Although pharmacy technicians typically receive on-the-job training, an increasing number of employers favor pharmacy technician applicants who have formal education, strong customer-service skills or previous experience, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). No matter which avenue you take to become a pharmacy technician, you can make a career out of it and advance to more detailed work.

Fulfill Requirements

Seek education in formal pharmacy technician educational programs. Pharmacy technician programs are offered in community colleges, technical or vocational colleges, hospitals or the military. They offer both laboratory work and classroom education in pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical techniques and pharmacy law and ethics. During your education, you might be required to take an internship in the field. This will allow you to not only gain work experience, but also network to find an employer. After your educational requirements are completed, you will have an associate's degree, diploma or certification dependent among the program you choose. Another option is to build your career by working as a pharmacy aide. You will work closely with pharmacy technicians and have similar duties such as stocking shelves and answering phones. Next you will be able to move on to the pharmacy technician career you want.

Start Your Pharmacy Technician Career

Become employed as a pharmacy technician at a drug store, hospital, retail pharmacy chain or mail-order pharmacy. In this role, you will assist a pharmacist with filling prescriptions, helping customers and keeping inventories of medicines. Once you have the education, experience and significant training, you can advance your pharmacy technician career. For instance, if you work in the health-care system, such as nursing homes, hospitals or at a large pharmacy, you can be promoted. You can mentor or train less-experienced pharmacy technicians. Another option is to turn your pharmacy technician experience into a specialty career. You can become a nuclear pharmacy technician or chemotherapy technician.

Continue Your Education

Once you become a certified pharmacy technician, either through the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, maintain your certification every two years. Re-certification, under both programs, requires 20 hours of continued education with at least 1 hour of pharmacy law. You can receive this education through pharmacy technician training programs, colleges or pharmacy associations. Make sure up to 10 hours are earned on the job and under direct supervision and instruction of a pharmacist, according to BLS.

Source:

US Bureau of Labor Statistics