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If you’re interested in becoming a pharmacy technician in Ohio, this blog post is for you. Learn about the necessary education and training requirements, as well as the job outlook and salary potential for pharmacy techs in Ohio.
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Introduction
A pharmacy technician also referred to as a pharmacy tech, is a vital member of a pharmacy team. They are responsible for various tasks, such as preparing and dispensing medications, answering customer questions, and maintaining records. If you’re interested in becoming a pharmacy tech in Ohio, read on for more information.
What is a pharmacy technician?
A pharmacy technician is a professional who works under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist to help dispense medication and provide other important services to patients. pharmacy technicians typically work in hospitals, retail pharmacies, and clinics. Some may also work in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes.
The duties of a pharmacy technician vary depending on the specific job setting, but generally include tasks such as answering phones, taking patient medical histories, inputting prescription information into the computer system, filling prescription orders, and assisting pharmacists with other tasks as needed.
What are the duties of a pharmacy technician?
A pharmacy technician’s duties vary from state to state and according to the type of pharmacy in which they work, but there are some general duties that are common to most positions. In most cases, pharmacy technicians:
-Receive written prescription or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate
-Ask the customer questions about their health history and medications
-Select the appropriate medication from stock
-Count or pour medications into containers
-Label containers with patients’ names, physicians’ names, and instructions for taking the medication
-May mix some medications according to written prescriptions
-Price prescriptions and process insurance claims
-Deliver medications to patients
What are the education requirements to become a pharmacy technician in Ohio?
The Ohio State Board of Pharmacy requires that pharmacy technicians complete a training program that has been approved by the Board. The program must consist of at least 640 hours, and must include both classroom instruction and supervised practical experience. Upon completion of an approved program, candidates must then pass a national certification exam.
Steps to Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Ohio
In Ohio, pharmacy technicians must have a high school diploma or GED. They must also complete a pharmacy technician program that is accredited by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. Once these requirements have been met, pharmacy technicians must then pass a national certification exam.
Complete a pharmacy technician training program
Becoming a pharmacy technician in Ohio requires completing an accredited training program and passing a certification exam. Some pharmacy technician programs in Ohio may also require completing an externship.
accredited pharmacy technology program at an Ohio college or technical school, OR
completing a minimum of 520 hours of training through on-the-job-training or a combination of on-the-job training and coursework at an accredited institution, AND
passing the pharmacy technician certification exam (PTCE) administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
Register with the Ohio Board of Pharmacy
The first step to becoming a pharmacy technician in Ohio is to register with the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. You can do this by completing an application and paying a registration fee. You will also need to submit proof of your high school diploma or GED. Once you are registered, you will be able to start working as a pharmacy technician in Ohio.
Obtain a criminal background check
Anyone who wants to become a pharmacy technician in Ohio must first obtain a criminal background check. The Ohio Pharmacy Board requires all applicants to have a background check performed before they can be certified. The background check must be completed by an agency that is approved by the Board.
Become certified as a pharmacy technician
To work as a pharmacy technician in Ohio, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent and must be at least 18 years old. You will also need to become certified as a pharmacy technician through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). To become certified, you must pass the pharmacy technician certification exam (PTCE).
In order to take the PTCE, you must first complete an accredited pharmacy technician training program. Once you have completed a training program, you will then be eligible to sit for the PTCE.
Maintaining Certification as a Pharmacy Technician in Ohio
Pharmacy Technician Certification in Ohio is regulated by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. To be certified, one must first complete an accredited pharmacy technician training program and then pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT). The PTCE is offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the ExCPT is offered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA).
Renew registration every two years
You must renew your registration every two years on or before your birthday. The Ohio Board of Pharmacy will send you a renewal form and instructions approximately 60 days before your registration expires.
You must complete at least 20 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to renew your registration. You can find CE opportunities on the Board’s website, in the Board’s newsletter The Pulse, or in the Pharmacy Technician Certification Commission’s (PTCB) Pharmacy Technician Newsletter.
If you are certified by the PTCB, you can use these CE hours to fulfill the CE requirements for registration renewal. You must have earned these CE hours within the two years preceding the date you renew your registration.
The Board accepts continuing education from several sources, including:
-Accredited colleges and universities
-National, state and local pharmacy associations
-Professional journals
-Participation in pharmacy residency programs
Complete continuing education requirements
All recertifying pharmacy technicians must complete 20 contact hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. The CE requirements may be satisfied by completing an accredited academic or training program or by completing CE activities such as attending conferences, participating in live or interactive video/audio broadcasts, or completing web-based programs. All CE activities must be approved for CE credit by a nationally recognized provider of continuing education for pharmacy technicians and be relevant to pharmacy technician practice. A list of approved providers can be found on the Ohio Board of Pharmacy’s website.
