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The following is written by and according to the U.S. Department of Labor and particular to the education and training required for Pharmacy technicians and aids.

There are no standard training requirements for pharmacy technicians, but some States require a high school diploma or its equivalent. Although most pharmacy technicians receive informal on-the-job training, employers favor those who have completed formal training and certification. On-the-job training generally ranges between 3 and 12 months.

Formal technician education programs are available through a variety of organizations, including community colleges, vocational schools, hospitals, and the military. These programs range from 6 months to 2 years and include classroom and laboratory work. They cover a variety of subject areas, such as medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy recordkeeping, pharmaceutical techniques, and pharmacy law and ethics. Technicians also are required to learn the names, actions, uses, and doses of the medications they work with. Many training programs include internships, in which students gain hands-on experience in actual pharmacies. After completion, students receive a diploma, a certificate, or an associate's degree, depending on the program.

There are no formal education requirements for pharmacy aides, but employers may favor applicants with a high school diploma or its equivalent. Experience operating a cash register, interacting with customers, managing inventory, and using computers may be helpful. Pharmacy aides also receive informal on-the-job training that generally lasts less than 3 months.

Certification and other qualifications. In most States, pharmacy technicians must be registered with the State board of pharmacy. Eligibility requirements vary, but in some States applicants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent and pay an application fee.

Most States do not require technicians to be certified, but voluntary certification is available through several private organizations. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT) administer national certification examinations. Certification through such programs may enhance an applicant's prospects for employment and is required by some States and employers. To be eligible for either exam, candidates must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and no felony convictions of any kind. In addition, applicants for the PTCB exam must not have had any drug-related or pharmacy-related convictions, including misdemeanors. Many employers will reimburse the cost of the exams.

Under these programs, technicians must be recertified every 2 years. Recertification requires 20 hours of continuing education within the 2-year certification period. Continuing education hours can be earned from several different sources, including colleges, pharmacy associations, and pharmacy technician training programs. Up to 10 hours of continuing education also can be earned on the job under the direct supervision and instruction of a pharmacist.

Good customer service and communication skills are needed because pharmacy technicians and aides interact with patients, coworkers, and healthcare professionals. Basic mathematics, spelling, and reading skills also are important, as technicians must interpret prescription orders and verify drug doses. Technicians also must be precise: details are sometimes a matter of life and death.

For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated directly below this answer section.

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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the estimated mean annual wage for pharmacy technicians as of May 2008 is, $28,500. This would amount to $13.70 per hour. Median hourly wages of wage and salary pharmacy technicians in May 2008 were $13.32. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.95 and $15.88. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.27, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $18.98.

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Q: What are the qualifications for being pharmacy technicians in Alabama?
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What does being a pharmacy technician entail?

The roles and responsibilities of a pharmacy technician include preparing prescriptions, attending phone calls, maintaining supplies and handling sales. Pharmacy technicians receive prescription requests from customers or directly from physicians.


Which field better pharmacy tecnihian or radiography with diploma?

Pharmacy technicians are getting pushed out and being replaced with pharmacy students. Techs get little money, lots of responsibility and there are not very many jobs available. I left the field about two years ago.


What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a pharmacy technician?

a Current employment trends are good: 82% of graduates get a job right after completing their education. a Pharmacy technicians can enjoy the good feeling of helping people in need. a Their work is not repetitive; they have a variety of responsibilities. - r They sometimes have to work nights and weekends. r For some pharmacy technicians, their income is relatively low considering the amount of responsibilities they have. r Giving out the wrong medication, or improper dosages can potentially be fatal to patients. Pharmacy technicians must be willing to take on this risk and do their work as carefully and accurately as possible.


Which is better - an EKG technician or a pharmacy technician?

The choice between becoming an EKG technician or a pharmacy technician ultimately depends on your interests, career goals, and preferred work environment. EKG technicians specialize in performing electrocardiogram tests to monitor heart activity, while pharmacy technicians focus on assisting pharmacists in dispensing medications and managing inventory. Both roles are essential in the healthcare industry, but EKG technicians may have more direct patient interaction and focus on cardiovascular health, whereas pharmacy technicians work more closely with medications and drug interactions. Consider your strengths and interests in healthcare to determine which role aligns best with your career aspirations.


What legal qualifications or licenses are required for a pharmacy technician?

It depends on the state and on the type of certification. In the USA not depending on state, one can become nationally certified. This is obtained by taking an exam, information can be found on www.ptcb.org. With this certification one might get higher positions and higher pay. According to the state, a person working in a pharmacy might have to submit an application to the state board of pharmacy and obtain a pharmacy technician license. Alabama requires licenses, but Tennessee does not. Check with the state board of pharmacy to determine this.


Pharmacy Technican: An Expanding Field?

