What are the requirements to be a pharmacy technician in 2024?
What are the requirements to be a pharmacy technician? If you are enthusiastic about healthcare, but dread spending more than a decade in school, applying for a pharmacy technician position might be the best solution. Pharmacy technicians assist and prepare prescription medications for patient care in pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics under the supervision of licensed pharmacists. But what are the requirements to begin this profession? Let’s break it down step by step.
Education and High School Diploma
The first thing you will need is a high school diploma or the equivalent of it (a GED for instance). This is the minimum education requirement that most pharmacy technician training programs ask for. Math, chemistry, and biology courses in high school can prove helpful; therefore, if you are still in school, emphasis on these subjects can put you in good stead.
Programa de formación de técnicos en farmacia
While states like California has the provisions for what is commonly referred as OJT or On Job Training, in cases of many employers, the candidates aspiring to work in a job have to complete an approved course or program. Community colleges, technical schools, and even the Internet provide such courses. They are usually of duration of between 6 months to 2 years depending upon certificate course or associate degree course. Inspirationally, previous students have taken up topics similar to;
Pharmacology (dealing and making sense of different ways regulatory drugs work on the body)
- Pharmacy Law and Ethics
- Drug Calculations
- Medical terms
- Lab Works
Certification
There are many states that require certification to be attained and this is not optional. There are even nations where it is not obligatory to obtain a license to practice but it is beneficial. Permission to practice law varies widely across states; Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) provides eyeball of the most sought for certification which is the American Pharmacotherapy Certification Board. There is also a test from the National Health career Association (NHA) that helps patients the except examination. Both exams test knowledge and understanding of pharmacy regard medication safety and regulation.
To be eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), they mostly require the following: a. Are the prerequisites for this position. b. Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate c. Complete a pharmacy technician training course approved by the board (most likely) d. Undergo a criminal background investigation. Licensing and Registration 4. Most states require pharmacy technicians to maintain a state license or registration. State license requirements vary and it is prudent to verify them in your area. Usually relevant, you will be required to sit for a board examination and accomplish CPDs as a safety measure to avoid substance abuse. Training on work 5. So after you have acquired the education and certification you can expect to receive some further real life training from your employer. This will be on the job training and you will be trained on pharmacy systems, how to fill prescriptions, how to interact with patients etc. It’s an opportunity to put into practice that which you have been taught in theory. Skills You’ll Need 6 Being a Pharmacy Technician does not solely involve having formal qualifications. There are those personal qualities and competencies which can make you an exceptional Pharmacy Technician. Some of them are as follow: Attention to detail: This is very important due to the sensitive nature of drugs and dosages. Customer Service: Most of the times, you will be talking to clients, who could be patients with queries or complaints. A strong Background in Mathematics: In this role, you will need to do calculations regarding drugs and dosage, as well as standard prescriptions. Teamwork: This position is very collaborative. You will mainly work with pharmacists and also other health professionals.
Time Management: Working in a pharmacy can be rather daunting since it typically gets quite overwhelming hence necessitating good multitasking skills, you being one has been a defininte advantage.
Continuing Education
Once you’re certified, your skills will still expand. Known as licensure renewal, reasonably most pharmacy technicians are required to fulfill continuing education (CE) requirements. These courses keep you updated on new medications, regulations, and safety procedures.
Also…
It is a wonderful decision to go for a career as a pharmacy technician if you are looking to help in the health sector but do not have the time to train for so many years. If you have the right kind of education, certification as well as the personality, then you are most likely suited for a fulfilling career as a pharmacy technician. Therefore, if this career seems to be what you would wish to pursue, begin looking for appropriate skill programs in your vicinity.
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