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Why Become a Certified Pharmacy Technician?
Why Become a Certified Pharmacy Technician?
Are you contemplating becoming a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT)? If so, check out the reasons why getting this credential can be essential to pursuing or advancing your career as a pharmacy technician.
Quality Indicator
Some states require certification, and some do not. However, whether or not you need to be certified to work in your state is immaterial, because certification is about so much more than entrance into your profession—it's a very clear way to demonstrate to employers, customers, and peers that your professional knowledge and skills meet nationally recognized standards.
You can become certified through several professional organizations, including the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). This organization requires you pass a written examination before certification is awarded.
Increased Job Prospects
The employment rate for pharmacy technicians is expected to increase 31 percent by 2018.* What's also interesting about this promising number is that, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes, "job prospects are expected to be good, especially for those who are certified."
Essentially, adding a CPhT designation to your resume can mean having an advantage in the job market when it comes to finding a job, commanding a higher salary, and being considered for promotions.
Contribution to Patient Care
Another important reason to consider certifying is because of the effect it can have on the quality of patient care you provide. As a pharmacy technician, one of your main duties is to prepare prescription medications under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. These medications are critical to the management of a vast array of conditions, and staying on top of the latest technological advances in pharmaceuticals can prove critical to how well you serve your customers.
Once you become a certified pharmacy technician, you will be expected to re-certify every two years. This ensures a career-long commitment to learning, because in order to gain re-certification, you must complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education, and pass a written exam. This continued learning can facilitate the extended pharmaceutical knowledge that will prove valuable to your patients.
Get Ready to Become Certified
You can choose to prepare for the certification examination in one of two ways—on your own with study material you've purchased from the certifying organization, or through a pharmacy technician program at an accredited school.
Pharmacy technician programs typically range from six months to two years, depending on which level of education you pursue (certificate, diploma, or associate's degree). Through classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory experience, you can learn everything from pharmaceutical calculations, terminology, and recordkeeping to the laws and ethics related to the pharmacy technology field. Many of these programs also include internships in professional pharmacies, which provide you with a valuable opportunity to practice your skills, and network with potential employers.
If you're considering obtaining your training through a program, look for one that prepares you to take the certification examination. One of the best places to look for such a program is in this guide to certified pharmacy technician schools. Browse the list of schools and programs, find the one that's right for you, and take the first step toward a rewarding new career today!
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, web site accessed on Nov. 12, 2010.
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