There is a growing opportunity for people seeking work in the health sector as pharmacy technicians. The opportunities to secure employment are especially good for those with certification or prior experience. The shifts available for work are plentiful because pharmacy technicians work either in a retail setting or in a hospital or medical setting. These facilities and retail drug stores tend to be open on the evenings, weekends and holidays. The role of a pharmacy technician is to assist the licensed pharmacists with providing customer or patient care, perform administrative duties, order supplies from drug companies and prepare prescription medications. Technicians often receive the prescription, generate the label and count out the medication for the pharmacist. In retail settings, technicians are bound by state rules and regulations regarding pharmacy technicians. They interact with doctors’ offices, verifying the information is correct and begin the process of filling the prescription. Once the prescription is filled and labeled, it is given to the pharmacist for a final check before being released to the customer. Pharmacy technicians are also responsible for setting up patient files and filing insurance claims for the customer. Pharmacy technicians are not allowed to dispense information, advice or instruction to anyone. All questions must be referred to the licensed pharmacist. In a hospital or clinic setting, a pharmacy technician may have added responsibilities ranging from preparing sterile solutions, extemporaneous pre-packaging and delivery of medications for nurses to administer. In some more progressive hospitals, pharmacy technicians are part of surgical and oncology teams. They are responsible for the periodic checks of all crash carts, the tracking and storage of narcotics, and maintaining a working library of pharmaceutical journals and periodicals for the licensed pharmacists’ use. While there is no national standard for pharmacy technicians, there may be state regulations that apply. Some states require registration with their Board of Pharmacy. Check local state boards for details. If interested in applying to a technician certification program, they are generally a six month to two-year course of study. Pharmacy technician is a field of expansion and is expected to grow by 25 percent by the year 2018. The average technician makes between $12.00 and $20.00 per hour based on location and region.


What experience do you need to become a pharmacist technician?

Most pharmacy technicians are trained on-the-job, but employers favor applicants who have formal training, certification, or previous experience. Strong customer service skills also are important. Pharmacy technicians may become supervisors, may move into specialty positions or into sales, or may become Pharmacists.You can take up training programs for this field and after that, you can get your certification. If you have this kind of training and certification, a lot of employers will favor you.Although most pharmacy technicians receive informal on-the-job training, employers favor those who have completed formal training and certification. However, there are currently few State and no Federal requirements for formal training or certification of pharmacy technicians. Employers who have insufficient resources to give on-the-job training often seek formally educated pharmacy technicians. Formal education programs and certification emphasize the technician's interest in and dedication to the work. In addition to the military, some hospitals, proprietary schools, vocational or technical colleges, and community colleges offer formal education programs.Formal pharmacy technician education programs require classroom and laboratory work in a variety of areas, including medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy recordkeeping, pharmaceutical techniques, and pharmacy law and ethics. Technicians also are required to learn medication names, actions, uses, and doses. Many training programs include internships, in which students gain hands-on experience in actual pharmacies. Students receive a diploma, a certificate, or an associate's degree, depending on the program.Prospective pharmacy technicians with experience working as an aide in a community pharmacy or volunteering in a hospital may have an advantage. Employers also prefer applicants with strong customer service and communication skills, as well as those with experience managing inventories, counting tablets, measuring dosages, and using computers. Technicians entering the field need strong mathematics, spelling, and reading skills. A background in chemistry, English, and health education also may be beneficial. Some technicians are hired without formal training, but under the condition that they obtain certification within a specified period to retain their employment.The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board administers the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination. This exam is voluntary in most States and displays the competency of the individual to act as a pharmacy technician. However, more States and employers are requiring certification as reliance on pharmacy technicians grows. Eligible candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and no felony convictions, and those who pass the exam earn the title of Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). The exam is offered several times per year at various locations nationally. Employers-often pharmacists-know that individuals who pass the exam have a standardized body of knowledge and skills. Many employers also will reimburse the costs of the exam as an incentive for certification.Certified technicians must be recertified every 2 years. Technicians must complete 20 contact hours of pharmacy-related topics within the 2-year certification period to become eligible for recertification. Contact hours are awarded for on-the-job training, attending lectures, and college coursework. At least 1 contact hour must be in pharmacy law. Contact hours can be earned from several different sources, including pharmacy associations, pharmacy colleges, and pharmacy technician training programs. Up to 10 contact hours can be earned when the technician is employed under the direct supervision and instruction of a pharmacist.Successful pharmacy technicians are alert, observant, organized, dedicated, and responsible. They should be willing and able to take directions. They must be precise; details are sometimes a matter of life and death. Although a pharmacist must check and approve all their work, they should be able to work independently without constant instruction from the pharmacist. Candidates interested in becoming pharmacy technicians cannot have prior records of drug or substance abuse.Strong interpersonal and communication skills are needed because pharmacy technicians interact daily with patients, coworkers, and health care professionals. Teamwork is very important because technicians often are required to work with pharmacists, aides, and other technicians.For the source and more detailed information concerning this issue, click on the related links section indicated below.


How do I go about receiving certification for being a pharmacy technician?

A great resource is the pharmacy technician certification board website. They offer information on their programs and how to obtain certifications. I do know that many box pharmacy stores i.e.. CVS, Walgreens, etc. will pay for your certification if you work for them.


Is it hard to be a pharmacy tech?

Depending on the location of the company you work with, the difficulty of the job may vary. There are some pharmacies wherein you have to work very hard as there are a lot of people every time (like working in the city) compared to other places wherein there aren't that much people you have to work with on the daily basis (places away from the city)


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