There are a number of pharmacy technician programs in North Dakota, but it is noticeable that they are few and far between. In addition, they offered through distance education or online schools. That being said, pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician in this state will allow you to gain access to the health care industry, and industry where jobs remain stable no matter what and where there are always increases in the number of jobs available.
Overview
Prospective pharmacy technicians based in North Dakota need to be aware form the beginning that the educational and employment opportunities for them in this state are limited at best. However, in the past pharmacy technicians were trained on the job, rather than having to attend formal education programs. This still holds true today, and, despite changing expectations, you should still be able to seek employment in this state while studying through an online or distance education program. As a way to get involved in the medical industry in North Dakota, this is likely to be one of your best options. And, although there are not many pharmacy technician schools in North Dakota, salary expectations in this state are extremely good, indicating that the profession is highly valued.
Pharmacy Technician Training In North Dakota
There are no formal educational requirements for becoming a pharmacy technician in North Dakota, and in the past it was common for pharmacy techs to simply be trained on the job. However, expectations have changed over the years, and although there are still no standards for the hiring of pharmacy technicians, the following training is usually expected:
- Most employers expect you to have a high school diploma at the very least
- In addition, you will stand a higher chance of finding employment if you have completed one of the non-compulsory formal education programs on offer in this state
- Certification is often also required by specific employers (certification is not compulsory in North Dakota, but you will need to be registered with the North Dakota Board of Pharmacy)
- Depending on the position that you are applying for, you may need to have previous experience in pharmaceuticals
Training, available through vocational schools, community colleges, the military, and hospitals, varies in length from 6 months to 2 years. Obviously the longer courses prepare you more adequately for a job as a pharmacy technician. In addition, longer courses are generally looked on more favorably by potential employers. Coursework through most programs will include the following:
- Pharmaceutical and medical terminology
- Pharmacy record keeping
- Pharmacy calculations
- Pharmacy laws and ethics
- Pharmacy techniques
- Pharmacy terms, names, uses, actions, and doses
Pharmacy technicians are certified through the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT), or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). It is highly recommended that you seek certification as you will stand a higher chance of being employed if you do. Once you are certified you will need to seek recertification once every two years.
Pharmacy Technician Careers In North Dakota
Pharmacy technicians based in North Dakota have an excellent job outlook to look forward to. In this state it is projected that there will be a 31% increase in the number of pharmacy technician jobs that are available in the next few years. At the moment there are 670 pharmacy technicians employed in this state, a number expected to grow quickly.
In North Dakota, the city with the highest percentage of jobs relative to its population is Grand Forks, while the city with lowest percentage of jobs relative to its population is Bismarck.
There are a number of tasks that you will be permitted to perform as a pharmacy technician in North Dakota. Firstly, you will be allowed to receive and fill prescription orders. This is a basic pharmacy technician task that is performed by most pharmacy technicians located in most employment settings in this particular discipline. Attention to detail will be extremely valuable in this line of work as you will be required to ensure that pills are counted accurately when you administer medication to patients, and that the medication containers are correctly labeled with all of the information that the patient will need to take the drug. In addition, you will be in a position where you will need to actively match patients to the correct medications when they come to you with enquiries about their health and well being. Last but not least, there are a number of administrative roles that you will need to perform, such as keeping stock and inventory of medications.
List Of Pharmacy Technician Programs
Below is a list of schools offering pharmacy technicians programs in North Dakota. As you can see, there are not very many to choose from, at least in comparison to several other states. In addition, there are no brick and mortar schools available in North Dakota for pharmacy technicians. If you intend to work as a pharmacy technician in North Dakota, you will have to study through correspondence schools or online. Although the schools mentioned here offer excellent programs in this line of work, potential employers are often more likely to hire a candidate with hands-on experience.
Online Pharmacy Technician Programs In North Dakota
Career Step
Pharmacy Technician – Certificate
Keiser University eCampus Online
Associate of Arts in Health Services Administration
Correspondence Pharmacy Technician Programs In North Dakota
Penn Foster Career School
Pharmacy Technician
Ashworth College
Pharmacy Technology
When selecting a pharmacy technician program it is very important that the school is accredited. If it is not you may struggle to find employment based on that qualification alone. Although pharmacy technicians are sometimes trained on the job and formal education is not a strict requirement, it is still advised that you attend a formal program as this will greatly improve your resume. Consider at least three schools when making your decision as this will increase your chances of being accepted. If you feel that you need guidance while studying, you may wish to consider programs offered in other states through face-to-face classroom-based tuition.
Salary
One notable aspect about a pharmacy technician career in North Dakota is that the opportunities are limited in comparison to other states. Not only are there few schools available through which you can train, but North Dakota in general only has five cities in which you are likely to find employment as a pharmacy technician:
- In Bismarck you can earn $41, 747 a year
- In Minot you can earn $37, 342 a year
- In Fargo you can earn $34, 652 a year
- In Valley City you can earn $38, 505 a year
- In Grand Forks you can earn $37, 902 a year
Apart from the actual city that you elect to work in, there is also the question of which employer you work for and what your level of qualification is. These are just some of the factors affecting how much you can be paid as a pharmacy technician in North Dakota. However, considering the salary potential that the state holds, it still remains one of your best options.
As a prospective pharmacy technician based in North Dakota you may, at this point, feel somewhat discouraged now that you are aware of the limited opportunities for pursuing this career in this state. It is important to remember that you need not limit your search for pharmacy technician programs to the state of North Dakota. Often these programs are accepted across states, so it may be possible to complete a program in a neighboring state and still be able to work in North Dakota. The online pharmacy technician programs in North Dakota that are on offer will suit students who need to work in their own time and at their own pace and who are able to motivate themselves.