Pharmacy Tech
Becoming a Pharmacy Technician: Your Comprehensive Guide to a Rewarding Career
Discover the path to a fulfilling career as a pharmacy technician. This guide provides essential insights, steps, and tips to help you embark on a successful journey in the world of pharmaceutical healthcare.
Oct 11, 2023
Becoming a pharmacy technician is a great way to start a career in the healthcare industry. Pharmacy technicians play an important role in helping licensed pharmacists dispense prescription medications and provide advice to patients. Here are the steps you can take to become a pharmacy technician.
Get a High School Diploma or GED: Most pharmacy technician programs require a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
Complete a Pharmacy Technician Program: The most common way to become a pharmacy technician is to complete a pharmacy technician program. These programs are offered at vocational schools, community colleges, and some universities. They typically take between six months and two years to complete and include both classroom instruction and hands-on training.
Pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or state certification exam: After completing a pharmacy technician program, you will be eligible to take the PTCE, which is offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). The exam tests your knowledge of pharmacy operations and regulations. Some states have their own certification exam.
Get a Job as a Pharmacy Technician: Once you have passed the PTCE or state certification exam, you will be eligible to work as a pharmacy technician. You can find job openings in retail pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings.
Continuing Education: Many states require pharmacy technicians to complete continuing education (CE) in order to maintain their certification. Continuing education can be achieved through online classes, workshops, and conferences.
In summary, becoming a pharmacy technician requires a high school diploma or GED, completion of a pharmacy technician program, passing the PTCE or state certification exam, getting a job as a pharmacy technician and continuing education. With the right training and certification, you can be well on your way to a rewarding career as a pharmacy technician.
