Introduction
Are you interested in starting a career as a pharmacy technician? This field is projected to grow by 7% in the next decade, offering job stability and opportunities for career advancement. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide to becoming a pharmacy technician, including education and certification requirements, job duties and responsibilities, and tips for finding and preparing for job opportunities.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Your Career as a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians typically need a high school diploma and some postsecondary education, such as a certificate or associate’s degree in pharmacy technology. Some states also require pharmacy technicians to become certified. Certification requirements vary by state, but may include passing an exam and completing continuing education courses.
To become certified, you can take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). The exam tests knowledge and skills in areas such as medication safety, pharmacy operations, and pharmacology. You can prepare for the exam through online courses, study guides, and practice exams offered by organizations such as PTCB and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Once you have obtained your certification, you can start looking for job opportunities. Pharmacy technicians work in a variety of settings, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, and mail-order and online pharmacies. You can search for job openings on job boards such as Indeed and Glassdoor, or directly on the websites of pharmacy chains and healthcare systems.
To increase your chances of getting hired, you can gain experience through internships, externships, or volunteer work at local pharmacies or healthcare organizations. Additionally, you can network with pharmacy professionals through professional associations such as the National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
Pharmacy Technician: What You Need to Know to Start Your Journey
Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in the healthcare system, assisting pharmacists in dispensing medications and ensuring patient safety. Their job duties may include:
- Counting and measuring medications
- Labeling prescriptions
- Communicating with healthcare providers and insurance companies
- Processing and managing medication orders and inventory
- Assisting patients with questions and concerns about their medications
Pharmacy technicians may work in a variety of settings, including:
- Retail pharmacies: This is the most common setting for pharmacy technicians, where they work alongside pharmacists in chain and independent pharmacies.
- Hospitals: Pharmacy technicians in hospitals may work in inpatient or outpatient settings, preparing medications for patients and assisting pharmacists in managing medication therapy.
- Mail-order and online pharmacies: Pharmacy technicians in these settings may work remotely, processing and filling medication orders.
Career advancement opportunities for pharmacy technicians may include becoming a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT), which may lead to higher pay and greater job responsibilities. Some pharmacy technicians may also pursue additional education and training to become pharmacists or other healthcare professionals.
Breaking into the Pharmacy Technician Field: Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks to help you break into the pharmacy technician field:
- Gain experience: You can gain experience through internships, externships, or volunteer work at local pharmacies or healthcare organizations.
- Network: Join professional associations such as NPTA and ASHP to connect with pharmacy professionals and stay up-to-date on industry news and trends.
- Prepare for interviews: Do your research on the pharmacy or healthcare organization you are applying to, and be ready to answer questions about your education, experience, and interest in the pharmacy technician field.
- Exhibit key skills and traits: Employers look for pharmacy technicians who are detail-oriented, organized, and able to communicate effectively with patients and healthcare providers.
You can find pharmacy technician job openings through online job boards such as Indeed and Glassdoor, as well as directly on the websites of pharmacy chains and healthcare systems. Additionally, some staffing agencies specialize in placing pharmacy technicians in job opportunities.
Interested in Becoming a Pharmacy Tech? Here’s What You Need to Do
Before embarking on a career as a pharmacy technician, it’s important to do your research and determine the best path for you. There are several paths to becoming a pharmacy technician, including:
- On-the-job training: Some employers offer on-the-job training for pharmacy technicians, which can be a good option for those who do not want to pursue postsecondary education.
- Certificate programs: Certificate programs in pharmacy technology can typically be completed in less than a year and provide training in medical terminology, medication preparation and dispensing, and pharmacy law and ethics.
- Associate’s degree programs: Associate’s degree programs in pharmacy technology typically take two years to complete and offer more extensive training in pharmacy practice and patient care.
In addition to education, some states require pharmacy technicians to become certified. Certification requirements vary by state, but typically require passing an exam and completing continuing education courses.
It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each educational and certification option to determine the best fit for your career goals and lifestyle. Consider factors such as cost, time commitment, and job opportunities in your area.
The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Pharmacy Technician
To summarize, becoming a pharmacy technician involves completing education and certification requirements, gaining experience through internships or volunteer work, and preparing for job interviews. Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in the healthcare system, assisting pharmacists in dispensing medications and ensuring patient safety. With job stability and opportunities for career advancement, the pharmacy technician field can be a rewarding career choice for those interested in healthcare.
For more resources on becoming a pharmacy technician, consult organizations such as PTCB, NHA, NPTA, and ASHP. These organizations offer information on certification requirements, job opportunities, and career advancement options.
From High School Graduate to Pharmacy Technician: How to Make it Happen
If you are starting out with only a high school diploma, there are still options for starting a career as a pharmacy technician. On-the-job training and certificate programs can provide training and experience in the pharmacy technician field.
Certificate programs typically take less than a year to complete and offer training in areas such as medication safety, pharmacy operations, and pharmacology. Some certificate programs also offer hands-on experience through internships or externships.
Becoming certified can also increase your job opportunities and earning potential as a pharmacy technician. Certification requirements vary by state, but typically involve passing an exam and completing continuing education courses.
To find job opportunities, you can search online job boards and the websites of pharmacy chains and healthcare systems. Additionally, you can network with pharmacy professionals through professional associations such as NPTA and ASHP.
The Dos and Don’ts of Becoming a Pharmacy Technician: A Guide for Beginners
Do:
- Research educational and certification requirements for pharmacy technicians in your state
- Gain experience through internships or volunteer work at local pharmacies or healthcare organizations
- Prepare for certification exams through online courses, study guides, and practice exams
- Network with pharmacy professionals through professional associations such as NPTA and ASHP
Don’t:
- Assume that on-the-job training is sufficient for becoming a pharmacy technician without additional education or certification
- Skip researching potential employers and job opportunities
- Underestimate the importance of soft skills, such as communication and organizational skills
Conclusion
Becoming a pharmacy technician can be a rewarding career choice for those interested in healthcare. With job stability and opportunities for career advancement, pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in the healthcare system, ensuring patient safety and assisting pharmacists in dispensing medications. By completing education and certification requirements, gaining experience through internships or volunteer work, and preparing for job interviews, you can start your journey to becoming a pharmacy technician today.
If you have any further questions or comments, please reach out to the professional associations and resources mentioned in this article.
