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Pharmacy Technician Schools and Training Programs
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Are you looking for a career in the healthcare industry? Would you rather work regular hours in a comfortable environment where you don’t have to rush from one location to another? Do you hope to start working sooner rather than later? If so, you may want to look into a career as a pharmacy technician.
Pharmacy Technician Careers
A pharmacy technician assists a pharmacist in whatever needs to be done in the office. Often, these duties include measuring medicine, preparing medication for patients, labeling bottles, and stocking shelves. Technicians are prohibited from altering any medication doses if a resident pharmacist isn’t there to oversee them.
Pharmacy technicians can work at pharmacies in hospitals, clinics, grocery stores, or other settings. The atmosphere is generally clean and friendly, and the hours are normal.
Working as a pharmacy technician is a significant responsibility: You will be handling some potent medication, and preparing medicine for sick people. This job takes the utmost attention to detail, because a mistake could affect a patient’s health. Attention to detail and accuracy are essential traits in a pharmacy technician.
Training Requirements and Education for Pharmacy Technicians
There is no formal training requirement for pharmacy technicians, but employers tend to favor candidates with formal training and certification. Most community colleges or technical schools offer two-year pharmacy technician associate degrees or one-year certification programs.
Most pharmacy technician schools require that you take classes in medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical techniques and record-keeping and pharmacy law and ethics. In addition most pharmacy technician schools offer internships which will help you gain important hands-on experience. After finishing your studies you can expect to earn a diploma, certificate or associates degree, which depends on the program.
While on the job training is possible receiving formal training is a highly recommended way to begin a pharmacy technician career. By receiving formal training as a pharmacy aide you will be gaining experience and knowledge, two qualities that hiring pharmacies value highly and which will also give you an advantage over other prospective candidates that haven’t attended pharmacy technician school.
Registration
Most states require pharmacy technicians to register with the state board of pharmacy. Eligibility standards vary from state to state, but a high school diploma or its equivalent is typically required, as well as an application fee.
Certification
Certification is not required by most states to work as a pharmacy technician, but employers favor candidates who are certified. Those who pass the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination, administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, receive the title of Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
To maintain certification, technicians must be recertified every 2 years by taking 20 hours of continuing education. Continuing education hours can be earned from several different sources, including colleges, pharmacy associations, and pharmacy technician training programs. Up to 10 hours of continuing education also can be earned on the job under the direct supervision and instruction of a pharmacist.
Employment and Advancement Opportunities for Pharmacy Technicians
The average annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $29,330, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment is expected to grow 31 percent between 2008 and 2018, much faster than average. An aging population in need of prescription medications and scientific advances leading to new drugs are major factors in this trend.
Additional Information for Individuals Pursuing Pharmacy Technician Degrees Found on Health-Care-Careers.org
Pharmacy Technician Job Description
Degrees in Natural Health and Holistic Medicine
Additional Resources for Pharmacy Technician Majors
National Pharmacy Technician Association
Bureau of Labor Statistics Data on Pharmacy Technicians
Campus and Online Pharmaceutical Schools
- Laguna Hills
- Pharmacy Technician Program
- Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
- Vista
- Diploma: Pharmacy Technician
- Anaheim
- Los Angeles
- Ontario
- Pharmacy Technician
American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California.
- Pharmacy Technology
- AS in Pharmacy Technology
- Pharmacy Technician
Santa Barbara Business College
- Santa Maria
- Pharmacy Technology
SBBCollege is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. For information on graduation rates, median debt of graduates who completed these programs and other important information, visit http://www.sbbcollege.edu/consumerinformation/disclosures.php. SBBCollege offers financial aid to those who qualify.
- Pharmacy Technician
- Modesto
- Redding
- Stockton
- Pharmacy Technician
For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.it-colleges.edu/disclosure
- Oxnard
- AS - Pharmacy Technician
You can prepare for a new career with help from Charter College.
- Scranton
- Pharmacy Technician
- Pharmacist's Assistant
- Norcross
- Pharmacy Technology
- Electrocardiograph Technician
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