Pharmacy technicians typically work as assistants to licensed pharmacists, though they can also work to assist doctors in ensuring that proper medication is prescribed to patients. Some pharmacy technicians may be employed by insurance companies to ensure that proper payment is received for medication. Anyone who wants to pursue a career as a pharmacy technician is required to undergo pharmacy technician training to be eligible for certification and employment.
Pharmacy Technician Schools
Those who are looking for an educational institution to undergo pharmacy technician training from can look into technical colleges or vocational colleges, as they typically offer such courses. Hospitals and local community colleges may also offer training. Others train under the employers but it is better to undergo training before securing employment, as those with proper training are prioritized by most employers. If you want a complete listing of schools that offer such courses, you can search online. Some schools even offer online courses for those who don’t have time to attend formal classes.
What to Expect from a Pharmacy Technician Course
Most courses that offer pharmacy technician training prepare the student for the certification exams or the pharmacy technical exam. It is not a requirement to have a bachelor’s degree to undergo training but a high school diploma is one the minimum requirements in most educational institutions. Different states may have different requirements for training, though most schools that offer these courses are required to abide by the minimum requirements for their curriculum. Continuing education may also be required in some states but the expenses are typically shouldered by the employer.
Pharmacy Technician Exam
There are generally two kinds of exams that one can take to be eligible for certification, though only one is required. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam is given out to those who have finished the minimum number of hours required for pharmacy technician training. The exam is conducted by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Another exam that one can take to be eligible for certification is the exam for certification of pharmacy technician. Your school will typically recommend which exam you should take, though both organizations issue certification. Once you pass the exam, you will be given certification. To keep your certification, continuing education and training is required, depending on the requirements of your state. While it is not a requirement to get certification, those who are certified have access to higher-paying jobs. Pharmacy technician training, however, is required by most employers.
Pharmacy Tech Salary
The average salary for pharmacy technicians can significantly vary per state and country. In the U.S., the average salary is $32,277 annually. This also depends on the status of employment and the nature of the job. Most employers pay hourly rates, though some rates are fixed. Pharmacy technicians who are duly certified by the board are generally paid more, as they have passed the exams to prove their eligibility as pharmacy technicians, which is why it is highly recommended to get proper pharmacy technician training and certification.
Becoming a pharmacy tech can be a very fulfilling career path, especially since the workload is not that difficult and the pay is considerably higher than other assistant-level professions. If you want to pursue this kind of career path, then it would be best to take a look at your pharmacy technician training options at the soonest possible time.