Pharmacy technicians are employed in nursing homes, hospitals, medical stores, health and personal care stores, retail or mail-order pharmacies, and assisted living facilities. Pharmacy techs need to be dedicated, detail orientated, able to multi-task, possess excellent interpersonal skills and be team players. They may be employed on a full-time basis or part-time, and may have to work evenings, public holidays and weekends, depending on where they are employed.

Requirements For Becoming A Certified Pharmacy Technician Online

Certification is not compulsory but it is recommended. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board is a national certification program. It enables a pharmacy technician to work more efficaciously with pharmacists to extend safe and effective service and patient care. Although the certification is not compulsory, it has been proven that CPhTs earn a higher income and are offered more promotion opportunities. Employers usually prefer to employ pharmacy technicians who have been certified as they are then assured that the CPhT has met the predetermined qualifications by a passing the PTCE.

In order to become a certified pharmacy technician you will have to be in possession of a qualification from an accredited institution, and may not have been convicted of a felony or have any pharmacy or drug conviction. You may apply to sit for and must pass one of two exams; you can either take the National Certification Exam administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians exam. Once you have passed one of these exams you will receive and may use the designation Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

In order to maintain this certification, which must be renewed every two years, you will need to incur 20 hours of continuing education. Ten of these hours may be accorded to hours incurred at work under the direct supervision of a qualified, licensed pharmacist.

Types Of Pharmacy Technician Programs And Degrees

There are various pharmacy technician programs and degrees which are applicable to the career Pharmacy technician:

• Associate Degree of Science in Pharmacy Technology (ASPT) – This is a two-year associate’s degree in pharmacy technology. Students will be taught how to be successful pharmacy technicians via a variety of courses.
• Pharmacy Technician Diploma (PTD) – This is a formal pharmacy technology diploma program which is offered in a classroom scenario.
• Pharmacy Technician Certificate (CPhT) – This is a certificate which is given to students who have sat for and passed the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians.

Pros And Cons Of Online Pharmacy Technician Schools

• Studying online is very popular as it allows you to study at your own pace and to still work whilst you are obtaining your degree. Being able to do pharmacy technician online courses greatly helps those who have financial problems, as they may otherwise not had the opportunity to improve their job outlook.
• Pharmacy technician certification online allows one to move at your own pace, which means that if you get a subject quickly you can move on with the next portion of the pharmacy technician training and, by the same token, if you find a certain section rather difficult you can take your time over it and make sure that you understand it fully before moving on.
• Reputable online pharmacy technician schools should offer exactly the same quality learning that traditional pharmacy technician schools offer and have the same qualified instructors. Most of these online pharmacy technician schools offer what is also known as “distance learning” which means that they have instructors who are available to assist their students and answer questions by phone and e-mail.
• Something that could be a drawback when doing a pharmacy technician online course is the lack of an internship or externship as they are also known. Internships are very important as they allow the student to get hands-on experience in a work scenario under the direction and supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
• Generally, online pharmacy technician schools offer programs which are divided into modules with an exam at the end of each module. The next module is only made available to you once you have passed the exam.

Choosing Your Pharmacy Technician Online School

Doing your studying online is a great idea as it frees you up to continue working and lets you study at your own pace, but there are various things to consider before choosing where to do your pharmacy technician certification online.

• Firstly, do your research and find out what the requirements in your state are regarding qualifications and certification.
• Only consider schools which are established and have national accreditation.
• Make sure that the pharmacy technician online course that you are interested in offers the right courses.
• Make sure that you know exactly what it will take for you to finish the course successfully and commit to it.
• Be positive that you have the self-discipline to attend the online classes and take the tests when required to do so.

Accessing Financial Help For Online Pharmacy Technician Schools

Even if you are saving money by doing your pharmacy technician certification online, it may still be stretching your budget. Fortunately there are federal government grants available. Some of the online schools offer financial aid or will assist you to apply for financial aid, but you can apply yourself as well.

You will need to get all your paperwork together and complete a FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid in order to apply for a grant from the federal government and the school. Make sure that you check for early-priority deadlines, and do your research so that you are sure that you are applying to the most appropriate online pharmacy technician schools. Send in more than one application as soon as possible, as this will give you more of a chance of getting in.

Top Pharmacy Technician Online Schools

There are many online pharmacy technician schools springing up all over the internet, and with so many online courses to choose from it becomes very difficult to choose the best school. Unfortunately, as with any kind of online business, there are those fly-by-night institutions which are only interested in ripping you off for the tuition and when the time comes for you to receive your degree they are nowhere to be found.

With that in mind, here follows a list of reputable online pharmacy technician schools:

Ashworth College

• Ashworth College offers a Pharmacy Technician Career Diploma which is a comprehensive pharmacy technician online course.
• The college offers its students the opportunity to pay monthly installments for tuition, which includes books and materials.
• The program consists of 20 modules which are comprehensive yet easy to follow.
• The course includes side effects, indications, dosage calculations, and administration methods of the major classes of pharmaceuticals.

Penn Foster Career School

• Penn Foster Career School is one of the top online pharmacy technician schools which is internationally renowned.
• It offers an online Pharmacy Technician Certificate course.
• This pharmacy technician online course offers all the necessary practical training and includes all learning aids and textbooks.

The curriculum includes how to:

• Receive prescriptions from doctors and hospitals
• Verify insurance and prescription information
• Prepare prescriptions for patients
• Assist the pharmacist with everyday duties
• Penn Foster Career School offers various financial aid options

CDI College

• CDI offers two courses, a Pharmacy Technician – Retail diploma program and a Pharmacy Technician program.
• CDI teaches students all the practical knowledge and skills required.

The curriculum includes:

• Anatomy, microbiology, physiology, and pharmacology.
• Communications and customer service skills
• Compounding, computer processing, dispensing, mathematics, drug/body interactions, and drug delivery systems among other subjects.
• CDI places students in workplaces to gain on-the-job experience.

U.S. Career Institute

• The U.S. Career Institute offers a four-month pharmacy technician online program.
• The U.S. Career Institute is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council.
• The curriculum includes drug types, dosages and your role in the healthcare industry.

Ultimate Medical Academy

• The Ultimate Medical Academy offers a Pharmacy Technician Diploma program which prepares career-oriented individuals for a career as a pharmacy technician.
• This online program is flexible and is designed to prepare students for both the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board national certification exams.

The curriculum includes:

• Dispensing operations and prescription preparation.
• Stock-taking and inventory prescription.
• Counting or pouring medications into dispensing containers.
• Billing and cash-register handling.
• How to maintain patient medication records.

Other online pharmacy technician schools and schools which include courses for pharmacy technician certification online amongst the many other courses and programs that they offer include Kaplan University, South University, the Ultimate Medical Academy, Allied Schools, and Virginia College.

Resources For Pharmacy Technician Students

1. American Association of Pharmacy Technicians: They provide continuing education programs which pharmacy technicians can access in order to keep up with the changes in the industry and keep their skills updated. Their career centre page also affords employers the space to post jobs and techs to post their resumes.
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics-Pharmacy Technicians: This site offers all the updated information regarding the career of the pharmacy technician.
3. National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA): A good resource for available pharmacy technician jobs, upcoming conventions, information on continuing education courses, and current industry news.
4. Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians: A good resource for study aides, training materials, and practice exams.
5. Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB): This board administers the NCCA accredited national certification program for pharmacy technicians. A good resource for anything and everything to do with the certification exam.

Hopefully this article has given you food for thought and answered all the questions that you had about online pharmacy technician schools and has helped you to make the correct decision for your future.

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History Of Pharmacy Technician Training And Its Contemporary Developments

Formal pharmacy technician training was not always as developed as it is today. This is clearly outlined in, “The White Paper on Pharmacy Technicians 2002: Needed Changes can No Longer Wait,” as endorsed by the 12 members of the Council on Credentialing in Pharmacy. According to the sources credited in this authoritative paper, the history of formal training for technicians unfolded thus:

Timeline Of Events Illustrating The Development Of Formal Pharmacy Technician Training

1930s – Pharmacy technicians were trained, “on-the-job.” This hands-on training prepared them sufficiently to meet the demands on the industry at the time. However, the need for a certified pharmacy technician training program soon emerged, largely due to the following reasons:

• With lawful procedures regarding the dispensing of medication and record-keeping policies becoming more prominent, a need for formal pharmacy tech training became evident.

