How to Become a Pharmacy Technician?
Pharmacy technicians are important members of the healthcare team, and they are in high demand. If you are interested in a career in healthcare, consider becoming a pharmacy technician. In this article, we will go over the ins and outs of becoming a pharmacy technician.
Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of pharmacists. They ensure that their patients receive the right medication. They play an important role in dispensing medication, which requires precision and attention to detail.
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FAQs
Where can I find Pharmacy technician classes?
There are two options for you to become a certified pharm technician. You can take an online or in-person session. Then, take the class at a vocational school or earn an associate degree. This depends on your budget and your plans for your career in the future.
Dreambound makes it easier to find a pharmacy technician class near your location. You can even filter the class by zip code!
How long is the pharmacy technician program?
The time it takes to become a pharmacy technician can vary depending on the educational path you choose.Certification programs for pharmacy technicians take between 7 weeks to a year. So, if you want to become a pharmacy technician fast, enrolling in a vocational program will be the best option for you.
You also have the option to take an associates degree program to become a pharmacy technician. This type of program will take longer and is approximately about 2 years to complete.
What will you learn in the program?
There are lots of topics and concepts that you will learn during the program. You will learn how to be keen in dealing with patients' medicines and prescriptions. Some of the topics you will discuss during the training are as follows:
- Pharmacy Law
- Drug Classifications
- Community Pharmacy Practice
- Institutional Pharmacy Practice
- Introduction to Health Professions
- Pharmaceutical Math
- Compounding Sterile Preparations
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy ethics
- Anatomy
- Healthcare systems
- Physiology
- Medical terminology
The things you learn in the course are important for helping to save lives and keep people safe when they take medication. By gaining knowledge and guidance, you'll be able to ensure that medications are correctly and effectively used.
What is the salary range for a Pharmacy Technician?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for pharmacy technicians was $40,300 as of May 2023. On average, pharmacy technicians in the United States earn a base salary of $19.37 per hour.
Where do Pharmacy Technicians work?
The career of a Pharmacy Technician offers diverse work environments. Let's see if any of these fit your preference!
Retail Pharmacies: The friendly faces at local drugstores, handling admin tasks, answering queries, and providing medications. It's busy but rewarding due to its direct impact on community health.
Hospital Pharmacies: A high-energy setting dealing with ER and long-term patients, preparing a variety of medications and handling syringes and IV solutions.
Long-term Care Facilities/Nursing Homes: Assisting with billing, prescriptions, and clerical tasks. Ensuring accurate medications for residents, either directly or through nurses.
Mail-Order/Online Pharmacies: Embracing automation, managing machines that fill prescriptions, and ensuring their maintenance.
Pharmaceutical Companies: Contributing to research and production, with opportunities in marketing and specialization.
Specialty/Compounding Pharmacies: Creating tailored medication dosages, handling hazardous drugs, and training new technicians in safe practices.
Food and Beverage Stores: Working in grocery store pharmacies, balancing customer service and pharmaceutical duties.
Education: Teaching pharmacy technician programs with hands-on training and classroom lectures, requiring a higher degree and experience.
Military: Serving military personnel and their families in hospitals and clinics, often involving relocation and unique benefits.
Pharmacy Technicians can explore varied experiences, challenges, and rewards, leading to personal and professional growth. Your impact as a CPhT will be significant wherever you take your skills.
Job Prospects and Salaries
The demand for pharmacy technicians is growing due to the increasing number of older adults and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases. BLS expects an average of 44,900 job openings per year to be available for pharmacy technicians, indicating a 6 percent growth in the job outlook in this field.
What can I do after becoming a Pharmacy Technician?
After becoming a certified pharmacy technician, there are several career paths available to you. You can choose to specialize in a particular area or take other courses and certifications to advance your career.
Here are a few options you can choose from:
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Pharmacist: A healthcare professional who is responsible for dispensing medications, and providing drug information to patients.
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Lead Pharmacy Technician: They continue to do the same duties as pharmacy technicians while taking on leadership roles, mentoring their coworkers, and ensuring patients receive high-quality care.
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Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT): Performs advanced knowledge and skill as a specialized pharmacy technician and ensures medication safety.
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Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT-Adv): You will perform more complex tasks compounding medications, preparing sterile products, managing inventory, and ordering medications. You are also expected to take on managerial roles such as training and educating other pharmacy technicians and students.
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Technician Product Verification Certificate: You will have a deeper knowledge of patient safety and be keen on avoiding dispensing medication errors.
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Hazardous Drug Management Certificate: You will gain expertise in handling, storing, administering, and disposing of hazardous drugs.
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Billing and Reimbursement Certificate: This certification will provide you with expertise in healthcare billing and reimbursement.
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Controlled Substances Diversion Prevention Certificate: This certification will equip you to detect and prevent the illegal distribution or misuse of prescription medication.
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Immunization Certificate: This certification qualifies you to administer immunizations and vaccines.
Conclusion
As one of the frontline people in the healthcare industry, being a pharmacy technician is one of the best options right now. The job doesn't need too much physical work or lifting, but it helps patients a lot when it comes to getting the right medication for them.
So if you are the type of person who is very detail-oriented and loves interacting with people, this career might be for you. With the right education and training, you can embark on a fulfilling and rewarding career path that makes a real difference in people's lives. Don't hesitate to take the first step and connect with Dreambound, your one-stop shop for vocational training!
If you're exploring options in this field in various locations, Dreambound's extensive guides are a great resource. We've got detailed insights for numerous cities. check out some additional guides below:
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Pharmacy Technician classes near me in Ogden
Want to learn on your own time? These guides list flexible online classes:
Winlynd Caballero is a member of Dreambound's Sales team. She helps in handling the company's finullcial transactions, generating reports, and school sales. Beyond her responsibilities in the realm of numbers and business, Winlynd finds herself deeply immersed in a world of art and music.
