As pharmacy technicians are quickly becoming an important part of the healthcare industry, the regulations that administer the field continue to strengthen. Pharmacy Technicians Certification Board (PTCB) and other organizations have set a national standard for candidates looking to fulfill their careers as pharmacy technicians.
Needless to mention that pharmacy technicians play an integral role in the healthcare industry and work directly under a licensed pharmacist to provide information and dispense medication to patients. They usually work behind a pharmacy counter at a medical setting, nursing home, hospital, grocery, or a drugstore. The profession allows candidates to work closely with patients, pharmacists, and even with pharmaceutical reps.
If you want to make a successful career as a pharmacy technician and get an edge over others, it’s recommended to obtain pharmacy technician certification. The certification allows you to show your employers that you have gained theoretical and practical knowledge of the field. If you don’t know how to obtain certification, we are here to help.
Enroll in a pharmacy technician program - If you haven’t already enrolled in a pharmacy technician program in NY, it’s time you do. Make sure you enroll in PCTB - recognized training programs. Such a training program is designed to help aspiring candidates prepare for the pharmacy technician certification exam. The duration of a pharmacy technician training course varies depending on your state, location, and the school you choose to enroll in. It is usually nine months long and provides hands-on training to help you pass the test.
- Apply and schedule
Once you have spent months in pharmacy training, it’s time to apply for the certification exam. If you are applying for CPhT, you need to take PCTE, which costs $129. You need to create a PCTB account and apply for certification. After your application is approved, you will get an email with your authorization to schedule the examination. The PTCE is conducted all-year-around at over 1,400 Pearson Professional Centers around the nation. This means you can apply for the examination as per your schedule.
- Learn about the exam itself
Before appearing for the exam, it’s important to learn about it. You wouldn’t want to attempt your exam unprepared. Understanding what to expect during the examination will help you do better.
Here is what you need to know about the exam
- It is a computer-based exam, which will be taken at your local Pearson VUE test center.
- There will be 90 multiple choice questions to attempt within two hours of time, which includes 10 minutes for a tutorial in the beginning and post-exam survey.
- Prepare using practice tests
Taking practice tests is a great way to prepare yourself for the PTCE. This way you will get a feel of the examination and learn about the type of questions you can expect. This way you will get a better idea of how to allocate your time efficiently.
There are plenty of pharmacy technician schools in NY that provide pharmacy technician training programs and help aspiring candidates prepare for the examination.