• With insurance requirements becoming more stringent, it became more necessary for administrative tasks in the pharmaceutical industry to become more formalized and precise.

• Certain employers began to profess that a major benefit of formal training was greater job satisfaction and a lower staff turnover.

• Formal training seemed to provide technicians with a sense of pride in their work and a sense of duty towards their patients.

1940s – The Armed forces introduces a formal training program for all its pharmacy technicians serving military troops.

1958 – This pharmacy technician training program is further developed by the military to provide for the medical demands and needs of the time.

Late 1960 – The Department of Health, Education and Welfare recommends and implements a training program in all junior colleges and educational institutions.

This program aims to develop the skills of the, “pharmacist aide,” towards a more comprehensive kind of learning for all aspiring workers in this industry.

The first hospital-based pharmacy technician training program is developed and implemented.

1970s – Training programs continue to provide technicians with the education they require to operate at their best levels.

However, these programs are only implemented in the hospital and clinical environments, with no prominent need being voiced by other industries like retail.

1980s – The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) develops formal training guidelines for technicians in all hospital environments, with a set of minimum requirements and ways of evaluating skills and determining the competency levels of established technicians in the field.

Many colleges and institutions begin to use these guidelines to establish associate degree and certificate programs to assist technicians in meeting the basic pre-requisites for these positions.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)develops this training manual by dividing it into sections which are applicable to any environment or industry in which technicians will be employed.

These sections include:

• Practical and legal procedures as they apply to the dispensing of medication and the filling of prescriptions.
• Sterile-product compounding
• Guidelines on interacting with patients
• Reimbursement systems

1990 – Till Present – There are around 250 schools and institutions across 42 states offering various pharmacy technician training programs including certificates, diplomas and associate degrees.

The Pharmacy Technician Training Course Syllabus

The structure of different curriculums differ from school to school although it is safe to say that the subject matter is roughly the same. Preparatory courses will also contain practical components, where students will be exposed to different environments where they may work after the completion of their studies. This provides them with valuable insight into what will be expected of them at an entry-level and how they can aspire to further themselves within their careers as technicians.

Below, some of this subject matter will be outlined and discussed to provide prospective technicians with a broad perspective on what pharmacy technician training will entail:

Pharmacology

• The term refers to the study of what is known as drug action i.e. the effect that drugs or pharmaceutical substances have on the body and vice versa.
• The study can be divided into two main sections: pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
• Pharmacodynamics examines how the body’s various systems are affected by drugs and forms of medication.
• Pharmacokinetics focuses on how bodily systems and anatomical processes affect drugs or medication which are ingested by humans.
• In this aspect of study, students will learn how the body’s systems operate in sustaining life.
• These systems include but are not limited to the respiratory system, the digestive system, the gastrointestinal system and the musculoskeletal system.
• Students will also be exposed to the methods according to which drugs are classified.

Chemistry

According to the Department of Chemistry at Michigan Technological University: “Pharmaceutical companies need employees with strong skills in modern chemical techniques as well as a good understanding of biomedical issues such as drug action, drug design and drug development.”

• Going hand-in-hand with pharmacology, this subject focuses on drug manufacturing and classification.
• Students will learn the different compositions of certain medications.
• They will also understand from a technical point-of-view, the structure of these drugs on a molecular level and the properties of its components.
• Students will also become familiar with chemical reactions and how the components of drugs interact with each other to produce certain medical effects.
• Key areas of study include drug design and development, drug transportation and delivery as well as the mechanics involved in drug action.

Anatomy

• This is the study of the structure of the body on both a gross and microscopic level.
• Students will learn the fundamental ways in which the body operates.
• Students will also learn how the body reacts to aspects like disease, viruses and outside stimulate.
• In familiarizing students with the terminology used for different organs and body parts, they will begin to build a solid foundation of knowledge on how the body functions as a whole.
• They will also learn how treatment for various common ailments work and how they should be administered in order to be effective.
• This subject is taken in conjunction with pharmacology, where students will learn how the body reacts to different forms of medication.

Mathematics As It Pertains To Dosage Calculations

• Technicians require basic mathematical skills in order to function effectively.
• Students will therefore revise their understanding of arithmetic and build upon their school-level knowledge by learning special counting techniques employed for the counting and packaging of drugs.
• Different measurement systems will also be introduced to students.
• They will be educated on how to make accurate dosage calculations in the interests of the wellbeing and safety of their future patients.
• They will also learn how to measure natural ingredients used in creams and medicines by employing methods of concentration and dilution.

Compounding Of Sterile Medication

• Some patients have special needs in terms of the administering of medication and students will be shown how these needs can be taken into account.
• Course content will contain a list of common ingredients which patients may be allergic to as well as alternatives to these ingredients.
• Students will then be shown how to mix creams and other forms of medication according to the patient’s medical needs.

This knowledge will help future technicians to help the following groups of people:

• Infants requiring smaller doses of medication.
• Children who cannot take pills and require that their medication be compounded to form a liquid medicine.
• Patients with physical disabilities who cannot take certain forms of medication.
• People who are hyper-sensitive to certain allergens like colorants.
• Patients requiring drugs which have been previously discontinued.

Pharmacy Record-keeping

• The dispensary of medication needs to be closely monitored in order to track patients’ health levels and to prevent negative side effects occurring when different types of medication are being used simultaneously.
• Record-keeping is largely computerized.
• Students will therefore be familiarized with having to use computerized systems to take inventory, record the pharmaceutical history of all patients and place electronic orders for medication.

Pharmacy Law

• Technicians need to be well-aware of the laws which govern the administering of medication and the filling of prescriptions according to the directions as set out by practitioners .
• Laws will vary from state to state, but there are some laws which apply to all states.
• Ethics as they pertain to this field of work.
• One such law governing the manufacturing process of prescription drugs in the United States is the federal Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1987.

Drug Preparation

• Students will become familiar with how certain drugs are prepared, manufactured in bulk, stored, packaged and distributed.
• They will be made aware of the safety measures to be taken in ensuring that the medication abides by state laws and are not exposed to harmful chemicals which can corrupt their ingredients.
• This course will also introduce students to the practice of compounding sterile medication.
• Students will be given an introduction to medicines manufacturing, which many of them may specialize in at a later stage.

Drug Reactions

• Students will be introduced to the genetic and non-genetic reasons for why certain patients react to certain drugs as they do.
• They will be given knowledge about drug side effects, how to counteract them and how to use alternatives in order to avoid causing harm to a patient.
• This course of study will also indicate how drug manufacturers use this knowledge to ensure that the medicines they manufacture are safe for the masses.

Externship

• This term refers to a kind of in-service training where students will work for periods ranging from 2 days to about 2 weeks, in a pharmaceutical environment.
• They will experience day-to-day interaction with pharmacists, patients and customers in a retail or hospital setting.
• This gives them a chance to put their theoretical knowledge to work and to practice some of the skills they will have been equipped with.
• Some pharmacy technician schools also prepare students for their careers by providing them with advice on how to formulate successful résumés and how to conduct oneself during professional interviews.

The Benefits Of Investing In A Formal Pharmacy Technician Training Program

In some states, certification and training is not always compulsory although it seems to be an industry standard that those who are formally trained and certified appear more favorable and employable.

The benefits of studying and receiving pharmacy technician training are far-reaching, and include:

• Enhanced confidence levels for technicians starting their first pharmacy technician jobs because they have been familiarized with subject matter and have a strong foundation of knowledge upon which to build their practical experience.
• More advancement opportunities in terms of being promoted to supervisory levels within the industry in which they work.
• Opportunities to branch off into other fields of pharmaceutical work due to their exposure to advance terminology and procedures .
• Opportunities to specialize in certain areas of the industry and become chemotherapy technicians or nuclear pharmacy technicians for example.
• Opportunities to earn higher salaries at an entry-level than non-certified technicians.

As with any job in the medical field, the process of learning is ongoing, as the following statement clearly suggests: “- Any national
standards for education and training of pharmacy technicians will
not eliminate the need for additional, site-specific training that focuses on
local policies and procedures.” (Sanford ME, Faccinetti NJ, Broadhead
RS. Observational study of job satisfaction in hospital pharmacy technicians.Am J Hosp Pharm. 1984; 41:2599-606.)

On-the-job training will continue well into the technician’s first few years of employment and in this time they will come to understand and know in an intricate way, how the pharmaceutical industry operates.

