A Glimpse into Pharmacy Technician Education
Certification and Continuing Education Requirements for this Career
Even during tough economic times, many health careers continue to grow. This is largely attributed to the baby boomer generation. Baby boomers are entering the retirement phase of their lives and cause a demand in additional health care services.
One career within the health industry with a large increase in demand for employees is that of pharmacy technician. These technicians help licensed pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients.
The pharmacy technician is one of the top ten health care careers with, an expected growth rate between now and 2016 to be well above average when compared with other careers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics, job growth is anticipated to increase by 32 percent during this time period (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009).
Duties for pharmacy technicians vary in responsibilities, depending on specific state rules and regulations. These technicians are the one people give their written prescriptions to when visiting a pharmacy. Technician duties include verifying all information on a prescription is complete and accurate when received.
Pharmacy technicians prepare prescriptions by retrieving, counting, pouring, weighing, measuring, and sometimes mixing medication. They prepare the prescription labels, select an appropriate prescription container and affix the prescription and auxiliary labels to the container.
Once a prescription is filled, technicians must have the prescription checked by a pharmacist before it is given to the patient. Technicians establish and maintain patient profiles, prepare insurance claim forms, and complete inventories of prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Paying for Pharmacy Technician School
Students in certified pharmacy technician schools are eligible to receive financial aid from federal sources and other sources of free money to pay for their education. Additional alternative funding is available through unsecured Sallie Mae loans or bank loans.
Entry Level Education for Pharmacy Technicians
Certified pharmacy technician education programs require classroom and laboratory work in a variety of areas, including medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy record keeping, pharmaceutical techniques, and pharmacy law and ethics. Technicians also are required to learn medication names, actions, uses, and doses.
Pharmacy technician programs are offered through a variety of education resources. Students can enroll in vocational or technical schools, community or junior colleges, trade schools, or online pharmacy technician schools. Distance learning programs have many advantages for students who have full or part time jobs, along with other commitments in life.
Most education programs include internships or externships, in which students gain hands-on experience in actual pharmacies. Also, many states require that students must complete an internship or externship as part of the entry level certification process. After completion, students receive a diploma, certificate, or an associate’s degree based on the program.
All states require pharmacy technicians to be certified and examination information is available from schools or by contacting PCTB. Pharmacy technician programs provide students with the necessary information required to pass the National Certification Exam offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PCTB).
To be eligible for the exam, program graduates must not have any felony convictions of any kind within 5 years of applying and no drug or pharmacy related felony convictions at any point.
Continuing Education for Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy technicians must re-certify every 2 years. Recertification requires 20 hours of continuing education within the 2-year certification period. At least 1 hour must be in pharmacy law. Continuing education hours can be earned from several sources including colleges, pharmacy associations, and pharmacy technician training programs. Up to 10 hours of continuing education can be earned on the job under the direct supervision and instruction of a pharmacist.
Making Connections as a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians typically work the same hours as pharmacists. This includes evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. This is especially true in pharmacies which are open 24 hours a day, such as hospitals and some retail pharmacies.
Because of the rapid growth of this career field graduates from pharmacy technician programs will have little difficulty finding employment, especially in well populated or metropolitan areas. Entry into this career field provides additional opportunities to become a pharmacist with additional education.
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