Certification
Many States require pharmacy technicians to pass an exam before practicing in the field. Certification such as the Certified Pharmacy Technician or CPhT is given after passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam or PTCE.
This also requires the completion of on-the-job training hours, the number of which depends largely on the program.
Pharmacy Technician Program
Programs are usually comprised of 4 semesters or 2 years. In order to apply for pharmacy technician education, individuals must at least be a graduate of high school.
The subjects are primarily concerned with pharmacology, health care, dispensing, and pharmacy management. However, there are also subjects with regards to business ethics and the use of computers which would be required in the job.
Academic Requirements
As mentioned, applicants of pharmacy technician education must have finished at least their secondary education. Some institutions however, have grade requirements for an individual to pass. Some of the subjects with minimum grade requirements include Science and Mathematics.
English proficiency tests may also be required of some applicants since pharmacology requires an in-depth understanding of the English language.
Tuition varies from one school to another, but the average tuition ranges from $2,000 to $3,000, depending on the status of the school and the extent of the teaching.
Scholarships
There are scholarships for aspiring pharmacy technician students, but it might take some time before an aspiring student can find one. Typically, the scholarship comes directly from the school, if the student meets certain grade averages that will qualify them for a full scholarship, or a reduced amount in their payments.
Other scholarships that students may get are general in character. This means that the scholarship may apply to all post-secondary courses, as long as the person applying meets certain criteria required by the program. Hence, one can find scholarships online that would meet their personal situation and apply for those in your pharmacy technician course.
What Program to Choose?
Since there are so many programs available today, students have the chance to evaluate and compare before actually making their choice. Some of the factors to consider would be:
* The tuition and the existence of any scholarships if any. * The reputation of the school when it comes to pharmacy technicians. Look for schools with a high employment rate for their graduates. * A School that can connect the student with jobs after graduating is also a plus. Some schools make deals with companies that accept OJT students, eventually turning them into full time employees after graduating. * Take a look at the schools certification for teaching pharmacy technicians. The quality of their instructors should also be considered.
Of course, practical factors should also be taken into account. For example: how far is the school from the students home? Would they need to board in order to take the course? There are some programs that can be taken online, although some of them may not be entirely legitimate. Check thoroughly before enrolling in an online course.