An encouraging prospect is provided by the United States Bureau of Labor statistics: “Employment of pharmacy technicians and aides is expected to increase by 25 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.” For aspiring technicians, this means that even within a fragile economic climate such as the present, they can still fulfill their pivotal roles in society and become vital parts of one of the most lucrative and expanding industries in the world.

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The certified pharmacy technician is often-times more up to date on the latest pharmaceuticals than the pharmacist is, and they perform a vital service to patients, pharmacists, hospitals and doctors via the wide range of tasks that they perform.

Duties Of The Pharmacy Technician

A pharmacy technician’s primary function is to receive and fill prescriptions from physicians, nurses, hospitals or directly from the patient. They work under the supervision of a pharmacist.

The duties carried out by pharmacy technicians can include:

• Filling and dispensing of prescriptions for patients.
• Compounding of the prescription as per a physician’s directions, which includes the counting, measuring, weighing, and pouring of medications and tablets.
• Creating prescription labels for the medication being dispensed.
• Administrative duties such as keeping the database updated, and handling insurance enquiries.
• The pharmacy technician also takes an inventory of over-the-counter medications and places orders when necessary.
• Performing cash-register transactions in a retail pharmacy and taking phone-calls also forms part of a pharmacy technician’s tasks.

In order to become a pharmacy technician one needs to do a course at an established pharmacy technician school. There are many online and campus-based schools which provide a variety of courses, and it is your choice as to which school you go to, whether you decide to study on-campus or do a part-time pharmacy technician online course while you continue to work at your normal job.

Pharmacy Technician Workplace

A pharmacy technician can work in various health-related workplaces and spend most of their day on their feet. The environment in which they work is sterilised, clean and tidy.

They practise in workplaces such as:

• Assisted-living Facilities
• Health and Personal-care Stores
• Hospitals
• Medical Stores
• Nursing Homes
• Retail and Mail-order Pharmacies

Pharmacy technicians do not always work a 9-5 job. They can work part-time or full-time. Depending on where they work they could either do day or night-shift and may also be required to work on weekends.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees

Pharmacy technician degrees are associate-level degrees. Many pharmacy technician schools also offer diplomas and certificate courses. Your choice of course will depend on the level of education which you intend to follow, and this can impact greatly on your future, where you get employed and what your earning will be, so it is important that you do some research and have all the details at your fingertips before making such an important decision.

Pharmacy Technician Qualifications

Pharmacy Technician Certificate

• The only requirement to enter this program is a high school diploma.
• Can generally be completed in less than 12 months.
• This course provides the basic fundamental skill required by a pharmacy technician.
• Aimed at pharmacy technicians who work in retail or clinical environments.
• This course also prepares graduates to take the Pharmacy Technician Test.

Pharmacy Technician Diploma

• A previous degree in the medical field is required to enter the program.
• The duration of this program is approximately 12 months.
• The aim of the course is to add supplementary, skill-based education to the basic knowledge gained on a previous degree course.
• Although a medical background is not necessary, many individuals who have previously obtained associate degrees in related fields of study pursue a course as a pharmacy technician.
• This program prepares graduates for the Pharmacy Technician Certification exam.

Pharmacy Technician Associate’s Degree

• A previous degree in the medical field is required to enter into this program.
• The program usually takes approximately 24 months to complete.
• The associate degree program provides a more in-depth education than a diploma or certificate program.
• Apart from the focused training in pharmacy practises, the course also provides a wide range of other training in the general medical field.
• This program makes use of clinical externships in a hospital or retail pharmacy setting to provide on-the-job experience. These externships are done under the direct supervision of a manager or pharmacist who will report back to the school, and this will form part of the final grade points.
• The program prepares its graduates to take the Pharmacy Technician Exam.

Pharmacy Technician Certification
It is not compulsory to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification exam in all states, but it certainly does help an individual to gain employment, as it assures the prospective employer that you conform to national standards for pharmacy technician knowledge. In order to find out whether the state in which you intend working requires certification or not you should do some research.
The Pharmacy Technician Exam is given by the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT) and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). The pharmacy technician test given by both organisations is very similar and both are accepted as a benchmark of quality pharmacy technician training and certification of the nationally accepted knowledge necessary to perform the duties of a pharmacy technician.

The PTCB Pharmacy Technician Test

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Pharmacy Technician Certification, known as CPhT, is awarded to pharmacy technicians who meet the strict background and educational requirements as laid out by the PTCB, and have passed the Pharmacy Technician Exam.

Requirements to take the PTCE:

• The Pharmacy technician must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• The Pharmacy technician may not have any felony convictions.
• The Pharmacy technician may not have any pharmacy or drug-related convictions.
• There must be no restriction of registration or licensure, or regulations misconduct.

Re-certification of the CPhT is required every two years and this can be done by gaining twenty hours of continuing education in that time period.

The ICPT Pharmacy Technician Exam

The Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians proffers the CPhT Pharmacy Technician Certification to those who take the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT).

Requirements to take the ExCPT:

• You must be 18 years or older
• You must be in possession of a high school degree or your GED.
• You may not have been convicted of any type of felony.

The CPhT certification must be renewed every 2 years. In order to renew your CPhT certification you need to have completed at least 20 hours of continuing education and this must include a minimum of 1 hour of pharmacy law.

How To Get Your Pharmacy Technician Certification

Getting certified by either the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board is one of the easiest things to do. All you need to do is to contact one of the above certification boards and request to take the Pharmacy Technician Exam. Most states offer the exam, which consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, 4 times per year. There is no limit on how many times you can take the exam in order to pass.

Pharmacy Technician Practice Test:

PTCB offers a set of practice exams which can be taken in order to prepare for the Pharmacy Technician Certification exam. The purpose of a Pharmacy Technician Practice Test is to familiarize yourself with the structure, content and format of the Pharmacy Technician Exam, and can give an indication of whether you are sufficiently prepared for the official PTCE.

The practice exams that are available are:

• The Official PTCB Practice Exam
• The Official PTCB Practice Calculations Exam
• The Official PTCB Practice Medication Usage and Administration Exam

You can purchase a Practice Test from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. These are online pharmacy technician tests which have been developed by subject-experts.

The Official PTCB Practice Test meets the exact same exam blueprint specifications as the Pharmacy Technician Certification exam. An overall scaled score, which includes a subtest scaled score for each of the function areas, will be given to the candidates on completion of the test. The Practice Test covers the three areas of a pharmacy technician’s scope of duties; Assisting the Pharmacist in Serving Patients, Participating in the Administration and Management of Pharmacy Practice, and Maintaining Medication and Inventory Control Systems.

Candidates have sixty minutes in which to complete the exam and review their answers. Those who fail the PTCE may rewrite the examination three times. There needs to be a break of 60 days between the first two retakes, and a period of six months before the third rewrite. After three times the candidate must submit an appeal to the PTCB; the appeals will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Although Pharmacy Technician Certification is not required buy all states, it is in your best interest to take the pharmacy technician test because this will prove to the pharmacist that you are serious about your chosen career and that you comply with the strict national requirements for pharmacy technicians. This will give the pharmacist the assurance that you are able to offer safe and effective patient care and service. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Pharmacy Technician Certification is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

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Education Needs Of A Pharmacy Technician

There are of course many pharmacy technician schools of thought on which kind of education is the best and also the most sustainable in the long run. Developments in technology and computerized systems mean that where the job of the pharmacy technician once focused on aspects like counting and packaging medication, their job has taken on a more specialized nature. They now play prominent roles in industries like medicine manufacturing and medical supply procurement. Thus, according to Linwood F. Tice, D.Sc., Dean, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science (1966): “The pharmacist of tomorrow will function by reason of what he knows, increasing the efficiency and safety of drug therapy and working as a specialist in his own right. It is in this direction that pharmaceutical education must evolve without delay.” Those who are of the same opinion are therefore encouraged to look for practical components in courses and choose educational paths which allow technicians to specialize in certain aspects of the pharmaceutical field.

Choosing the right path of study will have a direct effect on one’s job opportunities in the future. It will also directly affect aspects like one’s starting salary and entry-level position. It is therefore very useful for students to differentiate between their available options. Accredited pharmacy technician schools usually come highly recommended, although it is possible to obtain a certificate from any institution providing a certificate course in this arena. Fortunately for students, there are currently (over) 125 colleges and pharmacy technician schools with accreditation status according to the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

Applying For A Certificate Course

“For a pharmacy technician, certification is an indication of the mastery of a specific core of knowledge.” (American Society of Health-System
Pharmacists. White paper on pharmacy technicians. Am J Health-Syst Pharm.1996; 53:1793-6.)

