What education and training are needed to be a pharmacy technician?
Pharmacy techs are not as strictly regulated as a nurse. You can work as a pharmacy tech without any credentials if you can find the right employer willing to train you. However, it is recommended to be competitive with other applicants to take the 6-12 month training course and certification test. Eventually, this will most likely be required, but as of now it is optional. Some pharmacy techs have on the job training, then take the certification test. With the ease of going through training and earning a certification, many people are resorting to this option as opposed to doing without. These training classes are a part of continuing education, and are relatively inexpensive for a medical-related field. Some start around 11 an hour, making anywhere up to 13 or 14 an hour depending on credentials and experience. If you want a good indicator of what people are looking for, ask your local pharmacist what kind of credentials are desirable in a pharmacy tech. With as many Walgreen’s and C
Most pharmacy technicians are trained on-the-job, but employers favor applicants who have formal training, certification, or previous experience. Strong customer service skills also are important. Pharmacy technicians may become supervisors, may move into specialty positions or into sales, or may become Pharmacists. Education and training. Although most pharmacy technicians receive informal on-the-job training, employers favor those who have completed formal training and certification. However, there are currently few State and no Federal requirements for formal training or certification of pharmacy technicians. Employers who have insufficient resources to give on-the-job training often seek formally educated pharmacy technicians. Formal education programs and certification emphasize the technician’s interest in and dedication to the work. In addition to the military, some hospitals, proprietary schools, vocational or technical colleges, and community colleges offer formal education pr
