How to Earn a Pharmacy Technician Certification with Ease?

Pharmacist technicians help pharmacists with their day to day tasks. Some of these duties include mixing medication and labeling bottles, counting pills and many others. Once the pharmacist technician is done with his work, it is the duty of the pharmacist to review what has been done before it is given to the patient. As much as there are no requirements for one to become qualified in this profession, there are two certificates that one can do to further his/her education and become advanced in the field.

In order for you to obtain the pharmacy technician certificate, here are a couple of steps you could follow.

• Get a chance and talk to any prospective employees that are in your area because since this profession does not require a certificate, employment requirements could vary between employees and states. What you could try to find out from the employer is the kind of certificate they would prefer you to have as well as other requirements. Ask as well if they would be willing to pay for your certificate if you got the job.
• You now need to know the requirements for the particular certificate that you intend to get so that you will have a better chance at passing. There are two certification bodies that are responsible for awarding certificates to those that are interested in becoming Pharmacist Technicians. These are, the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCE). Both bodies require you to have a high school diploma or GED as well as no pharmacy related convictions.
• Once you have all the requirements, take your certificate exam. Do not forget to study hard for it. If your employer did not have a preference as to which certificate you should have to qualify for the job, you will have to make the decision on your own. The PTCE exam usually has 90 questions in multiple choice forms, 10 of which are pre-test questions that are non-graded. This test covers inventory control systems, maintaining medication and assisting a pharmacist in serving patients. You can go to the PTCE website and take a sample test just to get you ready for the exam.

  The Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians on the other hand has 110 multiple choice questions. 10 of which are pre-test questions and the other 100 will be scored. This exam, through the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians covers drugs and drug products, dispensing process as well as regulation and technician duties. To find out more about the exam, you can visit their website.

• You will also need to take note of the re-certification requirements. Both require you to have earned 20 hours of continued education which you can get having worked under perhaps a licensed Pharmacist or through some formal training.

All the best of luck in getting your Pharmacy Technician Certificate.