How To Become A Pharmacy Technician?

If you are looking for a career that is always in demand, pharmacy technician may be the perfect choice.

Pharmacy technicians work with patients to help them understand their medications and provide information on how to take them properly.

They also answer questions about pharmacy procedures and policies, manage pharmacy inventory, and maintain pharmacy records.

If this sounds like something you would enjoy doing every day, read on to learn more about the process of becoming a pharmacy technician!

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How To Become A Pharmacy Technician?

What Does a Pharmacy Tech Do?

For pharmacy technicians, the main responsibility is making sure that customers get the medications they need.

Pharmacy techs also have a hand in managing pharmacy inventory and maintaining pharmacy records.

Some of the more common duties for a pharmacy technician include :

• Answering questions about pharmacy procedures and policies
• Explaining how to take medications properly
• Stocking shelves with prescription medication, over the counter drugs (otc), or other supplies needed for pharmacy functions
• Processing insurance information required for certain prescriptions
• Counting pills in stock and recording results into pharmacy records via computer system or manual counts on worksheets.

What Does it Take to Become a Pharmacy Tech?

A high school diploma from an accredited public or private high school is more than enough if you plan on going straight into training at your local community college.

The community college programs offer pharmacy technician associate degrees, which typically take two years to complete, although here at Northwest Career College, you can graduate in as little as nine months with our accelerated program!

Depending on the state you are in, pharmacy technicians might need to be certified by passing a pharmacy technician exam regulated and administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCb).

The PTCb is an independent agency that administers pharmacy technician certification exams on behalf of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) at testing centers nationwide.

What Is the Average Pharmacy Technician Salary?

A pharmacy tech salary can vary from $30,000 up to about 40k per year with benefits included for full-time employees working in pharmacies or hospitals.

The additional benefits include: medical insurance, dental insurance, vision care, tuition reimbursement plan and retirement savings plans such as 401Ks and 403Bs.

According to the U.S Department of Labor, Bureau of Statistics (BLS), pharmacy technicians can expect their salaries to increase at a rate of 15 percent until 2022.

Is Becoming a Pharmacy Technician a Good Career?

Yes, there are a lot of benefits to training as a pharmacy technician.

For example, pharmacy techs are in high demand. There is also a fast-growing rate of pharmacy technician jobs available with the aging population and the need for advanced medical care.

It’s estimated that there will be over 40,000 new pharmacy tech jobs by 2022 according to the U.S Department of Labor, Bureau of Statistics (BLS).

There is also good job satisfaction in becoming a pharmacy tech. Pharmacy technicians are responsible for preparing medications, which people of all ages need to live healthy lives, meaning it’s a vital role in any community.

They also serve an important role in patient safety by providing counseling on the use and side effects of prescription drugs.

When it comes to balancing your work and private life, working as a pharmacy technician offers a level of flexibility. Many pharmacy technicians work full-time hours but some choose to go part-time due to family or other commitments – it’s up to you!

Start Your New Career As A Pharmacy Technician Now!

Northwest Career College is one of the premier pharmacy technician schools in Las Vegas. Our course provides our students with the skills and training they need to take advantage of the growing need for pharmacy technicians. 

Our experienced instructors offer online and on-campus classes to accommodate your Las Vegas work and family schedule. 

Once you’ve graduated, we continue to support you, and the commitment of our Career Services Team has led to us having a 100% job placement rate for our pharmacy technician graduates. Call us today at (702) 403-1592 to speak to one of our enrollment specialists.