How Many Years To Become A Pharmacy Tech
The bureau projects that employment for pharmacy technicians will grow by 32 percent between 2010 and 2020 much faster than the average for all occupations.
How many years to become a pharmacy tech. Many states require that you get certified to work as a pharmacy tech. Pharmd programs typically take four years to complete but some offer accelerated two or three year options. However more students are opting to pursue an associate of science degree studying for a full 2 years to become more competitive as job applicants. That s in addition to more basic skills like answering phone calls taking inventory of the pharmacy s supplies and providing high quality customer service.
A pharmacology tech degree emphasizes math record keeping and pharmacy specific laws. Enroll in a pharmacy technician program at an accredited vocational technical college or online program. Keep reading for 10 ways to become a pharmacy technician in ireland. The programs vary in length and will prepare you to take the pharmacy technician certification board ptcb exam.
As pharmacy technicians take on increasingly important roles and responsibilities the regulations governing the profession continue to strengthen. Pharmacy technicians must have working knowledge of pharmacy operations procedures hipaa regulations and medications. For most students it takes a total of 1 to 3 years to train and become a certified pharmacy technician cpht. To become a pharmacist you ll need to earn a doctor of pharmacy degree pharmd from a school or college of pharmacy accredited by the accreditation council for pharmacy education.
But you must decide if you want to do a one year or two year program. The role of the pharmacy technician is very important to any pharmacy. Their median income was 28 940 per year. A pharmacy technician diploma or certificate program can be completed in one year or less and provides the basic education and training needed to sit for the certified pharmacy technician exam.
Many colleges and websites offer online pharmacy technician programs. A pharmacy technician s job is to assist the pharmacist with certain daily tasks such as entering data measuring out and packaging medications processing payment information and accurately placing the correct labels on medication. Each state s pharmacy board oversees its certification standards. Organizations such as the pharmacy technicians certification board ptcb are able to provide a national standard for technicians but in the end each state determines its own minimum requirements for working as a pharmacy tech.
The lowest earning 25 percent reported incomes of up to 23 940 while the highest earning 25 percent earned 35 420 per year or higher. In addition to a diploma or ged your state may require a background check testing and a formal training program. These programs introduce students to basic concepts in pharmaceutical technology record keeping pharmacy law and ethics and pharmacology.