Becoming a pharmacy technician is a quick way to get into the ever-growing medical field and start a rewarding career helping others. Many people choose pharmacy technician programs because they can take under two years to complete; much quicker than most medical programs out there. Not to mention, the average starting wage for a pharmacy tech in the US is around $16/hour.
If you’re thinking about becoming a pharmacy technician in the future, there are a few things to consider before you sign up for a program on or offline. Here’s how to find a pharmacy technician training program that’s right for you.
Consider Your Timeline
While most pharmacy tech programs will take about 18-24 months to complete on average, there are fast-track programs that can get you certified in as little as 10 months. If you’re looking for a quick route to a new career, pharmacy technician training can get you in the field in less time than 90% of other medical degrees and certifications.
Whether you’re stuck in a job you don’t like or simply want to give pharmacy technician work a try, the programs are designed to get you working as soon as possible. Most programs will cover everything you need to get certified in your state, including specific conditions such as hands-on hours.
The program you choose will depend on how quickly you want your certification. You’ll definitely need to go full-time if you’re looking to become certified in under a year, but going part-time can get you certified in about 24 months.
Hands-on Experience
Many states specifically require a certain number of hands-on hours for a pharmacy technician certification under the state’s medical board. Check with your state regulations to see how many hours you need, and then compare that with what your program of choice has to offer. Schools like UMA offer around 180 hours of hands-on experience, which is more than enough to meet state medical board requirements.
Hands-on experience is, of course, for more than just meeting state regulations. You’ll also want the chance to work under a licensed pharmacist in a real pharmacy environment in order to learn how the pharmacy functions on a daily basis. You’ll learn your role in the pharmacy, the pharmacist’s role, as well as what your day to day responsibilities will look like.
This is a good way to learn how important pharmacy technicians actually are to the overall success of the pharmacy. There’s far too much to be done on a day to day basis for the pharmacist to handle alone!
Work Programs
Chances are that your pharmacy technician program is partnered with specific organizations, such as hospitals, nursing homes, or retail pharmacy companies to offer post-graduation work opportunities. Since you’ll already be training in these facilities and will be familiar with their policies, it makes it much more likely that you’ll be hired after graduation.
This is good news for graduates, as the post-graduation jobless rate sits at about 40%. That’s nearly half of everyone that graduates from college or post-high school education.
Program Cost
Of course, one of your primary considerations when choosing a pharmacy tech program should be the cost of the program and whether or not any financial aid is available. Most pharmacy technician programs have a fixed cost, and some offer no financial aid of any kind.
If you’re paying for your program out-of-pocket, you can check to see if your school offers installment plans or financial assistance (separate from federal student loans). Don’t forget about scholarships!
Accreditation
Accreditation further legitimizes the school or program you’re looking at. A good place to start when you’re figuring out whether or not your school is accredited is the school’s website. Usually, a badge of accreditation will accompany the site, so you know the school is legitimate. You can also check with the US Department of Education’s online records.
Student Feedback
Be careful not to dismiss current and former students’ feedback on both the program and the school itself. Treat your education as an investment; you wouldn’t make a large investment without sound advice, right? Since you’re essentially purchasing a product (your education), you’ll want to check the “customer reviews” to learn all the drawbacks and benefits of the program.
This is a great place to start if you’re unsure of the program’s legitimacy. There are thousands of online forums and review sites specifically for financial institutions, and you can even take to the school’s social media accounts to get a better idea of its standing in the community. Don’t take a chance on something you’re not sure about, especially when it comes to higher learning.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right pharmacy tech program for you is going to take some research on your part. Consider the cost of the program, availability of financial aid, location and reputation of the school, and the length of the program. Hands-on experience is a requirement in many states, so be sure you’re offered the chance to work in a pharmacy during your education.
