Pharmacy technicians play a vital role in assisting licensed pharmacists with various tasks, such as dispensing medications, managing inventory, and providing excellent customer service.
As pharmacy practices continue to evolve with new technologies and medications, there is an increasing demand for competent and qualified pharmacy technicians, making its certification more crucial than ever for aspiring and existing pharmacy technicians looking to boost their career prospects.
In this article, let's explore what pharmacy technician certifications are and why they are significant in the job market for career development.
What are Pharmacy Technician Certifications?
Pharmacy technician certifications are formal credentials awarded to individuals who have completed specialized training and passed a standardized examination to demonstrate their knowledge and competence in pharmacy-related tasks.
These certifications hold great importance in advancing one's career in the field of pharmacy by enhancing their knowledge, skills, and job market competitiveness, opening doors to higher-level positions and specialized areas of practice.
Certified pharmacy technicians receive industry recognition, gain trust from employers and patients, and play a crucial role in improving patient safety. Obtaining these certifications showcases dedication to professionalism and continuous learning, making it a vital step for aspiring pharmacy technicians to succeed and excel in their careers.
However, acquiring them can be quite a challenge. First, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria, prepare with recommended resources, attempt a pharmacy technician practice test, and pass the examination.
Some of the different pharmacy technician certification programs include:
National Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT)
The National Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) is one of the most widely recognized certifications in the United States and is offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). It has become a prerequisite for licensure in many states and is highly regarded by employers across the nation.
State-Specific Certifications
In addition to the national certification, some states have their own pharmacy technician certification requirements and examinations. State-specific certifications are essential for individuals intending to practice as pharmacy technicians within those particular states, as they may have unique eligibility criteria and regulations.
Specialty Certifications
Pharmacy technicians can further enhance their expertise by pursuing specialty certifications. These certifications allow them to focus on specific areas of pharmacy practice, such as chemotherapy, sterile compounding, or medication therapy management. By becoming specialists in these areas, pharmacy technicians can expand their career opportunities and provide specialized care to patients.
Importance of Pharmacy Technician Certification for Career Development
As much as being a pharmacy technician puts you at an advantage in areas of pharmacy and health care, these certifications provide you with some added advantages. Some of them include:
1. Competitive Edge in the Job Market
Certification gives pharmacy technicians a distinct competitive advantage when seeking employment. Although not yet mandatory nationwide, certification is increasingly preferred or required by employers.
Given that these certifications are recognized across all US states and institutions, certified pharmacy techs have broader prospects for employment and relocation.
2. Opportunity for Advancement
Beyond initial hire ability, certification paves the way for career advancement for pharmacy technicians. Certified technicians are the first choice for promotions to lead or supervisory roles, thanks to their demonstrated competence and credibility. Moreover, techs generally command higher salaries and have better access to pay raises or cost of living adjustments.
3. Enhanced Professional Credibility
Earning certification bolsters the credibility and trustworthiness of pharmacy technicians. Certification validates the technician's knowledge and proficiency in their role to colleagues and supervisors, reinforcing their confidence in their abilities to take on more responsibility.
For patients, certification provides assurance they are being served by qualified professionals committed to ongoing training. Certification demonstrates dedication to the field beyond just on-the-job training.
4. Universal Recognition
A key benefit of national certification through PTCB or other accredited programs is the “universal recognition” that comes with gaining the certification.
These certifications are a mark of competence that remains valid across various pharmacy practice settings and geographic locations. This makes relocating or switching jobs much smoother for certified pharmacy technicians. Moreover, seeking jobs out of state is also made easier without having to re-earn state-specific credentials.
5. Financial Benefits and Job Security
With the skills gap continuing to widen in healthcare, certified pharmacy technicians enjoy increased job security and financial compensation.
Beyond higher hourly wages, certified staff often get preferential consideration for bonuses or tuition assistance programs. Earning certification is an inexpensive investment that typically pays for itself quickly in financial dividends.
6. Continuous Professional Development
Pharmacy technician certification emphasizes the importance of staying current with the latest advancements and best practices. Renewing certification requires ongoing continuing education credits which ensures the certified techs expand their knowledge and competencies over time.
These certifications motivate technicians to be lifelong learners and provide a structured pathway for continuous skills enhancement.
7. Provide a Broader Scope of Practice
Certified pharmacy technicians qualify to take on an expanded scope of practice compared to non-certified peers. The advanced competencies validated by certifications allow certified techs to undertake a wider range of duties under pharmacist supervision.
This broader scope keeps work varied and appealing for certified technicians and can include tasks like medication inventory management, immunization assistance, prescription data entry, and customer education.
8. Assures Quality Patient Care
Pharmacy technician certification has a profound impact on patient safety and care quality.
These certifications confirm that technicians have mastered the abilities crucial for medication preparation, dispensing, documentation, and handling. This minimizes risks from medication errors and other preventable mistakes. Studies show that certified pharmacy technicians demonstrate greater knowledge proficiency and compliance with procedures, compared to technicians without a certification.
With certified technicians supporting them, pharmacists can dedicate more time to direct patient care activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get certified as a pharmacy technician?
The time frame depends on prior experience and education. Those with relevant classroom coursework or on-the-job pharmacy experience may only need a few weeks or months of focused exam preparation. For others new to the field, completing a pharmacy technician training program first is advised before attempting certification.
When do I need to renew my pharmacy technician certification?
PTCB certification must be renewed every 2 years. Renewal requires completing 20 hours of continuing education and reapplying for certification. NHA certification renewal is also every 2 years with proof of 10 continuing education hours.
Is certification mandatory for pharmacy technicians nationwide?
There is no current federal regulation mandating certification for pharmacy techs across all states. However, a growing number of states and employers are making certification a requirement for practice. PTCB estimates nearly 300,000 pharmacy technicians are now certified nationwide.
Conclusion
For pharmacy technicians, national certification should be the clear choice to unlock abundant career opportunities and rewards.
As healthcare evolves, certification is becoming the industry standard for validating competence to employers and patients alike. The investment in certification quickly pays dividends in accelerated career advancement, financial gains, professional credibility, and personal accomplishment.
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