What Is a Certified Pharmacy Technician Definition

Once you`ve earned your PTCB CPhT qualification, you can advance your career with PTCB`s assessment-based certificates in areas such as medication history and technician product verification (TPV). PTCB offers Compound Sterile Preparation Technician® (TPSD) ® certification to qualified PTCB CPhTs responsible for the manufacture of drugs and products using sterile techniques. Pharmacy technicians who have earned multiple PTCB qualifications can earn the ultimate differentiator, CPhT-Adv (Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician™) certification™. Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (ExCPT): The ExCPT is administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). To write the exam, you must have completed an approved training program or have completed at least 1,200 hours of supervised pharmacy-related work. Certification programs typically last about a year and focus entirely on what you need to know to become a pharmacy technician. They usually end with an internship to give you experience on your resume and introduce you to the daily life of technicians. Upon completion of your studies, you should be prepared to pass the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination. There are also other certification exams you can take instead, including the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). The PTCB certification exam covers topics such as quality assurance in pharmacies, drug safety, pharmaceutical law, billing and reimbursement, sterile preparation, non-sterile preparation, order entry and fulfillment processes, information systems application, and pharmacology. Many states require pharmacy technicians to have a license before they can start working.

Certifications, on the other hand, are usually not necessary to start working, but can increase your income and show employers that you`ve met industry standards. While not a mandatory requirement, appointing a Certified Pharmacy Technician or Licensed Pharmacy Technician can make it easier to secure a position in this role, as it would signal to potential employers that you have achieved a minimum level of skills required to perform Pharm Tech`s duties and/or have met your state`s licensing requirements. Most employers prefer to hire pharmacy technicians who have completed an associate`s degree or certification program from a technical or community college. Most of these programs can be completed in less than a year. Ideally, you should opt for a program that has been accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, as these programs have at least 600 hours of instruction. However, the norm is to choose a program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. That is the most important consideration. You can use your experience as a pharmacy technician in other ways. Pharmacy technicians can perform clerical tasks, such as processing insurance claims. You can also choose to become a pharmacist, lab technician or physician assistant. Some pharmacy technicians may also specialize in a medical field such as oncology (cancer treatment).

Another difference is that while some states require you to be certified to be licensed, you don`t need to be licensed to get a license. Some licensing bodies require applicants to prove that they have completed a training program and passed a certification exam. However, neither the CBWP nor the NHA require candidates to be licensed for the certification examination. The pharmaceutical industry is constantly looking for better drugs and technological advances. The industry will always need qualified certified pharmacy technicians who want to stay up to date with the latest medical innovations. This program also includes an internship that gives you the opportunity to put into practice what you have learned in a pharmaceutical setting. Not to mention, all WBU graduates have direct access to our career services team, who can help you prepare your resume, hone your interview skills, and provide you with advice on how to conduct your job search. Contact us today to learn more or register! To learn more, check out our explanation of the different career opportunities for pharmaceutical technicians or learn more about the different training programs. The career prospects for this role are good, which is one of the many reasons people want to learn how to become a pharmacy technician.

Healthcare is currently one of the largest industries in the country, with 11 million jobs. In addition, between 2018 and 2020, health care is expected to create the most jobs compared to other occupational groups. There are test sites throughout the country. If you would like an additional practice before taking the Pharmacy Technician Certification exam, practice tests are available for a fee at www.ptcb.org. Two agencies currently offer certification as pharmacy technicians. These are the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the National Healthcareer Association. To support the development and professionalization of the technical workforce, the ASHP officially launched the Pharmacy Technician Forum in 2018. As a members` house for pharmacy technicians, the Forum offers a variety of resources, networking opportunities and valuable professional development.

Learn more about the ASHP Pharmacy Technician Forum. The requirements for the pharmacy technician exam are simple. You must have a high school diploma, GED, or foreign equivalent, and you must not have convictions for crimes or drugs. Also, you should not be subject to any restrictions from a state pharmacy office. CoEs are in-person or online courses and activities to keep you informed about pharmaceutical practices. 2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Career Opportunities Handbook. Pharmacy technician. Summary. www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm#tab-1 In a way, pharmacy technicians can be seen as a link between clients and pharmacists. When you become a pharmacy technician, you are responsible for many tasks, including the precise preparation and dispensing of medications.

This also includes performing calculations. Pharmacy technicians are also responsible for producing sterile drugs, such as those used in cancer treatment.