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Are you interested in becoming a pharmacy technician? Great! The first step is to obtain your pharmacy tech certification. Here’s how.
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Research
Research is critical for anyone considering a career in pharmacy technology. There are many online and offline resources available to help you make informed decisions about your education and career. The first step is to research the different types of pharmacy tech programs available.
pharmacy technician schools
There are a few different ways to become a certified pharmacy technician One option is to attend a pharmacy technician school. There are both brick-and-mortar and online schools that offer pharmacy technician programs. These programs typically take around six months to complete and will prepare you for the pharmacy technician certification exam
Another option is to complete a pharmacy technician training program offered by a hospital or retail pharmacy. These programs can vary in length, but they will also prepare you for the certification exam.
Once you have completed a training program or accredited pharmacy technician school, you will then need to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). This exam is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Once you have passed the exam, you will be a certified pharmacy technician and can begin working in a pharmacy setting.
online programs
There are online programs available that can help you prepare for the pharmacy technician certification exam. These programs typically offer coursework and practice exams that can help you become familiar with the material covered on the exam. Some programs also offer guidance from certified pharmacy technicians who can answer your questions and provide feedback on your progress.
certification requirements
There are no nationally standardized certification requirements for pharmacy technicians, but all states regulate pharmacy technicians in some way. In most cases, certification is voluntary, although some employers prefer to hire certified technicians.
In order to be eligible for national certification, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent, complete an accredited pharmacy technician training program, and pass a national exam. Some states have additional requirements, such as passing a state-specific exam.
Certification exams are offered by several organizations, including the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA). Both exams cover similar material, but the PTCB exam is more widely recognized. After passing the exam, candidates must complete continuing education credits every two years in order to maintain their certification.
Although there is no formal certification requirement for pharmacy technicians in most states, becoming certified can show employers that you are serious about your career and committed to being the best possible technician you can be. It can also lead to better job opportunities and higher wages.
Certification
There are many ways to get pharmacy tech certification. You can go to school for it, or you can get it online. You can also get it through the mail. You can even get it through your employer.
pharmacy technician certification exam
In order to become a certified pharmacy technician, you must pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). The PTCE is a computer-based exam administered by Pearson VUE. You can register for the exam online.
To be eligible to take the PTCE, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent, and you must have completed a pharmacy technician training program or have at least 1 year of work experience as a pharmacy technician.
The PTCE consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. The questions cover 4 content areas:
-Medication safety (25%)
-Medication ordering and inventory (20%)
-Patient care and communication (25%)
-Pharmacy operations and quality assurance (30%).
You will have 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete the exam.
continuing education
Even if you don’t plan on sitting for the PTCB or ExCPT exams, completing a pharmacy technician training program and continuing your education will help you hone your skills and make you more attractive to employers. Many employers require their pharmacy technicians to take continuing education courses and some even offer on-the-job training opportunities.
Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for pharmacy technicians is bright, with a projected 20% growth in employment from 2018 to 2028. This is much faster than the average for all occupations.
pharmacy technician job outlook
Employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 12 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. An aging population and a growing incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes will lead to increased demand for prescription medications.
As large numbers of baby boomers reach their golden years, the number of older adults taking multiple medications will continue to increase. This trend is expected to result in greater demand for pharmacy technicians in hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.
The growing use of computerized systems in pharmacies has increased the need for technicians with computer skills. Some employers prefer candidates with certification from an accredited pharmacy technician program.
top paying industries
Healthcare is one of the top paying industries for pharmacy technicians, and that status is expected to continue in the coming years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a pharmacy technician was $32,700 in May 2015, and job growth in the field is projected to be 9% from 2014 to 2024, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the strong job outlook for pharmacy technicians. One is the aging population. As people live longer, they require more medical care, which means more prescriptions and more need for qualified pharmacy technicians to fill them. Another factor is insurance expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which will enable more people to have access to healthcare and therefore increase demand for pharmacy services.
top paying states
The BLS notes that the top five states for pharmacy technicians in terms of employment levels are California, Texas, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania. The top five states in terms of wages are Alaska, California, Washington, Hawaii and Massachusetts. Wages will also vary depending on your employer. For example, those working in grocery stores generally make less than those working in hospitals or other medical facilities.
