Are you considering a career as a pharmacy technician? Attending a pharmacy technician trade school program is the best way to give your career the jumpstart it needs. This program will provide you with all the knowledge and skills required to become a successful pharmacist.
Here's what you should expect when enrolling in a pharmacy technician trade school program.
Classroom Education
A pharmacy technician trade school program includes classroom education that covers topics such as pharmacology, drug delivery systems, medical terminology, and drug classifications. Pharmacology is the study of medications and their effects on the body. This is a big part of a pharmacy technician's job, so it's important to get an in-depth understanding of the subject.
You will also learn about drug delivery systems, which are the methods of administrating medications to patients. This includes understanding how different drugs should be taken and the best medication administration practices.
In addition, you will learn medical terminology to help you understand the language used in prescriptions and other healthcare documents. You will also learn about drug classifications and how to identify the different types of medications, in addition to things like inventory control, dosage calculations, compounding techniques, and patient counseling.
These topics provide an overview of the duties you will be responsible for as a pharmacy technician.
Certification Exams
To become certified as a pharmacy technician in certain states, you may need to take certification exams such as the PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam). These exams measure your knowledge of basic principles of pharmacology as well as technical aspects of pharmaceutical operations and services.
The PTCE is offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. It tests your ability to demonstrate competency in areas such as pharmacy law and regulations, medication safety, pharmacology, drug administration, and pharmaceutical calculations.
Work Experience
A good pharmacy technician trade school program will include hands-on clinical experience and classroom instruction. This is a massive boost for your resume when applying for jobs. It shows employers that you have the practical skills needed to perform tasks in line with your job duties.
You will typically start with an introduction period to familiarize yourself with the equipment in an actual retail or hospital environment before beginning hands-on work with experienced technicians and pharmacists. This experience is invaluable because it gives you real-world insight into day-to-day operations in a retail or hospital pharmacy setting.
You also get to learn from experienced professionals and ask questions about their daily tasks. This helps you gain confidence in your skills and abilities as a pharmacy technician.
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