What is a Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online?

If you had to pick a century to be sick or injured, the 21st Century would undoubtedly make it to the top of the list. That is because this century has amassed an impressive record of modern advances in healthcare, technology, and medicine such that doctors of the past century would likely be blown away. There have never been more opportunities available to diagnose and remedy a wide variety of illness. One important component of the multifaceted healthcare field is its advances in pharmaceutical science. Whether it is antibiotics to recover from invasive surgical procedures, to painkillers that manage chronic symptoms — drugs are now available in increasing varieties and strengths.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for pharmacy technicians and aides are projected to grow a 25 percent through 2018*; roles such as pharmacy technicians, pharmacists, pharmacy aides, pharmaceutical researchers and college-level pharmacy professors are all united in this industry. While practicing pharmacists must earn a Pharm.D. Degree (awarded after at least two years of professional study of pharmacology and pharmacy practices), pharmacology & pharmacy certificate programs online could provide current pharmacy practitioners with an efficient edge. That includes those who aspire to entry-level positions, like pharmacy technicians and pharmacy aides.

The job literally keeps pharmacy professionals on their feet, which is why enrolling in a multimedia-based online pharmacy certificate program could be an optimal choice for busy students. Whether your goal is to gain experience for an entry-level pharmacy job or develop a deeper concentration, curriculum is designed so you could explore the tools and techniques of pharmacy. Explore the knowledge and on-the-field duties required, through a two-pronged approach: The technical methodology of accurately dispensing drugs and the interpersonal art of guiding patients towards optimal health. Pharmacy technician certificate online coursework varies, but often includes topics like pharmacology, pharmacy administration, professional communication, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, public health concepts, medical distribution systems management, biology, physics and professional ethics. Some pharmacy technician certificate online courses could prepare students to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam.

Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online

The main role of pharmacy technicians is to help licensed pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or other health professionals.

Some duties that pharmacy technicians may perform include[ii]:

  • Measuring amounts of medication for prescriptions
  • Taking info needed to fill prescriptions
  • Packaging and labelling drugs
  • Organizing inventory and alerting pharmacists to shortages
  • Accepting payment and processing insurance claims
  • Answering phone calls from customers

Pharmacy technicians who work in hospitals or other medical facilities may prepare a greater variety of medications and make rounds in the hospital to administer medication to patients.

Median annual salary: $29,320[iii]

Job outlook, 2012-22: 20% growth (faster than average)[iii]

 

Pharmacy Technicians

The main role of pharmacy technicians is to help licensed pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or other health professionals.

Some duties that pharmacy technicians may perform include[ii]:

  • Measuring amounts of medication for prescriptions

  • Taking info needed to fill prescriptions

  • Packaging and labelling drugs

  • Organizing inventory and alerting pharmacists to shortages

  • Accepting payment and processing insurance claims

  • Answering phone calls from customers

Pharmacy technicians who work in hospitals or other medical facilities may prepare a greater variety of medications and make rounds in the hospital to administer medication to patients.

Median annual salary: $29,320[iii]

Job outlook, 2012-22: 20% growth (faster than average)[iii]

* The preceding information was obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) online resource, "Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition," available at: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos325.htm


[i]bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm#tab-4 [ii] bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm#tab-2 [iii] bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm