How to Choose a Pharmacology Program

Some states will not require formal training in order to work as a pharmacy technician, however, by completing a training program you’ll have more experience in the field as opposed to new employees that require on the job training and you’ll therefore be more valuable to potential employers who will save money that will otherwise be used for training programs.

Some pharmacy technician schools will offer information sessions for potential students in order for the applicant to determine if a technician program is right for them before they commit to enrolling in a program.  The sessions will cover such topics as cost versus benefits, overall job duties, course curriculum and pharmacy technician certification options and responsibilities. Often admissions tests can be administered by the school during one of these sessions or it can be required before a student enrolls in order to evaluate a student for acceptance into the program.

Many of these schools will offer programs that will include internships that can help to prepare a student for immediate employment once they have completed the required courses. Through affiliations with local pharmacies a student is able to gain experience in the field by performing such duties as inventory control, recordkeeping, medication counting and physician order transcription. Every school will differ in this area as some will offer more lab time as opposed to more time spent in the field.

Pharmacy Technician Courses for Degree and Certificate Programs

Applicants for pharmacy tech programs will need to be 18 years of age and have their high school diploma or state equivalent. Students will need to complete an admissions application and provide school transcripts for the admissions department to review.

Training for this program can be found through degree or certificate programs, both of which will include field and classroom training. The associate’s degree program covers traditional courses which will include classes in social and behavioral science, mathematics, natural science and general elective classes. Students can also expect courses in anatomy, medication absorption, medical terminology, medical laws and ethics and medication dosage effects.

Certificate programs that are available for this field can be completed in one to two years and will also include an internship in a professional pharmacy setting and courses in drug interactions, medication absorption, anatomy, pharmacology laws and ethics and patient documentation.

After completion of either program the student will need to take certification exams through an accredited organization such as the PTCB, in order to obtain their licensure for this profession. To qualify for recertification the technician will need to earn twenty hours of continuing education every two years for license renewal.

As a professional, the technician can work in a number of environments such as retail pharmacies, dental offices, scientific research and development labs, private or public hospitals and medical clinics.

Certificate and Degree Programs for the Pharmacy Technician

The certificate program for the pharmacy tech can be completed in one to two years and will teach students how to fill prescriptions, interact with patients and mix, weigh and measure medications.  Student will also learn how to work closely with pharmacists and how to refer patients to pharmacist consultations, should they have questions regarding their prescription.  Common education requirements prior to enrolling in a certificate program will include being the minimum age of 18 and having a high school diploma or state equivalent.

Courses for this program will include anatomy, physiology, drug absorption, pharmacology ethics and laws, pharmacy procedures, drug interactions, medical terminology and medical transcription. During your enrollment in this program you can participate in an internship program, working and learning under the supervision of a professional pharmacist, gaining valuable field experience. As an intern you will observe the pharmacist at work, assist in counting medications and take inventory of drugs stored in the pharmacy.

Some colleges and universities will also offer an associate’s degree program for the pharmacy technician which will include a one year internship in a pharmacy setting during the final year of the program. Associate’s degree programs can be more commonly found at online universities for this specific career field. Courses for this program will include drug interactions, adverse effects, medication dispensation, pharmacology basics, anatomy, medication absorption rates, medical terminology, chemistry, biology and medical law and ethics.

Since a pharmacy technician will need to interact with patients and other medical health professionals they will need to have good customer service and communication skills. They will also need to have good spelling, have basic computer skills and be detail oriented.

Earning your Certification in this Field

Pharmacy technician requirements will vary by state so it’s important for the student to know whether they are required to have certification before pursuing employment. Voluntary certification is also available for this field and can be helpful when trying to find employment. The two organizations that offer the pharmacy technician certification are the PTCB, also known as the Pharmacy Technician Certification board and the NHA, or National Health Career Association. In order to be eligible for the certification exam the applicant will need to have their high school diploma and proof of completion from an accredited pharmacy technician certificate program, or two years of work experience in the pharmacology industry.