How to Obtain Your Pharmacy Technician Certification?

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

1. It is a computer-based exam, which will be taken at your local Pearson VUE test center.
2. 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. 

Common FAQs About Pharmacy Technician

As the baby boomers population continues to increase and health coverage is expanding in the wake of the ACA (Affordable Care Act), the demand for healthcare professionals has increased significantly. Moreover, as per the reports by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top five fastest-growing sectors in the economy are related to healthcare. The job prospect for pharmacy technicians is predicted to increase 9 percent over the next five years. Thus, if you have always wanted to be a part of the healthcare industry, pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician may sound interesting to you. 

If you are planning to enroll in a pharmacy technician training program in NY but want to know more about pharmacy technicians first, here are some frequently asked questions that will help you make an informed decision. 

What does a pharmacy technician do?

Pharmacy technicians work under licensed pharmacists to perform administrative duties, provide information to patients, and dispense medication. In order to become a pharmacy technician, you need to have a certification and may require a license issued by your state. The primary roles and responsibilities of a pharmacy tech include 

• Compounding medications
• Maintaining patient records, 
• Packaging and labeling medications 
• Measuring and counting doses of prescribed medications 

Pharmacy technicians play an integral role and help pharmacists perform their job better. There are plenty of different pharmacy technician programs that you can enroll yourself in to get the required certification, knowledge, and skills. 

How much do pharmacy technicians make? 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average salary a pharmacy technician makes is $32,700. The salary will vary depending on the experience, company, and industry you work in. 

What are the requirements to become a pharmacy technician? 

The legal requirements to become a pharmacy technician vary from one state to another. You can contact the state board of pharmacy to get the detailed requirements for your particular state. Find the state boards of pharmacy at the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). 

How long is the pharmacy technician training?

The duration of the training program varies from one school to another. However, it typically takes approximately 10 months to complete it. If you are enrolling in associate degree program, it will take two years to complete. 

Becoming a pharmacy technician is lucrative and rewarding. But make sure you choose a certified and licensed career school to enroll in a pharmacy technician training.