Obtaining a college degree can give pharmacy tech cnadidates a leg up on the competition.
Pharmacy technicians work under the direction of licensed pharmacists and perform many of the duties normally associated with a pharmacist. Pharmacy techs may work in drug store pharmacies, grocery store pharmacies, hospitals or other health care environments. Once properly trained, pharmacy techs interpret and fill prescriptions and interact with physicians' offices to verify prescription information, ensuring that proper medications are being provided. They also may deal with insurance carriers to check on patients' medical coverage. Pharmacy techs may compound drugs, input data into a database and perform administrative duties. Though a degree is not required to become a pharmacy tech, having one can lead to better pay and opportunities.
Diploma/Certificate
Some pharmacy techs have no formal training other than on-the-job experience acquired through hands-on work. Older pharmacy technicians are more likely to fall into this category, but hospitals and physician offices more and more require some type of formal training for pharmacy techs. Certificate and diploma programs are available at many community colleges, vocational schools and professional institutes. These programs provide basic pharmacy tech skills, including classroom and hands-on training. Most programs last a year or less and result in a diploma or certificate. Such training programs serve two purposes: they prepare pharmacy tech hopefuls for any credentialing tests they may take, and they provide potential employers with solid evidence of a candidate's dedication and preparedness for a pharmacy technician position. Many employers will hire people who possess a certificate or diploma with the caveat that the person take and pass a certification exam.
Associate's Degree
Associate's degree programs are becoming increasingly popular among aspiring pharmacy technicians. Programs can be specific to pharmacy or may consist of more generic medical technologist curricula. The growing need for pharmacy technicians has made the field highly competitive, and an associate's degree gives candidates a leg up on the competition. Aside from a general liberal arts curriculum, pharmacy tech course work includes classes in general science, biology, chemistry, anatomy, medical terminology, computer literacy and applicable software use, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy operations, pharmacy inventory management, human relations and social skills, psychology, and medical law and ethics. Clinical skills also are taught, including pharmacy procedure techniques and pharmacy equipment skills. Having an associate's degree makes a candidate more attractive to potential employers, better prepares students for certification exams, and positions applicants for higher salaries, especially entry-level pay rates.
Certification
No matter what type of training a pharmacy tech receives, certification is almost a must. Most employers insist on candidates being certified or at least being trained to the point where they're ready to complete a certification exam. Two national organizations offer certification exams for pharmacy technicians, each resulting in the title of certified pharmacy technician (CPhT). The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) offers a 90-question exam. You must schedule a date for the test and pay a fee. The Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT) also offers a certification exam. Some states don't require certification at all. Others require certification by one or the other certification boards, while a few states require certification by both organizations.
Outlook/Salary
Projections for job growth for pharmacy technicians are excellent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A 31 percent rate of growth is expected for pharmacy techs through 2018 -- well above the national average (7 to 13 percent) for all occupations. The Labor Bureau also predicts that pharmacy techs with certifications and college degrees can expect even better job-search prospects. Pharmacy techs had a median wage of $13.32 per hour in 2008. The middle 50 percent earned $10.95 to $15.88 an hour, and the bottom 10th percentile made less than $9.27. The upper 10 percent earned nearly $19 per hour.
