Pharmacy tech training – Everything you need to know
Have you been inspired to work in the healthcare industry with everything happening around the world since 2020? Do you want to be a part of the workforce that reduces the suffering of patients but don’t know how to get started? Enrolling in a pharmacy tech training may be the perfect opportunity to get you started.
Becoming a Pharmacy tech with pharmacy tech training could be the right path for you. With the right Pharmacy tech training, you could be well on your way to a highly satisfying career. In this article, you can expect to find all you will need to know before you enroll.
Ready to start your pharmacy tech training? Enroll today!
Who is a Pharmacy technician?
Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or healthcare professionals. The job requires knowledge of drugs and medications as well as the skill to converse with customers, do quick problem-solving, organize and manage inventory, and lots more. They are also required to assist in the compounding and preparation of medication.
In times of crisis like the Covid-19 pandemic, this job is a highly essential role in the healthcare field. If you enjoy multitasking, helping patients, and love a challenging role, this may be the right path for you.
How can I become a pharmacy technician?
For a pharmacy technician career in healthcare, you do not need to have prior knowledge or a degree of any kind. Simply enroll in a good Pharmacy tech training program, give it your all to pass the certification exam and you could be on your way towards being hired! Keep in mind though, some states (like Michigan) may also require pharmacy technicians to become licensed.
Other than regular classes, assignments, and tests, you may also have to go through an externship in the education program you attend. Here you’ll be expected to get hands-on experience in the pharmacy industry and work with real experts whom you’ll have a lot to learn from – so you better be alert!
What can I expect to learn in pharmacy tech training?
For a highly crucial role as one that involves the dispensing of medication to sick patients and other healthcare professionals, it is important that pharmacy technicians know what they’re doing and are highly informed and alert at all times. For this reason, a program typically involves the following topics:
- Soft skills needed in pharmacy operations like customer communication, problem-solving and more.
- Knowledge of medical vocabulary, common diseases, laboratory tests, pharmacological abbreviations, and structure of the human body.
- Basic knowledge of the laws and regulations surrounding pharmacy operations and practices.
- An externship under the supervision of a pharmacist.
- Having knowledge of HIPAA regulations.
Want to learn more about the pharmacy tech training program? Learn more!
Here are the typical subjects covered in a pharmacy tech program:
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Healthcare systems
- Pharmacy ethics and laws
- Medical terminology
- Anatomy
- Pharmaceutical calculations
How can I get a pharmacy technician certification?
After you complete your pharmacy tech training, you may have to pass an exam and get certified. This requirement may vary from state to state or employer to employer, but obtaining certification is always a good idea regardless. In some states, you will also need a license to seek employment in this field. In most states, you have to pass either the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Exam called the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or the National HealthCareer Association’s Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExPT).
After passing either of these exams you will be called a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). The certification from PTCB is most fruitful as it is accepted in all states across the US.
You will be required to renew your certification every two years by earning a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education credits.
In the State of Michigan, pharmacy technicians must become licensed. Obtaining your certification is a key component of your journey towards becoming licensed.
Job duties – what is expected of you on the job?
Once on the job, you can’t afford to make mistakes or give wrong medication to a patient. It’s essential you know the following job responsibilities before you decide to take on this role –
- Support the senior pharmacist
- Help out in the dispensing of medicines
- Help out in the filling of prescription papers
- Send out bills to insurance companies
- Create labels of prescriptions
- Prepare and manage inventory
- Sterilize and clean medical equipment
- Arrange for low or out-of-stock medicine in times of crisis from suppliers
- Help in the compounding and preparation of medicines
- Provide a supportive customer experience
- Remain calm and composed in times of high medical alerts like an endemic, pandemic, accident cases, or other healthcare emergencies.
Where can you work as a pharmacy technician?
After completing your pharmacy tech training and passing the certification exam, you can apply for a job as a pharmacy technician in just about any pharmacy. These include pharmacies in grocery stores, general merchandise stores, typical drug stores, and hospitals.
You can choose to work part-time or full-time. If you’re planning to apply in a hospital, you may be presented with different tasks than what you may encounter in a regular store pharmacy. Regardless of your workplace, you can still have a positive impact on others as a pharmacy technician.
The Takeaway
Not only is the profession of a Pharmacy Tech highly reputed and respected, but it’s also highly satisfying as you become a small part of the process of healing sick patients and making their life better. To get started on this journey, Dorsey College offers a great Pharmacy Technician training program that is hands-on and provides you with all the soft skills and knowledge of becoming a great healthcare worker.
Dorsey College will pay the cost one-time for a graduate’s Certification exam if you have met their exam preparation guidelines and requirements. What are you waiting for? You got this! Contact Dorsey College today to learn more.
