Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Making the best of a career as a pharmacy technician

Anybody who wishes to have a rewarding and successful career in the allied health care field as a pharmacy technician would first have to obtain considerable education as well as go through training for obtaining certification in this field.

People with certification in this field are capable of working in multiple work environments. They can even take up additional jobs apart from just offering help at the pharmacy counter and helping senior pharmacist. 

What training is necessary to become certified pharmacists?

One can choose from many pharmacy technician training programs that offer training and education for aspiring candidates. Each program’s duration and length may vary. A ten week or shorter program will allow candidates receive a certificate. However, do not confuse them with a certification program. These courses offer an overview of the profession by familiarizing the students with the basics of their job in settings like a hospital or retail.  After undergoing such programs, students become eligible to apply for such jobs.

Duration of the diploma programs is typically one year and it prepares the candidates to appear in the national exams for obtaining CPhT (certified pharmacy technician) certification.  Diploma programs are highly in depth.

The course which are typically a part of associate degree and certification course programs would comprise of the following subjects: chemistry, pharmacy administration, human anatomy, pharmaceutical and medical terms, pharmacology, human physiology, pharmaceutical law, drug compounding, drug emergencies, prescription labeling, medical billing, pharmacy inventor management, pharmaceutical terms and several other specialized topics.

Externships:

All certification courses for pharmacy tech training will be inclusive of some practical training through externship. Under that, students are required to accrue somewhere around 400 hours of work under a licensed pharmacist’s supervision. It generally takes place in the pharmacy environment.

Employment post training:

Upon the successful completion of education and receiving adequate work experience, a qualified pharmacy technical can apply for a number of jobs, which can begin with retail pharmacy which is the basic level of employment.

After that however, there are many better paying and equally  challenging positions that exist in outpatient facilities, hospitals, compounding pharmacies, inpatient facilities, medical insurance companies, pharmacy supplying firms and several other settings.

Upon receiving certification by going for associate degree program or upon becoming a registered technician, one will have to handle more duties and responsibilities with higher level of designation. However, all this would also mean better pay and better opportunities for employment.

Undergoing pharmacy technician training will help you secure better wages along with better work environment and employment opportunities.

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