Education And Training
To become a pharmacy technician it is required to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. The duties and responsibilities that the pharmacy technicians have can be learned during the job training. The period of training can vary and it’s according to the employer’s requirements. But there is also a post secondary formal program in pharmacy technology that requires passing an exam. These programs are offered by community colleges or schools. The period to obtain a certificate from this program is approximately one year or less than one year, but there are some associate’s programs that require longer period. The technicians in these programs learn the dosages, uses and names of medications. Most of the programs include clinical experience in pharmacy. Most states require the pharmacy technician to have a license and certificate, or sometimes even the employer can pay for the technician to take the certification exam. After passing the exam and gaining certificate, they must take continuing education courses to recertify. Some states don’t require certification, but they have other regulating norms like paying fees or other exams and training programs. Sometimes completing an internship in pharmacy is also required by the employer, or as a part of the educational training.
Working environment
They can work usually in hospitals, pharmacies, drug store or community retail, but they can sometimes work in a long-term care facilities or even pharmaceutical manufacturers. They work full time. Their job includes night shifts, working weekends or holidays; their schedule is depending on the pharmacies open hours, or the employer’s schedule. They can work in a pharmacy team or with other pharmacy technicians.