Below, are a few standardized facts about what certification courses entail for prospective students:

• Can usually be completed in a few months (less than a year on average)
• A high school diploma is usually the only pre-requisite for this study path.
• These courses provide only basic or fundamental education.
• Students will become familiarized with the legislation governing their jobs as future technicians and the administering of medication.
• Courses equip students with the skills to work in retail or clinical environments.
• Sitting a formal certification examination usually marks the end of this course.
• Successful students will be able to fill entry-level positions in either retail or clinical environments.

Obtaining A Diploma As A Pharmacy Technician

After obtaining their certification, many students decide to pursue a formal diploma in the field. These programs usually:

• Require at least one year of further studying.
• Require students to have completed a certificate course and passed the formal exam after completion.
• Nurture the practical component of the job and the actual skills needed to build a successful career.
• Enable students with degrees in other medical fields to specialize as pharmacy technicians and make the transition into this field.
• Diplomas equip students with the necessary skills to work in many different arenas including retail, clinical and hospital, institutions and medical facilities as well as mail order pharmaceutical service companies.
• Students will be prepared to sit the required examination process upon completion of their course.
• Successful students will be able to enter a range of different fields of work in the pharmaceutical industry.

Pursuing An Associate/Bachelor’s Degree In The Field

Students who have the capacity and resources to obtain a degree in this field are encouraged to do so. Although formal certification is not always a pre-requisite for obtaining a job after studying (depending on the state’s laws), it is certainly no secret that those who are certified, find the process of getting a job, easier. Getting a degree means that:

• Students will need to commit at least 24 months or more of their time to studying.
• Students require a high-school diploma as a prerequisite for their degree.
• The degree will provide the strongest possible function of knowledge and skills for future technicians to build their careers upon.
• The theory involved will include advanced medical and pharmaceutical terminology, chemistry, inventory management and human anatomy.
• The practical work involved will include working in a clinic or hospital dispensary in direct contacts with patients.
• Students will be able to apply for pharmacy technician jobs across a broad spectrum of fields spanning the retail field to more advanced fields like the medicine manufacturing field in plants and medical laboratories.
• “Ex-ternship”/ internship programs are usually included to provide students with practical experience.

Where the development of practical skills are concerned, It is important for students to recognize the dual importance of both the learning of theory as well as the centrality of receiving good quality practical pharmacy technician training: “While education (as described above) may involve a training component, both are vital to the learning (or preparation) of the technician.” (Barrow W, Milburn G, eds. A critical dictionary of educational concepts. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Teachers College Press; 1970.)

Obtaining Formal Pharmacy Technician Education Online

Nowadays, web-based institutions provide long-distance education online, where it is accessible and widely available to the masses. These part-time programs allow students to work while they study and to complete their qualification in a longer period of time. These students however, need to bear in mind that studying online requires the following personal attributes along with the desire to learn:

• An advanced sense of personal responsibility and the ability to meet deadlines and complete assignments without relying on direct pressure or encouragement from lecturers and face-to-face tutors.
• Good time management and organisational skills.
• The ability to compromise the full-time, “student life,” and dedicate a great deal of one’s free time to studying.
• Perseverance in working to raise one’s course funds.
• Diligence in meeting deadlines.
• Ability to ask for outside help when it is needed.

Studying online has bridged the gap between those who could not formerly study due to financial constraints or demands on their time due to having children and/or supporting an existing family, and those who could. Although in the past, online instructions struggled to obtain formal accreditation and recognition, today, many enjoy accredited status and provide students with the education they need to further themselves as future technicians.

Taking The Certification Exam

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) as provided by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (est. 1995), is a hallmark in the studying career of many aspiring technicians.

Indeed, statistics show that, “By the end of 2001, more than 100,000 technicians had been certified with this program.” (Ernst FR, Grizzle AJ. Drug-related morbidity and mortality: updating the cost of-illness model. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2001; 41:192-9.) To date, according to the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), this number has reached 400 000.

To assist aspiring technicians who are preparing to take the formal examination, here are a few basic facts provided by the PTCB (www.ptcb.org):

The Exam Format

• 90 multiple-choice questions
• The result of 80 of these questions count towards the final score
• The remaining 10 questions are not considered as part of the final score but are used to assess which students qualify for future versions of the PTCE.
• The exam begins with an un-scored tutorial
• The exam ends with an en exit survey

The Exam Content
The exam is divided into three main content sections, namely:

• Assisting the Pharmacist in Serving Patients (66% of exam)
• Maintaining Medication and Inventory Control Systems (22% of exam)
• Participating in the Administration and Management of Pharmacy Practice (12% of exam)

Exam Scoring

• No penalties are imposed for guessing and no negative marking applies
• Possible sores range from 300 to 900
• The scaled score which constitutes a pass is 650
• Scaled scoring is determined by a method called statistical equating,
• Scaled scoring is used because various PTCEs used annually differ in levels of difficulty and scaled scoring allows students to have an equal chance of passing any one of the PTCEs .
• All scores are kept strictly confidential

Time Limit

• Candidates are given 110 minutes in which to complete the exam
• The starting tutorial takes approximately 5 minutes
• The concluding exit survey takes approximately 5 minutes
• The total examination time limit is therefore 120 minutes (2 hours)

The PTCB provides students with a number of useful resources to aid them in their preparation process. These resources include practice examinations, a formal guidebook and other documentation to assist students with understanding the scoring process.

Deciding Whether This Career Path Is For You

When embarking on this career choice, it is important to take various factors into account. Studies and statistical data provide useful insight to be taken into consideration when making this pivotal decision.

Salary Expectations

Hourly rates and salaries depend greatly on the state in which technicians work as well as the industry. The United States Department of Labor provides an overall indication of the annual salary figures as below, per industry:

Table showing projected salary averages for pharmacy technicians as of May 2007 (industry specific)

Studies (as provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Employment & Wages database) are also indicative of the fact that the five top-paying states are as follows:

• Alaska
• Washington
• California
• Hawaii
• District of Colmbia

Industry Employment Rates

Much can be said about the rate at which employment opportunities are opening up for pharmacy technicians. The main reason for the evident increase in these job opportunities is the subsequent increase in demand, caused by shortages of pharmacists in relation to the need for their expertise and technical abilities. This shortage of pharmacists automatically entails that technicians are having to play more prominent roles in the pharmacy, alongside pharmacists.

Required Personal Traits

One’s personal strengths and abilities will also contribute towards success in this career path. A day in the life of a pharmacy technician at an entry-level may require long and arduous working hours, especially in a 24 hour retail or clinical environment. Technicians should have an attitude of attitude of perseverance and determination to deal with emergency situations. They will also spend most of the day on their feet – requiring stamina and endurance. Apart from being presentable and approachable especially within a retail environment, technicians need all the above characteristics to nurture success in their careers.

Studying At A Pharmacy Technician School To Build A Prosperous Career In The Industry

For many professionals in the industry, becoming a certified pharmacy technician is the first step in a long and rewarding career in this industry. With the need for technicians to perform more primary managerial roles in their respective industries, there are many opportunities available for growth and personal advancement. As many come to understand, their roles as technicians are integral to their respective industries and companies but also to greater society as a whole. Aspiring technicians are encouraged to pursue their education with enthusiasm and use it as a stepping stone towards even greater prospects in this thriving industry.

The post Finding The Right Pharmacy Technician Schools appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

Texas is a large state with a number of employment opportunities in the health care sector for a number of different specialists. The state also offers a long list of traditional, online, and distance learning schools through which you can complete a pharmacy technician program. Pharmacy technician programs in Texas, although many and varied, are not necessarily all ideal for each candidate. It is your responsibility to look into each of the options yourself and determine whether or not they are suitable for you at a personal as well as at a practical level. The school you choose now could affect the rest of your career in the pharmaceutical industry.

