Pharmacy Technician Certification
In many states in the U.S., pharmacy technicians are not required to obtain pharmacy technician certification prior to employment. However, most practitioners and employers value pharmacy technician certification for the solid knowledge and skills base as well as better employment opportunities it affords those who pursue and obtain it.
Steps To Take Prior to Obtaining Pharmacy Technician Certification
Before starting the certification process, it is best to take the time to research on the various certifying institutions as well as the prerequisites for certification. Reputable certifying organizations normally have the same prerequisites, among them, a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent non-U.S. academic credentials.
After extensive research, aspirants must decide where to obtain their pharmacy technician certification. Today many colleges, trade schools, and online universities have pharmacy technician certification programs.
The next step is to take a look at the classes or subjects to be taken in preparation for the certification exams. Upon fulfillment of admission requirements and enrollment for these classes, students must immediately immerse themselves in knowledge building and hands-on training with the end in view of getting certified.
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and the Examination for Certified Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) are still considered the most comprehensive and credible pharmacy technician certification tests. The PTCE tests examinees’ knowledge and mastery of the core responsibilities of a pharmacy technician, including maintenance of medical inventory and control systems, and the technician’s role in general administration. Examinees can take this test as many as times as they wish, until they pass it.
In order to keep one’s pharmacy technician certification, a practitioner must pursue continuing education, specifically around 10 to 20 hours of academic work every after two years.
Benefits of Obtaining Pharmacy Technician Certification
While pharmacy technician certification is neither a prerequisite nor a sure passport to employment, there remain industries, sectors, and businesses that strictly mandate it among job applicants. Hospital pharmacies are the best example.
A pharmacy technician certification will certainly benefit practitioners aspiring to shift to other related fields or move up to higher positions such as pharmacist in the future. A certified pharmacy technician enjoys the added advantage of easier admission into pharmacy schools, most of which give priority to applicants who have successfully completed the certification exams.
Apart from higher certified pharmacy technician salary, a pharmacy technician certificate assures practitioners of better certified pharmacy technician jobs and career advancement opportunities, making them riper and readier for management or supervisory roles.
Other Considerations
Certification may involve a considerable investment of time, effort, and money. Applicants may however seek help, particularly from employers that are willing to shoulder certification-related expenses or reimburse their employees for the costs of obtaining certification.
There is no standard timeframe for the entire pharmacy technician certification process. The amount of time it will take will largely depend on the number of subjects or units being taken each semester or the exemptions from certain subjects one was able to obtain. Generally, however, certification aspirants will need up to 12 months to obtain the education and training needed in preparation for certification. There are many though who have completed their education and preparation in as fast as six months.
Aspirants must make sure that the training they get in preparation for the certification exams is adequate and effective. Pharmacy technician certification could turn out to be best investment practitioners will ever make into their future.
Pharmacy Technician Certification
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