A Pharmacy Technician Certification Helpful for those Pursuing a Career as a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians don’t necessarily have to have a pharmacy technician certification to find jobs in all states, but most employers are going to given much stronger consideration to those who have acquired one. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) develops, maintains, promotes and administers a high-quality certification and recertification program for pharmacy technicians. A pharmacy technician certification can set you on the path toward a stable and rewarding career and put you in position to get most pharmacy technician jobs that become available. Certified technicians are the primary aid of pharmacists, as they can also manage the patients and their prescriptions without complications.
Both the PTCB in Washington, D.C., and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians administer national certification examinations. The PTCB states that “by demonstrating mastery of knowledge and skills through the PTCB certification, pharmacy technicians are able to work more effectively with pharmacists.”
Once certified, pharmacy technicians must be recertified every two years. Recertification requires 20 hours of continuing education within that two-year time frame, and at least one of those 20 hours must be in pharmacy law. Those partaking in continuing education can earn their hours from several different sources, including colleges, pharmacy associations and pharmacy technician training programs.
Those who hold pharmacy technician jobs work hand in hand with the pharmacists and must learn to be confidently independent. They must also have strong customer service skills and may eventually become supervisors or even move into sales positions.