Pharmacy Technician Training In Texas

In Texas, as in most other states, there are no formal educational requirements for becoming a pharmacy technician. Historically, the skills required were learned on the job. However, expectations regarding the profession are changing considerably, and these days it is wise to complete a formal training program and seek certification. There are several reasons for this:

• Your resume will be more impressive and it will increase your chances of employment

• It is highly likely that in the near future formal training standards for pharmacy technicians in Texas will be put into place, so studying now will save you time later

• You will have advanced knowledge regarding your job, allowing you to work more effectively than individuals who have not sought formal training

In addition it is worth noting that many employers expect you to have formal education and certification. Although it is not a statewide standard, it is a standard in specific sectors of the pharmaceutical industry. This depends on your employer.
The pharmacy technician programs that are available in Texas vary in length from 6 months to 2 years. The longer the program, the more comprehensive your training is likely to be, and the more likely you are to find employment.
Seeking certification will make a substantial difference in terms of your chances of being employed. Certification can be gained through one of these two agencies:

• The Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT)
• The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)

Pharmacy Technician Careers In Texas

In Texas, the cities with highest percentage of jobs relative to their populations are Amarillo, McAllen and Texarkana, while the cities with lowest percentage of jobs relative to their populations are Longview, Waco and Midland. The cities with the highest absolute number of jobs are Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. This state, like most others, expects to see a growth of 31% in the number of pharmacy technician jobs that will shortly become available. The specific duties that pharmacy technicians in Texas fulfill are as follows:

• Receive and fill prescription orders
• Ensure accurate pill count and labeling
• Match patients to the correct medications
• Keep stock and inventory of medications

In total there are three hundred and twenty-six thousand pharmacy technicians employed in the healthcare industry, of which twenty-seven thousand, eight-hundred and sixty are employed in Texas. This number is likely to continue increasing, not only in Texas, but across the entire country as the role becomes more specialized and valuable. Of the new jobs that we are likely to see, most will be in retail, while the rest are likely to be in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

List Of Pharmacy Technician Programs In Texas

Texas is one of the few states which offer a large number of different schools to choose from. In this state you will also be able to select from between classroom-based education, as well as online and distance education options.

Pharmacy Technician Programs in Texas:

• Kaplan College
• Remington College
• Sanford-Brown College
• Milan Institute
• Allied Health Careers
• Everest College
• Carrington College
• Brown Mackie College

Everest College
Arlington (Mid Cities)
Pharmacy Technician

Carrington College
Phoenix
Pharmacy Technology

Milan Institute
Amarillo
Pharmacy Technician

Allied Health Careers
Austin
Pharmacy Technician

Remington College
North Houston (Greenspoint)
Pharmacy Technician
Dallas (Garland)
Pharmacy Technician
Ft. Worth
Pharmacy Technician
Houston (Westchase)
Pharmacy Technician

Brown Mackie College
San Antonio
Pharmacy Technology (AS)

Online Schools

Keiser University eCampus Online
Associate of Arts in Health Services Administration

Correspondence Schools

Virginia College
Pharmacy Technician

National American University
Pharmacy Technician A.A.S

Ashworth College

When selecting a school, it is extremely important that you ensure that the school is in fact properly accredited. If it is not accredited you may find that potential employers lose interest in your application. In addition, the school should suit your personal needs so that you are happy while studying there.

Salary

As different cities in Texas offer different rates of pay to their pharmacy technicians, it is interesting to note where your pharmacy technician training will get you:

• In Abilene you can earn $35,037 a year
• In Laredo you can earn $34,910 a year
• In Amarillo you can earn $35,741 a year
• In Lewisville you can earn $38,856 a year
• In Arlington you can earn $35,442 a year
• In Longview you can earn $35,776 a year
• In Austin you can earn $38,631 a year
• In Lubbock you can earn $34,784 a year
• In Azle you can earn $35,442 a year
• In Marshall you can earn $33,350 a year
• In Beaumont you can earn $35,324 a year
• In McAllen you can earn $33,918 a year
• In Brazoria you can earn $36,925 a year
• In Mission you can earn $33,918 a year
• In Brownsville you can earn $32,637 a year
• In Odessa you can earn $38,535 a year
• In Bryan you can earn $34,298 a year
• In Plano you can earn $38,856 a year
• In College Station you can earn $34,298 a year
• In Port Arthur you can earn $35,324 a year
• In Coppell you can earn $38,856 a year
• In San Angelo you can earn $33,587 a year
• In Corpus Christi you can earn $33,324 a year
• In San Antonio you can earn $35,363 a year
• In Dallas you can earn $38,856 a year
• In San Benito you can earn $32,637 a year
• In Denison you can earn $32,876 a year
• In San Marcos you can earn $38,631 a year
• In Denton you can earn $38,856 a year
• In Sherman you can earn $32,876 a year
• In Edinburg you can earn $33,918 a year
• In Temple you can earn $34,393 a year
• In El Paso you can earn $33,401 a year
• In Texarkana you can earn $34,491 a year
• In Fort Worth you can earn $35,442 a year
• In Texas City you can earn $36,550 a year
• In Frisco you can earn $38,856 a year
• In The Woodlands you can earn $36,550 a year
• In Galveston you can earn $36,550 a year
• In Tyler you can earn $31,812 a year
• In Harlingen you can earn $32,637 a year
• In Victoria you can earn $34,829 a year
• In Houston you can earn $36,550 a year
• In Waco you can earn $34,962 a year
• In Irving you can earn $38,856 a year
• In Wichita Falls you can earn $33,465 a year
• In Killeen you can earn $34,393 a year

Perhaps you may have noticed that, because there are a large number of educational opportunities as well as a large number of employment opportunities in this state, the salary that you stand a chance of earning in most of its cities is very good. Texas is a large state, and there are a corresponding number of jobs available for individuals who are interested in entering the medical industry by becoming pharmacy technicians. In Texas a large proportion of pharmacy technicians go on to become pharmacists through additional study, a job that comes with even higher rates of pay, as well as higher professional prestige. Pharmacy technicians are becoming more and more skilled as expectations regarding the profession have changed considerably. Consequently, they are also becoming more and more valuable to their employers and many pharmacists describe their pharmacy technicians as being indispensible. The primary motivation why prospective students look into pharmacy technician programs in Texas is that they see it as a way to get their foot in the door of an industry that is safe, and in which they can be guaranteed of employment throughout their lives.

The post Pharmacy Technician Programs In Texas appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

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.

The post Pharmacy Technician Programs In North Dakota appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

There are a large number of pharmacy technician programs in Florida to choose from. In addition, regardless of the city in which you choose to work, the salary that you are eligible to earn in this state is also extremely good. The main motivation for completing training in this discipline is that it will give you access to the health care industry, and industry that is increasing at a faster rate than any other. Job security and a decent remuneration package make this career very attractive indeed.

What Is A Pharmacy Technician?

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with:

• Administrative tasks within the pharmacy, such as answering the phone and taking stock, and
• Medical tasks, such as filling prescriptions

As the role is becoming increasingly more specialized, various states across the country are introducing formal training programs for a job that once required no qualifications at all. Over the years pharmacy technicians have become practically indispensible, and this has led to a gradual movement towards making the job more official. So, although formal training is not yet an actual requirement in Florida, it is recommended that you pursue such training in any case as it will stand you in good stead in the future when training becomes compulsory.

Pharmacy Technician Training In Florida

Formal education is not yet a standard for pharmacy technicians in Florida, but it is quite likely that one day soon it will be. This is because the job description for this career is becoming more and more specialized and this has resulted in a significant shift in expectations. Although there are no certification and training requirements in Florida at this point in time, it is still highly recommended that you take the initiative and complete both as this will make you substantially more marketable within the state of Florida.
The roles that pharmacy technician programs in Florida are designed to prepare you for are:

• Ensuring accurate pill count and labeling
• Matching patients to the correct medications
• Receiving and filling prescription orders
• Keeping stock and inventory of medications

Most employers have their own standards when it comes to hiring pharmacy technicians. They, for example, often expect you to have a high school diploma, a qualification from a formal education program, certification, and experience. Although certification is not compulsory, registration with the Florida Board of Pharmacy is. If you choose to pursue certification, you can do so by contacting either the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT) or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Once certification has been achieved, it must be renewed once every two years and continuing education must also be completed. Gaining certification shows your employer that you take the job seriously and that you are interested in pursuing a career in pharmaceuticals further. It may also increase the amount of money you can earn as a pharmacy technician.

Pharmacy Technician Careers In Florida

As in all other states, different cities in Florida offer more employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians than others. The cities with the highest percentage of jobs relative to their populations are Punta Gorda, Ocala and Deltona, and the cities with the lowest percentage of jobs relative to their populations are Sarasota, Palm Bay and Orlando. The cities in Florida with the highest absolute number of jobs are Tampa, Miami and Orlando. The number of pharmacy technicians currently employed across the country is three hundred and twenty-six thousand. Of this number, twenty thousand and sixty of them are employed in Florida. This number is expected to grow by 31% over the next 10 years. The bottom line is that there are many career opportunities for pharmacy technicians in this state, both now and in the future.

