How do I become a Pharmacy Technician?
I'm looking into going back to school and right now I'm currently interested and looking into becoming a Pharmacy Technician but I had a few questions first.
1. Exactly what training (schooling) do I need to go through. I've found out that you have to take an exam, but I know nothing more than that.
2. One of the colleges I'm looking at offers a AA in Pharmacy, would this be the same thing as Pharmacy Technician? If not would it at least be beneficial in the field?
3. Someone that has actually been a Pharm. Tech. can you please give me some ideas of work schedule, job description, salary, etc.
Thank you all very much.
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It depends on your state's laws.
For California and a number of other states, for example, there are 4 ways to become a Pharmacy Technician:
1. Have obtained an associate of arts degree in pharmacy technology.
2. Have completed a course of training specified by the board (typically provided by employers under requirements of California Code of Regulations Section 1793.6)
3. Have graduated from a school of pharmacy approved by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education or recognized by the board.
4. Be certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
I'm certified as a Pharmacy Technician in Texas. I simply took route #4 and took the PTCB exam. The exam can easily be passed with just studying a review book a few times.
The quickest route would be to simply take the PTCB exam - you can also take courses that prepare you for the exam if you're uneasy about the information on it, although a review book can be enough. Once you're certified after passing the exam, you apply for a license from the state board (on your state board's website). After they approve your license, you can apply for job positions.
While I never did actually work as a paid tech, I volunteered as a tech in a hospital pharmacy, and I'm currently in pharmacy school doing a pharmacy internship at a retail pharmacy.
Schedule:
Technician work schedule varies based on the actual site - but usually it's a typical 9-5 schedule, depending on when your pharmacy opens and closes. The scheduling is quite varied, and if you like working nights, you can work in a 24 hour pharmacy or work in a hospital pharmacy.
Job description:
You do tasks that assist the pharmacist and get things flowing in the pharmacy. This includes inputting dropped off prescriptions (taking the customer's information, typing up the prescription instructions, getting their insurance information, etc.), filling prescriptions, arranging medication shelves, helping customers find where a store product is located, ringing up the prescription when a customer comes to pick it up, as well as some troubleshooting like calling up an insurance company to resolve payment conflicts.
Salary:
Depends on your location and pharmacy site. The average hourly wage for a pharmacy technician is about $14 an hour.