What You Should Know About This Degree
If you’re interested in the medical field, there are similar options you could pursue. You can decide to join a program for medical assistants, dental assistants, medical records and health information technicians, or medical transcriptionists. Consider whether you’d rather work more with patients or behind the scenes in records.
Typically, most states require potential pharmacy technician students to have a high school diploma or GED. Moreover, some states or employers may need pharmacy technicians to be certified. In that context, only two organizations, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), can provide certification.
The employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow by 4% by 2029. As members of the general population continue aging, the dependence on prescription medications will eventually increase, leading to an increased need for pharmacy technicians.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online pharmacy technician training programs:
- How long does it take to complete this program? How long it takes to get certified as a professional pharmacy technician may vary depending on your employer’s requirements. However, most programs award a certificate after one year of study. Some training programs may last longer, leading to an advanced degree.
- Am I eligible for this program? You will likely need a high school diploma or GED to qualify for an on-the-job training program. You may also be eligible if you’ve completed a post-secondary education program in pharmacy technology. However, the typical process of becoming a pharmacy technician involves passing an exam or completing a training program for your formal education.
As you look for a pharmacy technician training program, remember to keep track of all the deadlines and materials needed for application and financial aid.