Pharmacy Technician Jobs, Certification, Training, Salary

A pharmacy technician career is one in a growing field that is an important part of the health care industry. Those who have a passion for medicine and learning about drug properties may want to give this career path a closer look.

People interested in pursuing a pharmacy technician career should have a solid foundation in both math and science. Performing conversions and calculations are one main aspect of this job. Many community colleges and some online schools offer a pharmacy technician program that can be completed in as few as six months. Graduates of the program may choose to sit for the national certification exam. Achieving a good score on this test will ensure a higher pharmacy technician salary.

There are many opportunities for pharmacy technicians in retail stores, mail order pharmacies, hospitals and clinics. In retail, techs will process orders for customers, often filling the prescription under the pharmacist’s supervision. Also, they will gather patient information, including medical history and drug allergies. In a retail or mail order setting it’s important for the techs to learn the medication names and generic counterpart. This makes for more efficient filing and is useful to know. Since customer service is a main aspect of this role, people skills are a must for retail pharmacy technicians.

Hospital pharmacy technicians have slightly less interaction with customers, but more with the medications. Pharmacists will usually have the technicians mix solutions, prepare syringes for intravenous and subcutaneous drugs, etc. Also, they will often prepare nutritional supplements for patients unable to eat by mouth. After all medications are prepared, they will deliver them to the various nursing stations. In most states, pharmacy technician certification is required to perform these higher level duties.

The job outlook is promising for this field. As the population ages and more drug solutions are developed, the industry needs skilled people to fill and distribute prescriptions. Since advanced skills are required, a pharmacy technician salary reflects that. The average hourly rate in retail stores ranges from $9-$12, while hospitals usually range from $10-$15 an hour, depending on experience. Pay can increase by being promoted to Lead Pharmacy Technician, a management position, or by becoming a CPhT (certification credentials). This is one career path that will be around for awhile and will provide steady income and stability.

The role of a pharmacy technician is dynamic in the ever growing health field, in that client interaction is high, drug development is at its peak, and the learning curve is sharp. This is a guaranteed position to shape a new worker into a skilled employee. Pharmacy technician jobs are perfect for someone who loves to interact with others on a personal level and has a knack for customer service and the medical field as well as business knowledge.

Pharmacists are highly trained experts; working closely with such a professional, respected member of the medical field is an honorable position with a great deal of potential. Not all states require pharmacy technicians to complete a certification course, but it is highly recommended as a solid starting point for jump starting a successful career. Pharmacy Technician Certification includes training on medical basics such as terminology, measurements, laboratory procedures, chemistry and more.

Becoming a certified pharmacy technician is suggested when considering a career as a pharmacy technician because it will initiate an advantage over rival applicants who may be less prepared, it may increase salary benefits, and it will likely open up a higher level of options in regards to place of employment. Choosing a pharmacy technician career at this time is a pivotal decision due to the growing demand and increasing rate of emerging positions.

Pharmacy technician training involves critical tasks such as counting, measuring and pouring medications per the pharmacist or doctor’s instructions, bottling or labeling medications, client services, book keeping duties and communicating closely with the pharmacists on all daily activities. Central duties may vary depending on which type of pharmacy technician position is desired. For example, positions held in a nursing home or a hospital are usually comprised of a wider range of responsibilities, due to the more concentrated nature of personal patient care, versus a less intense role found in more typical retail pharmacy settings.

Pharmacy tech training has significantly evolved over the past decade. Where once a high school diploma was sufficient, it is now desired for this role to be filled with someone of a higher education who represents an eagerness to learn. These are essential characteristics in a pharmacy technician, to allow drug stores and pharmaceutical companies to exhibit a well-rounded level of competence and excellence in their business in order to win the trust and respect of their patients and clients.

Achieving certification as a pharmacy technician allows the CPhT to work better with pharmacists in providing improved patient care and other advantages such as improved service.

Also, pharmacy technicians who have passed the Pharmacy Technician Exam report pay increases and opportunities for promotion. Achieving certification leads to higher self-esteem, increased job satisfaction and a better working knowledge in the field.

The process of certification is when a non-governmental agency gives recognition to an individual who meets specified qualifications predetermined by the agency. In the pharmacy technician field it is the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) that is one of two agencies with these responsibilities.

Certification is not a substitute for registration of licensure. A CPhT must check with their state board of pharmacy to find out about registering.

PTCB has 45 State Associates. The responsibilities of the State Associates are to market the PTCB exam to qualified individuals, distribute information about the exam process and nominate both pharmacists CPhT for assignment to committee of PTCB.

The following criteria must be met in order to sit for the exam

• High School Diploma, GED or foreign diploma
• Absence of a felony conviction
• Absence of drug or pharmacy related convictions, this includes misdemeanors. Negative information must be given to PTCB
• No negative action of any kind by a State Board of Pharmacy

Pharmacy Technician Exam Composition:

The PTCE is an exam that is composed of 90 multiple choice questions. It is given by computer at a test center.

Of the 90 questions, 10 are pre-test questions randomly placed throughout the test for possible inclusion in future exams. Answers to these questions are not calculated in the applicant’s final score.

Three areas of competency are included in the Pharmacy Technician Exam:

Of the 90 question, 66% of the exam is concerned with assisting the pharmacist in serving patients. Areas covered include prescription processing, data collection, compounding, patient communication, third-party communication and other drug administration functions.
Also, 22% of the test examines the applicant’s knowledge of maintaining medication and inventory control systems. This includes record keeping, inventory control, medicine identification and record keeping.
Finaly, 12% of the exam tests the applicants knowledge of Administration and Management of Pharmacy Practice. This includes regulatory compliance, billing and accounting, quality assurance and dispensing technologies.

Tips and Hints for Preparing for The Exam:

Study for the exam. The exam categories are known and each of the three should be studied. PTCB does not endorse any program or materials for exam preparation. Your textbooks and training manuals will cover all the materials.

In addition, take practice exams – they are available of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board web-site and on a site called TestPrepReview.com. TestPrepReview.com also has other study aids available including an online course. Additionally there is no charge for using the site.

Also, be aware of time constraints. You have two hours for the PTCE. Your score is based on number of questions answered correctly. Go through the exam, if stuck on a question pass it up and go back at the end (be sure you leave time for this) and give your best answer. A wrong answer is no worse than a blank answer.

Finally, keep calm. Of course the test is important, but stressing over it will in no way improve your score. If you have prepared for the exam then you will be able to do your best.