer presence. Customers are dealt with via email or telephone. Pharmacy technicians must also learn the same legal aspects as in a retail pharmacy.

What is retail pharmacy training?

For a pharmacy technician with no formal education, on-the-job training that they receive through a retail pharmacy must cover all aspects of the job. These training programs are often supported by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

Why is it important to understand the pharmacy technician laws?

It is very important for a pharmacy technician to understand this piece of legislation as it guides them in how to handle personal patient information. Failure to follow these policies can lead to the pharmacy technician and the pharmacy being fined heavily by the government.

What is a pharmacy technician?

Pharmacy technicians have many responsibilities. As a part of the medical profession, they work to ensure and improve the health of their patients. They must be skilled in several different areas and they undergo extensive training to prepare for their duties. The type of training that a pharmacy technician receives varies depending on ...

What is mail order pharmacy?

Mail-order pharmacies that handle a large volume of prescriptions on a daily basis work more like factor ies. There are different departments to handle different job duties.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?

The new technician can expect to be in training for six months or longer. Larger retail pharmacies or mail order pharmacies often offer more formal training to newly hired pharmacy technicians.

What is the exam for pharmacy tech?

In these states there is no standard training program, however, the prospective pharmacy technician must pass a standardized exam called the ExPCT. This test is very difficult to pass without preparation or experience working as a pharmacy technician.

How to become a pharmacy technician without school?

A person in these states can become a pharmacy technician without attending school or participating in a formal training program. The requirement is that they must pass the ExCPT exam. There are many resources available to help an individual prepare for this exam without formal training. There are many websites which offer pharmacy technician educational resources. Some of these websites are free, while others charge a fee for access to this information. There are also preparatory books which are available online or in bookstores. These book sets usually consist of a text book, a lab book, a medical terminology dictionary, and flash cards. Going this route will require the person to be self-motivated to learn the information required for passing the ExCPT exam.

What is the role of a pharmacy technician?

Pharmacy technicians must have working knowledge of pharmacy operations, procedures, HIPAA regulations, and medications. Although there are many resources which offer training for pharmacy technicians, a person can become a pharmacy technician without any training.

What states require a pharmacy technician to be a licensed pharmacist?

In Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Main, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, and West Virginia, pharmacy technicians are required to be registered with the state’s Board of Health, but no specific training or licensing is required. In these states, a person with no prior training or experience can apply for a job as a pharmacy technician. If the company wishes to hire them, then they will have to register with the state. This process usually requires paying an application fee of $25 – $150, submitting to a background check, providing proof of identity, and proof of high school or equivalent education. In most cases, the person can begin working after the registration documentation has been submitted, pending final approval. Training for pharmacy technicians in these states generally follows the same course as in states where registration is not required.

What skills do you need to be a pharmacy tech?

These managers will be looking for employees with skills such as attention to detail, good communication skills, basic math skills, and willingness to learn. Training a new pharmacy technician with no prior experience is costly ...

What happens after observation period for pharmacy technician?

After the observation period, the new pharmacy technician will begin performing duties under the close supervision of the trainer. As the technician becomes more proficient at performing his or her duties, they will be allowed to work with less supervision. On-the-job training for a pharmacy technician with no prior training or experience usually ...

How many hours of pharmacy technician training?

Complete a board-approved pharmacy technician training program that provides a minimum of 240 hours of training, or; Complete a pharmacy technician training program provided by a military branch, or; Graduate from a school of pharmacy accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), or;

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?

Complete an employer-based on-the-job training program within 180 days of beginning employment in a pharmacy, or; Complete a board-approved pharmacy technician training program conducted by an accredited institution or college, or; Become nationally certified through the PTCB or another approved certifying agency.

How to become a pharmacy technician in New Mexico?

Register as a non-certified technician with the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy, complete an on-the-job training program directed by a pharmacist-in-charge, become nationally certified through the PTCB or another approved certifying agency, and apply for certified technician designation with the State Board.

How many hours of training is required to become a pharmacy technician in Louisiana?

Register with the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy as a pharmacy technician candidate, complete both 600 hours of on-the-job training and a board-approved training program, and become nationally certified through the PTCB or another approved certifying agency.

Is there a pharmacy technician license in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania. There are currently no licensure requirements for pharmacy technicians in Pennsylvania. However, if a proposed bill becomes law, then Pennsylvania technicians would be required to complete a training program approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy and register with the state board.

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