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Pharmacy Technician Training Programs: A Popular Occupation Within the Healthcare Industry

By Pamela S Upshur

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 21Feb2012 Word count: 557 Viewed: 28 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Pharmacy technician training programs seek to facilitate and to enhance the skills and knowledge of a popular occupation within the healthcare industry. The programs are an up-to-date resource for learners as well as professionals. Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of licensed pharmacists.

Pharmacy technicians perform several tasks concerned with administering and dispensing prescription medications for patients. In addition, they undertake compounding of medications, offer advice for non- prescription medications, track medication inventory and supply orders. They also perform the duty of following up on payments, counsel patients on use of medications, routine clerical duties and oversee the operations of the dispensary.

Pharmacy technician training and certification:

Pharmacy technician employment is expected to grow over the next decade, and this offers the ideal opportunities for individuals wishing to pursue a career within the health sector. Pharmacy technician training programs are facilitated through technical colleges, military, proprietary schools, some hospitals, online and correspondence schools. Although the professional requirements vary across the states, credible pharmacy technician training programs are recommended.

Generally, a high school diploma is required to become eligible for training as a pharmacy technician. Finding the right pharmacy technician training program guarantees individuals the chance of learning about the certifications and the registration in order to enhance employability and career advancement.

In order to become a pharmacy technician the successful completion of several months training is recommended. This training can be obtained from approved schools for the pharmacy technician. The training depends on the program on offer and can take a span of between 6 and 24 months. The majority of programs combine classroom lectures, laboratory sessions and externship experience.

Typical pharmacy technician training programs include pharmacology, chemistry, dosage forms, dosage calculations, pharmaceutical terminology, drug reactions, pharmacy law, drug preparation, pharmacy record keeping, interpreting prescriptions and compounding of prescribed medicines. Towards the end of the program learners may be required to participate in an externship; within this setting, they will be expected to employ the knowledge acquired within a practical setting such as a retail or hospital pharmacy. During this period, they conduct their duties under the supervision of manager or pharmacist who reports the performance of the learner to the instructors.

After the successful completion of the pharmacy technician training programs, learners can become certified upon the successful undertaking of examinations from either the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT) or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). The certification offers learners a distinct advantage in finding a job. Furthermore, experienced pharmacist can exploit the certification program in order to grant them an opportunity for advancing their qualifications into becoming licensed pharmacists.

The professional concerns:

The pharmacy technicians perform several jobs, including the provision of prescription medication and other healthcare devices & products. They also work in the doctor's office as well as insurance companies. Although the job entails light responsibilities sometimes the pharmacy technician may be expected to stand for long hours, lifting and carrying boxes filled with medication.

The pharmacy technician training programs seek to enhance the knowledge required in handling medicines, gaining an understanding of the business environment and improving the interactive skills of the learners.

This is a booming occupation in the healthcare field that is expected to grow. Learn how you can get started in this rapidly growing field, today.

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