How to become a Pharmacy Technician: Your Detailed Guide

If pursuing a career in the healthcare industry is something that excites you, but you don’t want to spend year after year studying or training?

Then working as a pharmacy technician could be the ideal career for you.

And with an aging population, growing healthcare needs, and workforce shortages, the need for medication and pharmaceutical services is the highest it’s ever been.

So, if you’re wondering, how do I become a pharmacy technician? What’s the first step I need to take? Are there certain requirements I need to meet?

All of this will be answered in this blog.

That being said, here’s all you need to know about becoming a pharmacy tech.

What does a pharmacy technician do?

Before we dive into the details of how you can become a pharmacy technician, let’s first learn what pharmacy techs actually do.

Pharmacy technicians are quite important, if not, crucial players in the healthcare system. They assist pharmacists with a variety of tasks, including:

• Filling prescriptions: Pharmacy techs prepare medication orders, making sure the dosage is correct and the necessary instructions are included.
• Patient care:They may take patient information, answer questions, and offer advice on over-the-counter medications.
• Managing inventory:: Keeping track of medications, ordering and disposing of unnecessary supplies, and making sure the pharmacy stays stocked.
• Performing everyday pharmacutical tasks: Handling things like patient records, billing, and insurance claims.

The role can vary depending on where you work AKA the setting. For instance, whether you work in a hospital, retail pharmacy, or even a research lab, but the main goal is always to assist pharmacists and provide quality care to patients.

How to Become a Pharmacy Technician: Step-by-Step

Now that you know what pharmacy technicians do, let's break down the process of how to become a pharmacy technician into clear steps. While some paths may differ, the general process is fairly standard.

1. Meet basic requirements

Before diving into education or training, you’ll need to make sure you meet a few basic requirements:

• Age: Most states require the applicant to be at least 18 years old.
• High School Diploma or GED (General Educational Development): Most pharmacy tech programs require you to have at least a high school diploma or similar certification.
• Background Check: You’ll need to pass a background check, especially if you plan to become a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT).

2. Decide on your Educational Journey

When it comes to the question of going to a pharmacy school, one of the biggest questions you might have is, “can I become a pharmacy technician without going to school?”

Well, the answer depends on your goals.

There are 2 ways to go about it. Let’s look at each of them.

• Pharmacy Technician Course

  If you decide to enroll in a training program like the Pharmacy Technician Bootcamp, it will cover topics like medical terminology, pharmacology, pharmacy law, and drug therapy.

These programs can be completed in person or online.

• Becoming a Pharmacy Technician without going to school

  It’s possible to enter the field without prior formal schooling. Some employers offer on-the-job training..

However, it’s important to remember that going with this route might limit your opportunities for advancement, and it could take longer for you to get certified.

3. Complete a Pharmacy Technician Course

If you choose to take the formal education route, you’ll need to choose something like a certified pharmacy technician course.

The course may take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on whether you’re attending part-time or full-time.

When choosing a course, be sure to look for programs accredited by organizations like Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) or the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) .

It’ll help you ensure your chosen program meets industry standards.

4. Get Hands-On Experience

After completing your course/certification, getting hands-on, practical experience is essential.

Most pharmacy technician programs include clinical internships or externships as part of their curriculum.

This is where you’ll get practical, real-world experience in a pharmacy setting

If you're taking a self-paced online course, take some time to check if the program includes a way to gain practical experience—whether through internships or other training opportunities.

5. Take the Certification Exam (Optional but Recommended)

While certification isn’t always required to work as a pharmacy technician, it’s highly recommended, especially from credible platforms like Quick Health Certified.

And even more so if you want to better your job prospects and earning potential. Moreover, certification is also a great way to show employers you have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the job successfully.

Getting certified through recognized organizations not only shows you as a credible individual but helps you land high-paying job prospects. It’s also a great way to show employers you have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the job successfully.

So, if becoming a certified pharmacy technician is something you want to achieve, then this is the route you need to take.

6. Maintain your certification and continue learning

Most certifications require renewal within a set time period. Most certifications’ renewal time is every two years.

Renewal doesn’t just mean retaking the exam, it also requires completing continuing education hours. Retaking the test time and again not only further polishes your understanding of the field but also helps you stay current with industry knowledge and skills.

7. Start Looking for Jobs

After completing your training and certification, you’ll be ready to start applying for jobs. Pharmacy technicians can work in different settings. Some examples include:

• Retail pharmacies: Pharmacies in drugstores or super marts.
• Hospitals: Working with doctors and nurses to manage medicine for patients staying in the hospital.
• Clinics:Assisting healthcare professionals with medications for outpatient care.
• Mail-order pharmacies:Filling in prescriptions to be sent for deliveries

Now, as for the question of a pharmacy technician’s earnings, it boils down to a number of factors, including but not limited to: work setting, geographical location, level of experience, or any additional certification or training.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Pharmacy Technician?

This is one of the most common questions asked by individuals wanting to become pharmacy technicians. Once again, the answer depends on your approach.

• Formal education path

  If you choose to complete and go with online programs like Pharmacy Technician courses, it may take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years till completion, depending on whether you take a certificate program or a bachelor’s degree program.

• On-the-job training

  If you’re looking to become a pharmacy tech without going to school, it may take longer to gain all the necessary skills. The one upside for on-the-job training, however, is you can start working relatively quickly than those enrolled in a course.

But generally, becoming a pharmacy tech is a fast-paced process that can take as little as six months to a year if you follow a formal educational path

How to Become a Pharmacy Technician Online

What if you’re someone who’s interested in becoming a pharmacy tech but don’t have the time, and are wondering, “can I become a pharmacy technician online?” - this one's for you.

There are numerous quick and affordable online programs like Pharmacy Technician Bootcamp out there. These courses often follow the same curriculum as in-person classes but allow you to complete coursework from home.

With options like these, it’s become a lot easier for people with busy schedules or who prefer to learn at their own pace.

However, you might need to do some in-person training or internships to gain practical experience, as this will only help give your career a boost. When exploring online programs, make sure they are accredited and help you earn your certification.

Salary and Job Prospects for Pharmacy Techs

The starting salary for pharmacy technicians can differ depending on your location, employer, and your education level and certification.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary as of 2023 was $40,300. out there. These courses often follow the same curriculum as in-person classes but allow you to complete coursework from home.

As for the job outlook, the employment rate of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow by 7% percent from 2023 to 2033 – faster than the average growth for all professions.

Conclusion – Take the First Step Today

Now you know how to become a pharmacy technician, it’s up to you to take the next step!

Whether you decide on a physical pharmacy technician course, gain practical experience through on-the-job training, or take an online, self-paced course, the possibilities are many.

By the way, if taking an online pharmacy technician course is something you’re after, sites like Quick Health Certified are your best bet. out there. These courses often follow the same curriculum as in-person classes but allow you to complete coursework from home.

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