As of 2013, the median salary for pharmacy assistants was $22,580, or an hourly rate of $11-$14. [2] X Research source
Previous customer service is a big asset for this position, as you will be working directly with patients to give them their prescriptions.
You will need to be at least 18 years of age to work at a pharmacy. Employment for pharmacy aides is growing every year, as pharmacies are always looking for capable, efficient assistants who work well with people. Job opportunities for pharmacy technicians, who are trained to assist pharmacists in dispensing medications, are also growing rapidly every year. So you may decide you want to pursue a formal technician training program and become a pharmacy technician.
You should also list your high school diploma and any other education you have received.
Your demographic information, including your social security number. Your medical history, such as any medical conditions you suffer from or any past use of drugs or alcohol. Your criminal history, if any. Any medical certifications or licenses you hold.
You will need to count and measure medication and manage the inventory of the pharmacy. You will also need to complete pharmaceutical dosage forms on a full or part time basis. As of 2012, the median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $29,320. Employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 20 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than average for most occupations.
Many colleges and websites offer online pharmacy technician programs. This will allow you to keep your current job and study at your own pace. During the training program, you will learn the names of drugs and their uses, how to dispense medications and how to determine correct dosages. You may also learn customer service skills, record keeping skills, and ethics.
You will need to be at least 18 years of age to become a pharmacy technician. Check that the training program at the pharmacy is designed to prepare you for the PTCE exam. PTCE certification will be required if you want to work at another pharmacy in the future.
The PTCE was developed by experts in the pharmacy technician practice and asks questions on pharmacy laws and regulations, medication safety, and pharmacy inventory management, among other topics. There are several practice tests available online to prepare you for the actual exam. You can also complete PTCE practice questions to give you a sense of what to expect from the exam.
A high school diploma or equivalent educational diploma like a GED or foreign diploma. Compliance with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s policies. Full disclosure of all criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions. This means you have a clean criminal record and follow the PTCB’s Code of Conduct. [10] X Research source Once you have completed all these requirements, you can apply to be certified online and take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). [11] X Research source The cost to apply for certification and take the PTCE exam is $129. Candidates who successfully apply will schedule an exam appointment, and once they receive a passing grade, will be considered certified.
You can also look at online job sites for any open positions. Network by letting your college or training course instructors know you are looking for a position as a certified pharmacy technician. You may want to also consider applying to a wide range of companies and organizations. As a licensed pharmacist, you can work in a hospital, a community pharmacy, an outpatient clinic, a nursing home, or a pharmaceutical organization. You are also eligible to work at pharmacies across the United States.
Many pharmacists work in community pharmacies in drug stores or grocery stores. But they can also work in hospitals and clinics. Becoming a pharmacist takes years of education and training. Aspiring pharmacists can spend between six years (fast-track) to thirteen years completing pre-requisites, Pharm. D coursework, clinical rotations, and exams. So be prepared to devote a lot of time, effort, and energy into this career. [14] X Research source As of 2012, the median annual wage for pharmacists was $116,000.
You can also get your GED or equivalent educational degree.
Look for schools that offer a pre-pharmacy program. If you are currently an undergraduate student, talk to your guidance counselor about possible pre-pharmacy programs in your state or country. Pre-pharmacy programs prepares you for admission into a pharmacy program. The focus in these programs is boasting your grades in math, biology, and chemistry. Getting good grades in a pre-pharmacy can help you get into a better pharmacy program. There are databases of pre-pharmacy schools where you can filter them by state, annual tuition costs, and college type (public or private). [16] X Research source It may also be helpful to do an online search of the pre-pharmacy programs you are looking at applying to, and reading any forum posts by previous or current students in that program. [17] X Research source
You can prepare for the test by studying the PCAT handbook and guidelines. You can also take a PCAT preparatory class or hire a private tutor to help you study. Not all pharmacy schools require you to take the PCAT. But more than 75 percent of all pharmacy programs require applicants to submit scores for the PCAT. [19] X Research source Check with the schools you plan to apply to and note if the PCAT is listed in their admission requirements. The minimum PCAT scores will vary from institution to institution. Check the requirements of the institution to determine the PCAT score needed to apply. [20] X Research source
If you have a busy schedule or a current career, you can take pharmacy school online. A list of the top pharmacy schools in the U. S. , as of 2012, can be found here: http://grad-schools. usnews. rankingsandreviews. com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/pharmacy-rankings. The top five schools were University of California - San Francisco, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, University of Minnesota, University of Texas - Austin, and University of Kentucky. Your first year in the Pharm. D program focuses on the fundamentals of the trade. You will learn about reading and using dosage forms, pharmacy law and ethics and patient counseling. The second and third years focus on advanced principles like institutional pharmacy, pharmacotherapy and health management. You will also home in on a pharmaceutical speciality and think about where you would like to work after graduation and exams. Year four is all about practice experience. You will perform clinical rotations to put your knowledge and experience to use. This includes interacting with patients, recommending medications, and guiding administrative staff to better support customers and the community.
In some states, students must pass a Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE). Graduates of pharmacy schools not in the U. S. or outlying territories must pass the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) Certification. If you fail the NAPLEX, or one of the other required exams, you can apply to retake it. However, some states have a limit on the number of times you can retake a test or other requirements. For example, in California, if you fail the California Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination four times, you’ll need to complete additional educational training before taking the test again.
The demand for pharmacists is going up in settings like hospitals and clinics, so look for positions in these settings. Talk to your professors in your Pharm. D program and don’t be afraid to network among your colleagues and recent graduates of your program. With higher demand for pharmacists, the competition for good pharmacy positions has also increased. Students who complete a residency program may improve their job prospects. Certification from the Board of Pharmacy Specialties also looks good to potential employers. [24] X Trustworthy Source US Bureau of Labor Statistics U. S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related information Go to source
