INTRODUCTION
A pharmacy technician works with a pharmacist and assists in the verification of prescriptions, the preparation of patient medication, and handling many of the everyday operations that take place in a pharmacy. It is therefore essential that a pharmacy technician has the right educational qualifications.
One of the main Pharmacy Technician Education Requirements is certification from the state board of pharmacy. There are a few positions that will provide training on the job; however, technical and community colleges are the main institutions for the training of pharmacy technicians. In addition to the education requirements, an individual wishing to get into the field should also possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
A high school student wishing to enroll on a pharmacy technician program should have received good grades in the subjects of math’s and biology. If not they will need to study them as prerequisite courses in college. It is also recommended that students have good keyboard skills.
The Pharmacy Technician Program will require that you take courses in subjects such as drug therapy, biology, biochemistry, medical terminology, chemistry, as well as classes related to the business side of pharmacy, including inventory and record keeping.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
The certificate programs in each state will vary; however, they are a lot more widespread than degree programs. Some of the certificate programs only last between three and four months. There are some that are several semesters in length. Some colleges require that you complete a minimum amount of study hours over three semesters. There is also a fast track certificate program lasting 23 weeks; this course requires 15 weeks of study in a laboratory, and eight weeks taking hands on practical work on an internship. The eight weeks will be split into four weeks in an institutional pharmacy and four weeks in a community pharmacy.
DEGREE PROGRAMS
While it is most common to study for a certificate program to become a Pharmacy Technician, there are a number of degree programs across the country. The Foothill College in California offers a program both preparing students to become pharmacy technicians, as well as giving them the option to transfer over to a four year university or college. The course offered is a two year associate degree.
The North Seattle Community College in the state of Washington offers a course requiring 90 quarter hours, which comprise of the requirements for a certificate as well as the general courses necessary for a degree. The course offered is an Associate of Applied Science.
CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Each state will have different requirements for the continued education of a pharmacy technician. In service training is 10 hours long. This takes up half out of the 20 hours required for continued education every two years. The continued education should be held under the supervision of a pharmacist supervisor. In service training should not consist of your normal working duties, the pharmacist is to assign special training projects in order to enhance the personal improvement of the certified technician.
These are the basic Pharmacy Technician Education Requirements.