List Of Pharmacy Technician Programs In Florida

Unlike several other states, Florida has a large selection of pharmacy technician schools for you to choose from when taking the first steps in your career. Different schools have different pros and cons, and the suitability of the school depends not only on its reputation, but also on whether or not it is a good fit for you at a personal level. The list of pharmacy technician programs in Florida given below serves as a guide only – it is essential that you do your own research into each option.

Schools In Florida

• Everest Institute
• Everest University
• Heritage Institute
• Southeastern College
• Virginia College
• Concorde Career Institute
• Ultimate Medical Academy
• Lincoln / Lincoln Technical Institute
• Sanford-Brown Institute
• MedVance Institute
• Florida Technical College
• Fortis College
• Anthem College
• Lincoln Technical Institute

Everest University

Pharmacy Technician

Melbourne
Orange Park
Lakeland
South Orlando
Tampa
Largo
Pompano Beach
Jacksonville
North Orlando
Brandon

Everest Institute

Pharmacy Technician

Hialeah
Miami
Kendall

Southeastern College

Associate in Pharmacy Technology

Diploma in Pharmacy Technology

Tampa
Greenacres
Miami Lakes
St. Petersburg

Heritage Institute

Pharmacy Technician

Jacksonville
Ft. Myers

Florida Technical College

Patient Care Technician

Deland
Lakeland

Concorde Career Institute

Pharmacy Technician

Orlando

Lincoln / Lincoln Technical Institute

Pharmacy Technician

Fern Park

Ultimate Medical Academy

Pharmacy Technician

Tampa

Online Schools

• Ultimate Medical Academy OL
• Keiser University eCampus Online

Correspondence Schools

Virginia College

Pharmacy Technology
Pharmacy Technician

Penn Foster Career School

Ashworth College

Salary

There are a number of aspects that will affect the pay you will be eligible to earn as a pharmacy technician in Florida, not least of which is the specific city in which you work:

• In Altamonte Springs you can earn $32,578 a year
• In Miami Beach you can earn $33,745 a year
• In Apopka you can earn $32,578 a year
• In Naples you can earn $34,971 a year
• In Boca Raton you can earn $36,572 a year
• In New Port Richey you can earn $31,798 a year
• In Bradenton you can earn $33,235 a year
• In Ocala you can earn $29,444 a year
• In Brandon you can earn $31,798 a year
• In Orlando you can earn $32,578 a year
• In Brunswick you can earn $32,578 a year
• In Palm Bay you can earn $33,212 a year
• In Cape Coral you can earn $38,184 a year
• In Panama City you can earn $32,928 a year
• In Clearwater you can earn $31,798 a year
• In Pensacola you can earn $32,998 a year
• In Coral Springs you can earn $33,604 a year
• In Plantation you can earn $33,604 a year
• In Daytona Beach you can earn $29,689 a year
• In Pompano Beach you can earn $33,604 a year
• In Fort Lauderdale you can earn $33,604 a year
• In Port St Lucie you can earn $32,607 a year
• In Fort Myers you can earn $38,184 a year
• In Punta Gorda you can earn $31,966 a year
• In Fort Pierce you can earn $32,607 a year
• In Saint Petersburg you can earn $33,212 a year
• In Fort Walton Beach you can earn $33,235 a year
• In Sarasota you can earn $33,235 a year
• In Gainesville you can earn $34,777 a year
• In Spring Hill you can earn $31,798 a year
• In Hollywood you can earn $33,604 a year
• In St Petersburg you can earn $31,798 a year
• In Jacksonville you can earn $33,934 a year
• In Sunrise you can earn $33,604 a year
• In Kissimmee you can earn $32,578 a year
• In Tallahassee you can earn $33,707 a year
• In Lake Mary you can earn $32,578 a year
• In Tampa you can earn $31,798 a year
• In Lakeland you can earn $34,566 a year
• In Titusville you can earn $30,362 a year
• In Largo you can earn $31,798 a year
• In West Palm Beach you can earn $36,572 a year
• In Lutz you can earn $31,798 a year
• In Winter Haven you can earn $34,566 a year
• In Melbourne you can earn $30,362 a year
• In Winter Park you can earn $32,578 a year
• In Miami you can earn $33,745 a year

Florida is a state which provides a large number of educational as well as employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians. This makes it one of the best states in which to pursue this particular career. It is worth noting that individuals who train as pharmacy technicians often go on to become pharmacists through additional education. Although some pharmacy technician programs in Florida are better than others, they are all of fairly good quality. However, it remains paramount that you complete your own research into each of these options.

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Overview

There are a number of pharmacy technician programs in New Jersey to choose from, although it is not the state with the most options on offer. Generally speaking you will have the opportunity to choose between face-to-face classroom situations and online and distance learning options. As a pharmacy technician in New Jersey you will be able to do the following:

• You will be able to receive and fill prescription orders
• You will be responsible for ensuring accurate pill count and labeling
• You will be responsible for matching patients to the correct medications
• You will be responsible for keeping stock and inventory of medications

These tasks will be performed under the supervision of an actual pharmacist.

Pharmacy Technician Training In New Jersey

To be a pharmacy technician in New Jersey you must be 18 or older and be able to speak effectively in English. In the past a high school diploma was required, but “as provided in the statute (N.J.A.C. 13:39–6.6(d)), all persons who were employed as a pharmacy technician as of September 4, 2007 are exempt from this requirement”.
There are several fees involved:

• You will need to pay a $50 application fee
• You will need to pay a $70registration fee

These fees are paid to the N.J. Board of Pharmacy. You will also have to undergo a background check before you can become a pharmacy technician in this state. Although there are no educational training requirements in order to become a pharmacy technician in this state, it is recommended that you enroll in one of the pharmacy technician programs in New Jersey as this will make you more marketable to employers.

Pharmacy Technician Careers In New Jersey

There are currently around 6, 210 pharmacy technicians employed in the state of New Jersey, which is quite a high number given the density of the population. Consequently we can infer that there are many employment opportunities for a pharmacy technician interested in training and working within this state. In addition to the already high numbers of pharmacy technicians employed in this state, there is also a projected growth of 31% for the profession in New Jersey, meaning that future pharmacy technicians will stand an even better chance of finding adequate employment in this state. As states go, this is one with more options for students and individuals looking to pursue a career in this particular line of work and provides several educational opportunities.

List Of Pharmacy Technician Programs In New Jersey

There are a number of different pharmacy technician programs in New Jersey that are available. Some of the more well-known options are listed below:

Schools In New Jersey

Everest Institute
Bensalem
Pharmacy Technician Program
South Plainfield
Pharmacy Technician Program

Kaplan Career Institute
Broomall
Pharmacy Technician Program

Omega Institute
Pennsauken
Pharmacy Technician Program

Harris School
Linwood
Pharmacy Technician Program

Online Schools

Keiser University eCampus Online
Associate of Arts in Health Services Administration

Correspondence Schools

Penn Foster Career School
Pharmacy Technician Program

Ashworth College
Pharmacy Technology Program

As compared to some other states, there are not a lot of options in the state of New Jersey for students who hope to become pharmacy technicians. However it is interesting to note that one can study through online schools and programs or even through distance education options in order to become a pharmacy technician in this state. This certainly broadens the options that students living in New Jersey have when it comes to their pharmacy technician training options. Even if schools are limited, the number of jobs that are available for pharmacy technicians in New Jersey is fairly high, meaning that employment is practically guaranteed once you have qualified.

