Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Qualifications And Training For Pharmacy Technician

By Gwenda Snair


Becoming a pharmacy technician requires a commitment to acquiring a specialized skill. Working closely with pharmacists as well as with patients on a daily basis can make choosing a career as a pharmacy tech both challenging and rewarding.

Most states and employers require their technicians to hold a national pharmacy technician training certificate. This qualifies you as a CPhT, in other words, a Certified Pharmacy Technician. You must pass certain examinations to earn this certificate and receive your professional license. Your certificate will show potential, interested employers that you have the necessary skills to work with a pharmacist, manage medicines as well as the daily fare that visit a pharmacy.

Most states will require a licensed pharmacy technician to be recertified every two years to continually refresh your skills in the pharmacy. Employers generally look for individuals with proper certifications as these documents signify a level of competency and skill.

Pharmacy technicians are required in a variety of places from hospitals and health clinics to nursing homes. Retail pharmacy is also an area that you can find work in. Being a pharmacy technician as a career choice requires a certain level of responsibility, as an understanding about a patient's health issues is important in administering the right medication.

Work as a pharmacy technician can be financially rewarding especially if you've amassed some relevant work experience. Because most technicians are paid by the hour, a higher per hour rate is earned in the evenings and weekends. Pay will vary from state to state and location to location. Those with more work experience may also be offered more than the less experienced pharmacy technician.

If you're looking at becoming pharmacy technician as career, there are certain qualities that a good technician should possess. First of all, they should be good communicators because patients need to have clear understanding of their instructions in taking their medication as well as any side effects that they may be at risk of. Other qualities include being alert, organized, efficient and committed to doing their job well. Attention to detail is key in dispensing medication.

A pharmacy technician is not only required to prepare and dispense medicines but is also responsible to advise patients about their diet and health. Because of this, it is important to always keep aware of the latest in medicine developments. Working closely with other technicians, pharmacists and pharmacy aids, a pharmacy technician must be able to and willing to work as a team.

One of the main responsibilities as a pharmacy technician is to measure, count and weigh medicine dosages prescribed by the doctor, as well as keep track of the movement and stock of drugs carried. All prescriptions must be prepared with perfect accuracy.

With the advancement of science and modern medicine, it is highly likely that the demand for pharmacy tech will continue to increase. The unique skills attained by making becoming a pharmacy technician as a career choice will ensure stability as well as embarking on a rewarding and fulfilling profession.




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