Pharmacy Technicians Certification
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Pharmacy Technicians Certification
Pharmacy Technicians Certification is an excellent way to increase earnings and attain a satisfying career as a respected professional in the field of allied health. Pharmacy Technicians work under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist and are employed in a wide range of settings.
These can include hospitals, retail pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, independent drugstores, nursing homes and other long-term healthcare facilities, the federal government, or medical clinics. The responsibilities of Pharmacy Technicians can entail preparing and packaging prescription medications for patients, delivering medications, working with patients’ insurance programs, and performing administrative duties within the place of employment.
Currently, Pharmacy Technicians Certification is required in Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming. Illinois and Florida have passed legislation which will require Pharmacy Technicians to be certified within the next couple of years. Although certification is still not required in every state, most employers are now seeking applicants who have received formal training and Pharmacy Technicians Certification.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job outlook for certified Pharmacy Technicians is quite strong. This can, in part, be attributed to the fact that demands on pharmacists are already on the rise and, consequently, so is the need for skilled Pharmacy Technicians.
Pharmacists are finding themselves falling into the roles of advisors and consultation specialists when dealing with patients rather than just being dispensers of medicine. It is predicted that formally trained Pharmacy Technicians will be needed to fill those areas left vacant by pharmacists.
When seeking Pharmacy Technicians Certification, enrolling in a high-quality program is the key. Pharmacy Technicians are required to not only have extensive knowledge about prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and nutritional supplements, but they also need to be very knowledgeable about medical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, billing issues, insurance programs and policies, and the governing laws of the profession.
Finding a quality program that meets all these requirements will place a student on the path to success. Pharmacy Technicians Certification programs can be found online, at community colleges, vocational or technical training schools, through the military, and also as part of employment with a pharmacy.
Achieving a Pharmacy Technician Certification means that one has successfully passed the test administered either by the Institute of Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT) or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and has proven basic knowledge and skills to begin working as a Pharmacy Technician.
The ICPT exam that is given is called ExCPT, and the exam given by the PTCB is the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE). The PTCB is considered the leader in Pharmacy Technicians Certification and its exam is the only one endorsed by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), and the American Society for Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
Regardless of which exam is taken, successfully passing either awards the credentials "CPhT", or Certified Pharmacy Technician. Those with Pharmacy Technician Certification have the potential for great earnings.
The annual salary for an entry-level Pharmacy Technician ranges from roughly $27,000 to $36,700. Education and experience can increase earnings immensely.
For example, a Pharmacy Technician Supervisor with a few years of experience can expect to earn as much as $60,000 annually.