Salary

According to pharmacytechs.net the average salary for pharmacy technicians who are based in New Jersey is in the region of $29,480 a year. Salaries can differ between cities, however. Cbsalary.com has some different salary numbers to report on a city-by-city basis:

• In Asbury Park you can expect to earn around $37, 804 a year
• In Millville you can expect to earn around $32, 680 a year
• In Atlantic City you can expect to earn around $35, 187 a year
• In Monmouth you can expect to earn around $36, 666 a year
• In Bergen you can expect to earn around $41, 967 a year
• In Monroe Township you can expect to earn around $37, 804 a year
• In Bordentown you can expect to earn around $38, 286 a year
• In Morristown you can expect to earn around $36, 334 a year
• In Bridgeton you can expect to earn around $32, 680 a year
• In Ocean City you can expect to earn around $35, 716 a year
• In Bridgewater you can expect to earn around $37, 804 a year
• In Parsippany you can expect to earn around $36, 334 a year
• In Camden you can expect to earn around $38, 286 a year
• In Passaic you can expect to earn around $41, 967 a year
• In Cape May you can expect to earn around $35, 716 a year
• In Phillipsburg you can expect to earn around $32, 802 a year
• In Cherry Hill you can expect to earn around $38, 286 a year
• In Princeton you can expect to earn around $35, 970 a year
• In East Brunswick you can expect to earn around $37, 804 a year
• In Somerset you can expect to earn around $37, 804 a year
• In Freehold you can expect to earn around $37, 804 a year
• In Toms River you can expect to earn around $37, 804 a year
• In Hackensack you can expect to earn around $41, 967 a year
• In Trenton you can expect to earn around $35, 970 a year
• In Jersey City you can expect to earn around $41, 967 a year
• In Vineland you can expect to earn around $32, 680 a year
• In Marlton you can expect to earn around $38, 286 a year
• In Wall Township you can expect to earn around $36, 666 a year
• In Middlesex you can expect to earn around $37, 804 a year

The cities with the highest salaries, according to citytowninfo.com in New Jersey are Camden, which has 1,210 pharmacy technicians who are paid $27,880 a year, Ocean City, which has 80 pharmacy technicians who are paid $27,840 a year, Newark, which has 2,230 pharmacy technicians who are paid $29,120 a year, Vineland, which has 90 pharmacy technicians who are paid $27,510 a year, Trenton, which has 370 pharmacy technicians who are paid $28,090 a year, Edison, which has 1,790 pharmacy technicians who are paid $28,920 a year, and Atlantic City, which has 190 pharmacy technicians who are paid $28,270. In terms of pay, New Jersey is a fairly good state in which to be a pharmacy technician. There may be states that pay better, but New Jersey has a wider selection of employment options than many other states.

Clearly becoming a pharmacy technician is a good option for students living in the state of New Jersey as the salary is good and there are a number of options open to them in terms of employment. Although the actual pharmacy technician programs in New Jersey are somewhat limited, there are still a number of high quality options available to students who are interested in pursuing a career in this particular area of the health care industry. Correspondence and online courses from other states may allow you to become a pharmacy technician outside of New Jersey.

The post Facts About Pharmacy Technician Programs In New Jersey appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

Overview

In Nebraska there are two main areas where you can become a pharmacy technician. The first key metropolitan area is Omaha where around 1,130 people are employed at about $27,400 a year. This well in step with the average employment rates across the country. In addition there is Lincoln where 350 pharmacy technicians are employed at about $24,320. These employment numbers are slightly below average for the US in general. In Nebraska there are around 2,150 people currently employed as pharmacy technicians, which is not bad when considering the population density of the state overall. A 31% growth rate is also anticipated for the state, meaning that it is a good place to seek employment as a pharmacy technician. There are a number of training programs available, but the most popular pharmacy technician training options are those programs that result in Associate’s degrees and Certificates.

Pharmacy Technician Training In Nebraska

Pharmacy technician programs in Nebraska will always cover coursework on the following topics:

• Pharmacology
• Chemistry
• Medical and pharmaceutical terminology
• Dosage calculations
• Drug reactions
• Pharmacy record keeping
• Interpreting prescriptions
• Pharmacy law
• Dosage forms
• Drug preparation
• Compounding of prescribed medications

In order to become a pharmacy technician it is highly recommended that you complete a formal training program. It is not always a requirement that you complete such a program, but many employers prefer you to have done the non-compulsory education before hiring you. It is possible to learn on the job, but this is gradually becoming a far less popular option as it is difficult to get into a job without training or experience. There is also voluntary certification you can strive for which too will improve your employment opportunities within the pharmaceutical industry.

Pharmacy Technician Careers In Nebraska

There are a number of different employers that you could work for as a pharmacy technician in Nebraska. These include:

• CVS/Pharmacy where you can earn around $8.05 – $12.79 an hour in Nebraska
• Walgreen’s Pharmacy where you can earn around $8.91 – $14.60 an hour in Nebraska
• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc where you can earn around $8.27 – $12.21 an hour in Nebraska
• Rite Aid Pharmacy where you can earn around $7.83 – $13.83 an hour in Nebraska
• Walgreen Co. where you can earn around $7.85 – $15.29 an hour in Nebraska

There are also a number of different industries where you may find employment as a pharmacy technician in Nebraska:

• In Retail Drugstore, Pharmacy Chain you can earn around $8.26 – $15.29 an hour in Nebraska
• In Retail you can earn around $8.29 – $15.36 an hour in Nebraska
• In Retail Grocery you can earn around $8.29 – $15.76 an hour in Nebraska
• In a Hospital you can earn around $8.75 – $15.92 an hour in Nebraska
• In Healthcare you can earn around $8.50 – $15.50 an hour in Nebraska

List Of Pharmacy Technician Programs In Nebraska

There are not a lot of options open to students who would like to become pharmacy technicians in Nebraska. There are not very many pharmacy technician programs in Nebraska for you to choose from. The main options are listed below. If you intend to continue living in Nebraska after your studies, it is probably better to attend one of these schools as different states tend to have different rules. If, however, you are planning to work in another state as a pharmacy technician, it may be in your best interests to relocate now and study there.

Schools in Nebraska:

• Institute of Business & Medical Careers, located in Cheyenne and offering a Pharmacy Technician Degree
• Vatterott College, located in Omaha and offering advanced Pharmacy Technician Degree options and other related qualifications
• Northeast Community College, located in Norfolk and offering an Associate degree program
• Southeast Community College Area, located in Lincoln and offering an Associate degree program
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln, located in Lincoln and offering a Doctorate degree program
• Western Nebraska Community College, located in Scottsbluff offering an Associate degree program

Correspondence Schools in Nebraska:

• National American University, which offers the following: Pharmacy Technician A.A.S.
• Penn Foster Career School, which offers the following: Pharmacy Technician
• Ashworth College, which offers the following: Pharmacy Technology

When selecting a school through which to earn you pharmacy technician qualification it is essential that you ensure that the school is appropriately accredited (and remember that an ‘approved’ school is not necessarily also an accredited school). When you are looking for the best school to attend, create a list of all of your options and narrow them down according to what your specific and personal needs and wants are. Apply to more than one school in order to improve your chances of being accepted.

According to citytowninfo.com the following is true about schools in Nebraska:

• Cities with highest percentage of jobs relative to population: Omaha
• Cities with lowest percentage of jobs relative to population: Lincoln
• Cities with the highest absolute number of jobs: Omaha

Salary

According to phramcaytechs.net the average salary you can expect to earn as a pharmacy technician in Nebraska is about $26,500 a year. The actual salary can differ from city to city, according to cbsalary.com, so here are the approximate figures you could expect to earn in different regions in Nebraska:

• In Grand Island you can expect to earn something in the region of $29, 860
• In Lincoln you can expect to earn something in the region of $30, 934
• In Hastings you can expect to earn something in the region of $29, 860
• In Omaha you can expect to earn something in the region of $32, 168
• In Kearney you can expect to earn something in the region of $29, 860

There are, in addition, a number of other factors that may play a role in terms of how much you actually earn as a pharmacy technician working in Nebraska. For example, apart from your specific area, you may find that different industries within the same city pay different amounts and that certain employers are more generous than others. In addition your level of education and experience will play role. In some cases you may even discover that there are slight gender differences in terms of how much pharmacy technicians earn.

Although there are not many pharmacy technician programs in Nebraska form which to make your choice, it is interesting to note that there are correspondence schools that you could choose to attend. In addition there are universities and training colleges that offer online programs across the country, but it is very important that you ascertain whether or not your state will accept the program you are considering as sufficient for you to register as a pharmacy technician there. Earnings for pharmacy technicians in Nebraska are not nearly as good as for pharmacy technicians who are planning to live and work elsewhere in the country, but it is still a very good salary which gains you access to the healthcare industry, one of the most stable industries out there. Job security is one of the main advantages of becoming a pharmacy technician in the current economic market and it is therefore a good idea to strive for this qualification.

