The career of a pharmacy technician holds a lot of promise - with the healthcare industry exploding, an aging population and growing reliance on prescribed medications. Pharmacy Technician Program teaches you the concepts, procedures and calculations needed to assume your new role in a pharmacy setting.
Certification & Your Pharmacy Technician Career
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
You want to make the most of your pharmacy technician caree. Your pharmacy technician online course prepares you to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam, but you don't know if you should take the extra step. What exactly is certification? And how will it help your career?
Certification is defined as "the process by which a non-governmental association or agency grants recognition to an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications specified by that association or agency." It is a designation that is earned through preparation and formal testing. Certification is valid for two years. During this time, you must complete 20 hours of continuing education to maintain your certification.
As a certified pharmacy technician, you will be prepared to work with licensed pharmacists and provide even greater patient care and service. Also, you will most likely find that there are greater job opportunities available to you because you are nationally certified. This is because pharmacists trust the PTCB certification and know that if you have earned it, you have a solid educational background as well as understanding of the pharmacy technician career.
The good news is that the pharmaceutical industry needs pharmacy technicians - Employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to increase by 32 percent from 2006 to 2016, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. And today, more employers are requiring certification. You will find that many pharmacy technician job postings require candidates who are either already certified or are currently enrolled in a pharmacy technician program.
Once you pass the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination, you can use the designation "CPhT" after your name. A certificate and wallet card will be sent to you six to eight weeks after you take the examination. You earn national certification that is recognized and valid nationwide. Regulations to work in a pharmacy as a pharmacy technician vary from state to state, so you should check your particular state to find out what rules apply to your pharmacy technician career.
With increasing competition in the job market, you should take the extra step to stand out in your pharmacy technician career. Apply the knowledge you learn in your pharmacy technician online course to pass the certification exam. Not only will you add valuable credentials to your resume, but you will open the door to opportunities nationwide.
Labels: certified pharmacy technician, licensed pharmacists, Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, pharmacy technician online course
Read More >>Certification & Your Pharmacy Technician Career
Some Facts About a Pharmacy Technician Career
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
You'e considering starting a pharmacy technician career - congratulations, it's a solid career choice! Pharmacy technicians are needed nationwide to count and measure medication, manage inventories and complete pharmaceutical dosage forms alongside licensed pharmacists. It is an industry that is expected to grow at a fast rate over the next decade - providing opportunity and stability for you! Here's some helpful information about how to become a pharmacy technician:
What can I do with a pharmacy technician certificate? Enrolling in a pharmacy technician certificate program will provide you with the necessary foundation to assist licensed pharmacists in a pharmacy setting. You will be prepared to provide medication and other health care products to patients. Your duties will vary, but some daily tasks will include:
- Verifying prescription information
- Retrieving, counting, pouring, weighing, measuring and mixing medication
- Selecting containers and preparing labels
- Preparing insurance claim forms
- Maintaining patient records
- Working the cash register and interacting with patient
Once you complete your pharmacy technician online course, you will be prepared to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification exam. This will enable you to become a certified pharmacy technician and add specialized credentials to your resume. It can also create more career opportunities for you, such as allowing you to assume more responsibilities and eventually even taking on a supervisory role.
How much do pharmacy technicians make? The amount of money that you can make as a pharmacy technician depends on your geographical location and amount of experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in May 2006 the highest 10 percent of pharmacy technicians earned more than $17.65 per hour; the middle 50 percent earned an hourly rate between $10.10 and $14.92. Certification and evening/weekend work may increase your amount of earnings.
Where do pharmacy technicians work? As a pharmacy technician, you will work in a comfortable pharmacy setting in a hospital, community pharmacy, outpatient clinic, nursing home or pharmaceutical organization. You will work the same hours that pharmacist work , which may include evening, night, weekend and holiday hours - there may also be part-time opportunities available.
What is the career outlook? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment is expected to increase much faster than average through 2016, and job opportunities are expected to be good. As the population ages, there will be an increased need for prescriptions for the middle-aged and elderly - meaning opportunity for qualified pharmacy technicians across the U.S.
Labels: licensed pharmacists, pharmacy technician career, pharmacy technician certificate, Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
Read More >>Some Facts About a Pharmacy Technician Career
