Pharmacy Technician News

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.

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How to Become a Pharmacy Technician

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

The last time you picked up a prescription, you may have notice the individual that
retrieved your prescription or processed your insurance - that was the pharmacy technician. While the pharmacist is busy filling prescriptions, the pharmacy technician provides necessary assistance throughout the pharmacy - from verifying prescription information to preparing prescription containers.

It is a rewarding and exciting career that is needed nationwide. As a growing and aging population requires more medical care, there will be an increased need for prescriptions and pharmacy personnel - meaning opportunity for you! If you've wanted to start a pharmacy technician career, now's the time to get the training you need. Here's the steps you need to take:

1) Enroll in an accredited career-training school - You need to get a proper educational foundation. Take the first step and enroll in a pharmacy technician course. No time to travel to a classroom? Need to keep your current job? Taking a pharmacy technician online course is the perfect way to prepare for your new career, with the flexibility to focus on your life. Study any time, anywhere with a course that is convenient and self paced.

2) Become certified - Make sure that the pharmacy technician course you choose provides the knowledge you need to prepare for the certification exam. By taking the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification exam, you will provide you pharmacy technician career with increased opportunities.

3) Start your pharmacy technician career - Once you finish your pharmacy technician online course and become certified, you will be prepared to join a pharmacy team anywhere in the nation. Choose to work alongside a licensed pharmacist in a hospital, community pharmacy, outpatient clinic, nursing home or pharmaceutical organization.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician? The pharmacy technician course includes 120 hours of study - the amount of time you can spend each week will determine how soon you can start your pharmacy technician career. If you study 10 hours each week, you will finish your course within three months. You will then need to prepare for and sit for the certification exam.

In a short period of time, you will be prepared to start your pharmacy technician career. You will be prepared to help licensed pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients. Your day will include counting and measuring medication, managing inventories, and completing pharmaceutical dosage forms - all on a part or full-time basis. Does a pharmacy technician career sound good to you? Get started today with a pharmacy technician online course - study at home with a course that fits your life.

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