Pharmacy Technicians are in demand right now, which means that you have decided to join a booming industry which pays a very good salary. If you want to know how to become a Pharmacy Technician, this article will give you a step-by-step guide to doing just that.
Before you find out how to become one though, you need to know exactly why most people struggle to get a job as a Pharmacy Tech so that you can avoid the same fate!
Why Most People Don’t Get a Good Pharmacy Technician Job
Training and certifications for becoming a Pharmacy Technician is unstructured at best and many Tech’s don’t have to go through any formal training to do the job. Instead of going through Pharmacy Technician courses, they get trained on the job instead, learning directly with the Pharmacist.
So why do most people fail to get a well paid Pharmacy Tech job? Well, first of all, most Pharmacists do not have the time to train their Tech’s on the job. This means that if you haven’t undergone any formal training before applying, you are much less likely to get a good job, if any job at all.
Instead, the job goes to the person who has been through a proper Pharmacy Technician course. This shows the Pharmacist that you have already experienced the job and they have to spend less time training you.
If you haven’t gone through any courses (and you really should if you are serious) then you may still get a job, but your pay will be substantially lower because you have to learn as you go. Training you takes time and money and this is why many Tech’s without a Pharmacy education get paid a lot less.
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician — The Right Way
The very best way to become a Pharmacy Technician is — you guessed it — to take a course at a college or school. There are two types of Pharmacy Technician Certifications: The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians. You’ll also need a GED diploma to apply.
Certifications are not required, but if you want to earn the best Pharmacy Technician salary possible, then I strongly advise you to spend a little time and money on your Pharmacy Tech education.
The certification requires a number of education hours and a final exam that will put you right to the top of the list of potential new employees.
Think about it. If you were recruiting and you had a candidate with no training or experience (which is most people) and a candidate who already knows how to do the job and has a fancy certificate to prove it: which one would you choose?
Finding the Right Pharmacy Technician School
It all depends on your individual circumstances which school is right for you and your learning. In the end, it comes down to three main factors:
- Your schedule. You need to pick a class which fits into your daily life.
- Your budget. Different schools have different costs that you need to be aware of.
- Quality of the course. Not all Pharmacy Tech courses are made equal – so choose wisely.
One of the best places to start your quest to become a Pharmacy Technician is by visiting Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. You can find a local test centre and apply for your certification online.
So, now you know how to become a Pharmacy Technician, the only thing left to do is get out there and do it.