How to Become a Certified Pharmacy Technician and Earn Your CPhT Credentials
The pharmacy industry is evolving, and as it does, pharmacy technicians are playing an increasingly important role in patient care. Certified pharmacy technicians (CPhTs) are in high demand as their responsibilities within pharmacies continue to expand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment need of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow by 5% from 2021 to 2031. This growth is driven by factors such as an aging population and the increased need for prescription medications. If you've considered becoming a pharmacy technician, now is a great time. Let's take a look at what they do, where they work, and how you can earn your CPhT credentials through American Allied Health (AAH).
What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?
As a pharmacy technician, you are responsible for assisting the pharmacists in dispensing medications and ensuring patients receive proper care.
Typical duties include:
- Managing and organizing medication inventory
- Receiving prescription requests from patients and healthcare providers
- Accurately measuring and preparing medication doses
- Maintaining and updating patient records
- Processing insurance claims and handling payments for prescriptions
Pharmacy technicians are critical to the smooth operation of pharmacies. Essential skills of a successful Pharmacy Technician are being highly organized, detail-oriented, and knowledgeable about medications. As the industry grows, pharmacy technicians are taking on additional clinical responsibilities, making their role even more critical.
Where Do Pharmacy Technicians Work?
Pharmacy technicians can work in a variety of settings across the healthcare industry, including:
- Retail pharmacies: The most common setting where pharmacy technicians help fill prescriptions, manage inventory, and assist customers.
- Hospitals: In hospitals, pharmacy technicians prepare medications for patients and assist pharmacists in delivering complex treatments, including IV medications.
- Long-term care facilities: This includes nursing homes or rehabilitation centers where pharmacy technicians are responsible for ensuring residents receive their medications on time and in the correct doses.
- Mail-order or online pharmacies: With the growth of online healthcare services, pharmacy technicians may work in settings where they manage and ship medications to patients.
The Growing Demand for Certified Pharmacy Technicians
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of pharmacy technicians will grow steadily in the coming years. This demand is being driven by several factors, including:
- Aging population: As the U.S. population ages, there is an increasing need for prescription medications, which creates more opportunities for pharmacy technicians.
- Expansion of clinical services: Many pharmacies are now offering more clinical services, such as flu shots and health screenings, which require a well-trained workforce to support these operations.
Earning your CPhT credentials will help you stand out in the job market by demonstrating that you have the skills and knowledge to perform the expanding range of duties expected from pharmacy technicians.
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician
Becoming a pharmacy technician is a straightforward process that involves the following steps:
- Meet educational requirements: A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum requirement to begin working as a pharmacy technician. Some choose to enroll in a formal pharmacy technician training program for additional instruction, and a vocational training certificate is a great place to start. Most states require completion of a full program to obtain state licensure, so make sure you check with your individual state.
- Gain hands-on experience: Many states require pharmacy technicians to complete practical training through an externship or on-the-job learning.
- Earn your certification: Earning your pharmacy technician certification can improve your career prospects and open up more opportunities in various healthcare settings. AAH makes getting certified easy through our online Pharmacy Technician certification.
Earning Your CPhT Credentials with American Allied Health (AAH)
American Allied Health (AAH) offers a convenient and affordable path to earning your pharmacy technician certification. AAH's online certification exam allows you to complete your certification on your schedule, making it easier to fit into your busy life. Earning your CPhT credentials through AAH will:
- Increase your job prospects in a variety of healthcare settings by setting you apart from those without certification
- Demonstrate your expertise and readiness for the expanding role of a pharmacy technician
- Meet the growing demand for certified pharmacy technicians
- Equip you with the knowledge to handle the evolving responsibilities of the position
Pharmacy technicians are an integral part of our healthcare system, and their importance continues to grow as the industry evolves. When you register for your exam through American Allied Health, you will receive instant access to free topical study guides and practice exams, and you'll even get one free retake because we truly want you to be successful. Earning your CPhT credentials through American Allied Health, enables you to take advantage of the increasing demand for certified pharmacy technicians and position yourself for a rewarding career in healthcare. Certifying with AAH means you can certify with confidence - register now.