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how good is pharmacy tec?

how long will pharmacy tec take to finish?

medicine pharmacy
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Czarina’s Answer

Hey there! The requirements can vary based on your location. As far as I know, becoming certified typically involves taking a few courses that prepare you for the PTCB exam. In my area, there's a short class you can attend for a few weeks, and then you'll be all set for the test. Alternatively, you can pursue a diploma or an AAS degree, which takes about 1-2 years to complete. One advantage of choosing a 2-year Pharmacy Technician program is that you'll 100% have a job after graduating, thanks to the clinical hours and experience you've gained.

Czarina recommends the following next steps:

Consult with community colleges to see what options they have for Pharmacy Tech
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Jonathan’s Answer

Start by contacting the State Board of Pharmacy in your state. Every state has different licensing requirements for technicians. There is a push to be formally trained (attended classes) by an ASHP accredited program. Certain states are adopting this training requirement. PTCB is the "gold" standard for pharmacy technicians. It was developed by a collaboration between hospital pharmacists in Illinois and Michigan so the questions on the PTCB certification exam are geared toward hospital practice - which is why retail technicians struggle with the exam and retail pharmacies pushed the PTCB to create a retail version.

Learning is associative. The best way to learn is by doing. The best place to learn is an actual hospital pharmacy. If you are able to find a program that divides your time between classroom and actually doing the work, you will pick up the concepts much quicker than you would by merely sitting in a classroom. After you have contacted the State Board of Pharmacy for your state, contact several hospital pharmacy managers. Explain that you want to train to become a pharmacy technician. Ask if they have a recommendation for a training program or if they are willing to train you.

Some high schools offer basic programs their their vocational-technical (vo-tech) department. Community colleges offer training programs for pharmacy technicians. It might be prudent to get certified first and land a job a pharm tech and then go back and complete an associates degree in pharmacy technology. There are programs that are taught online. Again check with the Board of Pharmacy in your state and ask for their input/recommendation. Programs range in length of study from a few weeks up to a year. The associates degree referenced above is two years. Pay for an LPN who has trained for one year starts at $25 per hour and goes up from there. Pay for a similarly trained pharmacy technician starts as $15 per hour and goes up very slowly. Although if Oregon pharm techs are unionized, the pay could be higher but the Union dues could steal as much money as the Federal Government in taxes.
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samantha’s Answer

There are many programs available in which you will be prepared to test for the PTCE. They can range anywhere from 6 to 9 months. There is also a newer option where you can receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in Pharmacy Technology. It is a two year program.
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Jonathan’s Answer

Start by contacting the State Board of Pharmacy in your state. Every state has different licensing requirements for technicians. There is a push to be formally trained (attended classes) by an ASHP accredited program. Certain states are adopting this training requirement. PTCB is the "gold" standard for pharmacy technicians. It was developed by a collaboration between hospital pharmacists in Illinois and Michigan so the questions on the PTCB certification exam are geared toward hospital practice - which is why retail technicians struggle with the exam and retail pharmacies pushed the PTCB to create a retail version. Learning is associative. The best way to learn is by doing. The best place to learn is an actual hospital pharmacy. If you are able to find a program that divides your time between classroom and actually doing the work, you will pick up the concepts much quicker than you would by merely sitting in a classroom. After you have contacted the State Board of Pharmacy for your state, contact several hospital pharmacy managers. Explain that you want to train to become a pharmacy technician. Ask if they have a recommendation for a training program or if they are willing to train you.
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Kiffany’s Answer

There are many pharmacy technician programs you can join, each taking its own amount of time. Anywhere from a few months to a year, depending on the program you choose. I got my training in the Air Force, a four-month program with daily in-class participation. I know you can join through Pima Medical Institute, community colleges, online options, etc.
It really depends on your preferences. There are many different ways to achieve this. I highly recommend doing a full-time physical classroom training program. You learn so much through hands-on.

I have been a pharmacy technician for 25 years and love my job. There are so many job options available and you can find one that is truly rewarding:)

Kiffany recommends the following next steps:

Google pharmacy technician programs and do a comparison.
Check out PTCB.org to learn about credentialing.
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Bethany’s Answer

Becoming a pharmacy technician is within your reach, and there are numerous paths to get there! In many states, you don't even need any prior training or special qualifications to kickstart your career in this field. Once you land a job, your employer will likely support you in securing your license to practice. To give yourself an edge in the job market, consider obtaining a national certification from the PTCB (you can find more details about this on the internet). If this piques your interest, you'll need to complete a PTCB-approved course before you're eligible to take the certification exam. The duration of these courses varies depending on whether they're conducted in-person or online, among other factors. I personally opted for an online Pharmacy Technicians course, which allowed me to learn at my own speed!
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