The post Looking At Pharmacy Technician Programs In Nebraska appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

Buying Books For The Pharmacy Technician Exam

Because there are so many different pharmacy technician books out there to choose from you need to develop a fairly good idea f what sources for pharmacy technician books are reliable and which are not. For example it is better to choose books which are provided by:

• The PTCB
• The American Pharmacists Association

That is not to say that books form other publishers and sources are not just as good – the chances are merely higher that you will receive something that is of good quality and, more importantly, that is guaranteed to prepare you for your particular examination.

The vast choice that you have in this regard is bound to make you feel a little uncertain at times and you may begin to think that you will never be able to find the best pharmacy technician study guide for you. However all it takes is a little research and you will be well on your way to studying in a manner that is productive and that increases your chances of success on the examination.

There are two main resource material types that you will need to make a success of your exam:

• Books covering pharmacy procedures and practice, pharmacy math, and pharmacology (the study of medications).

• Two sets of flashcards, one set with common brand name medications and their corresponding generic drug name, and the other set with sig codes (medical abbreviations used on prescriptions and physician’s orders).

Books Available From The PTCB

The first place to begin looking for pharmacy technician books that will help you prepare for the examination is at the website of the PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board). The books that are mentioned here are guaranteed to be excellent as the board itself is well aware of what will be on the exam and is therefore uniquely positioned to provide you with appropriate materials. The list of books that the board offers can be found here. It must be noted that you will not be required to buy all of the books listed on this site as many of them cover the same work, just in different ways. Most students will buy no more than two actual books as well as supplementary materials like flash cards and CDs. Often books include these additional resources in the price. The two best books that the PTCB has on offer are the following:

• Manual for Pharmacy Technicians, Certification Review, and Workbook – by Bonnie S. Bachenheimer, Barbara Lacher, and Mary McHugh.

• Pharmacy Certified Technician Calculations Workbook and CD-ROM – by the Michigan Pharmacists Association.

It is highly recommended that you start your search at the PTCB.

American Pharmacists Association

In addition to the PTCB the American Pharmacists Association (APA) also has many excellent books on offer that will help you prepare for the exam. Again this is a trusted source of information regarding what the best books are. The books that are offered on the APAs website include:

• The Pharmacy Technician’s Pocket Drug Reference, 6th Edition by Joyce A. Generali

• The APhA Pharmacy Technician Certification Training Series SET

• Complete Review for the Pharmacy Technician, 2nd Edition by L. Michael Posey

• Complete Math Review for the Pharmacy Technician, 2nd Edition by William A. Hopkins

• Pharmacy Technician Certification Quick-Study Guide, 3rd Edition by Susan Moss Marks and William A. Hopkins, Jr.

• The Pharmacy Technician’s Pocket Drug Reference, 6th Edition by Joyce A. Generali

• The Pharmacy Technician Skills-Building Manual by Karen Snipe

• Communication & Management Skills for the Pharmacy Technician by Jody Jacobson Wedret

• The Pharmacy Technician’s Introduction to Pharmacy by L. Michael Posey

Again you will not be required to buy all of the books listed on this website as they tend to cover the same work. The important thing for you to determine before you begin searching for the best pharmacy technician books is what kind of study habits you have and what kind of learning methods suit you best.

Pharmacy Technician eBooks

In the modern world it is no longer necessary for you to buy a hardcopy of a book and carry it around with you. Technological advancements allow you to read books on devices such as the kindle offered by Amazon.com. This allows you to have numerous books with you at the same time as you will not have to limit the number of study guides you keep with based on the amount of space that you have in your bag. In addition you will, after a bit of research, come to realize that these eBooks can be substantially cheaper than actual books, although this is not always the case as you are, after all, paying for the intellectual property rather than for the paper. Like textbooks for many other subjects there are a number of pharmacy technician books available in eBook format that you will be able to take advantage of if you want to order multiple publications. Again you must consider whether or not you are a student that will learn better from an eBook or from a hardcopy.

The following eBooks are available from Amazon.com:

• The Pharmacy Technician: A Comprehensive Approach, Second Edition by Jahangir Moini. Download for $66.93

• Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Review, 3rd Edition by Lorraine C. Zentz. Download for $50.75

• Math for the Pharmacy Technician: Concepts and Calculations by Kathryn A. Booth and Lynn Egler. Download for $49.94

Used Text Books

If money6 is the problem you will be interested in hearing that there are many places where you can get your hands on used pharmacy technician books, which will, of course, be cheaper. Online websites such as eBay and Amazon.com frequently have such books available and you should be able to find them relatively easily. In addition you can also look for second hand book stores in your area as these may also contain pharmacy technician study guides. However you may not find exactly what you are looking for. The best place to find used pharmacy technician books is through other students who have already passed the examinations and no longer require the work. This is also something that you can do once you have written and passed the exam. However it must be noted that these books often come in handy when seeking recertification by writing the recertification examination, so this is also something that you may want to keep in mind.

There are a number of sources that you can turn to for finding the best pharmacy technician books. However there are still a large number to choose from, so a list of some of the bestselling and most helpful options is included below.

List Of Pharmacy Technician Books

When looking for the best guide to use when studying for your pharmacy technician exam, you have a lot of options to choose from, each of which is good for a different reason. Those listed here are considered to be bestsellers in terms of pharmacy technician preparation guides. There is also no reason to stick to only one book as some of them act as excellent complements to each other. Remember that these books are aimed at preparing you for the exam and already assume that you have developed some basic knowledge of the concepts involved in being a pharmacy technician.

PharmacyTrainer: Pharmacy Technician Certification Review Book
Pages: 350
Review: This is one of the most popular and comprehensive options that you could choose in order to prepare for the exam as it contains information in its 45 chapters that will cover all of the work you could possibly be tested on in the examination.

PharmacyTrainer: Pharmacy Technician Certification Interactive CDROM
Pages: N/A
Review: This contains that same information as the book listed above, but is better suited for those students who find it easier to learn through a computerized format than from a book.

Mizner: Mosby’s Review for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination Book + CDROM
Pages: 279
Review: Another comprehensive pharmacy technician book, this one also includes handy outlines and helpful electronic flash cards as well as a CD ROM for students who learn in different ways. This is one of the better pharmacy technician books available.

Thomson Learning: Comprehensive Exam Review for the Pharmacy Technician
Pages: unknown
Review: This book includes essential materials, comprehensive summaries of all of the relevant topics for the exam, quizzes and tests, as well as a CD ROM that provides a number of review questions and other materials to improve your chances on the exam.

Delmar: Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Review
Pages: 599
Review: As one of the best selling pharmacy technician books, this one, especially the most recent version thereof, comes highly recommended as a resource for studying for the pharmacy technician examination.

Posey: Complete Review for the Pharmacy Technician
Pages: 232
Review: This is a review book for those preparing for the exam and includes topics related to pharmacy calculations and contains more than 750 practice problems and a 101-question post-test. Hard work combined with this study guide will ensure success on the exam.

Aiken: Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Review
Pages: 142
Review: This is listed as one of the bestselling books for pharmacy technician students who would like to do their best on the pharmacy technician examination.

ASHP: Manual for Pharmacy Technicians
Pages: 596
Review: This pharmacy technician book offers practical skills and foundational knowledge for pharmacy technicians and it contains several additional chapters not contained in previous versions or other similar books including specialty pharmacy practice, communication and teamwork, billing and reimbursement, and durable and nondurable medical equipment and devices.

ASHP: Pharmacy Technician Certification Review and Practice Exam
Pages: 170
Review: This is a good option for those looking at taking the recertification exam as well as the initial certification exam. The current version has been modernized to include new content that aligns with the latest certification competencies, new and updated self-assessment questions, a chapter on test-taking tips, and a practice exam.

APhA: Pharmacy Technician Certification Quick Study Guide
Pages: 162
Review: This is known as one of the better pharmacy technician books offering many opportunities for students to practice their skills and check their understanding. It includes 457 sample questions with an answer key, key terms and concepts, chapter summary, and questions for discussion among other things.

Pharmacy Tech Series: Certification Exam Review
Pages: 196
Review: This is a resource that will help you feel fully prepared for the actual exam situation as it includes 5 certification practice exams, each consisting of 90 multiple-choice questions which are weighted according to PTCB content guidelines.

The books listed here are general considered to be some of the best pharmacy technician books currently available on the market and therefore are a good place to start with your search for the best guide to use when studying. It is important that you consider each book form your personal learning perspective and that you take the time, when possible, to flip through each book and determine whether or not it is the kind of book that you are likely to be able to study from with ease. This is a very personal decision for you to make.

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