What is pharmacy technology?
Pharmacy technology is a career discipline in the medical arts, related to the assisting of pharmacists and the performance of pharmacy-related functions.
What should I look for in an online pharmacy technician school?
The best online pharmacy technician schools should either possess regional or national accreditation from an accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
In addition, you can often recognize top online pharmacy technician schools based on:
- The school’s name and status
- The school’s history
- Teacher credentials
- Alumni network
In choosing the best online pharmacy technician school for you, you should consider the following factors:
- Admission requirements
- Residency requirements
- Class and teaching style
- Testing methods used
- Course content and presentation
- Program length
- Class size
- Student-teacher interaction
- Technology use
- Tuition and financial aid
- Transferability of credits
- Availability of a dedicated administration team and resources
What levels of online pharmacy technician programs are available?
The following levels of pharmacy technician degree online programs are available:
- Online Pharmacy Technician Certificate Programs
- Online Associates in Pharmacy Technician
- Online Bachelor in Pharmacy Technician
- Online Masters in Pharmacy Technician
- Online PhD in Pharmacy Technician
How long does it take to get an online pharmacy technician degree?
The amount of time it takes a student to earn an accredited online pharmacy technician degree depends on the level of pharmacy technician degree being pursued and the pace of the student.
Typically, the breakdown is as follows:
- Online Pharmacy Technician Certification Programs – 6 months to 1 year
- Online Pharmacy Technician Associates Degree – 2 years
- Online Pharmacy Technician Bachelor Degree – 4 years
- Online Pharmacy Technician Masters – 2 years
- Online Pharmacy Technician PhD – 2 to 5 years
What are some examples of online pharmacy technician courses?
People working toward a top online pharmacy technology degree might take the following online pharmacy technician courses:
- Medical Terminology
This course in an online pharmacy technician degree program introduces students to the definition of medical words and terms used in the diagnosis and treatment of ill health and disease.
- Pharmaceutical Calculations and Measurements
This course provides an overview of pharmaceutical calculations and measurements, abbreviations, professional nomenclature, and the proper methods of pharmaceutical documentation.
- Label and Prescription Information
This course gives an introduction to the science of pharmaceutical prescriptions for those studying in online pharmacy technician training programs.
- Anatomy/Physiology
This course familiarizes students with the human body.
- Poison/Drug Emergencies
This course familiarizes students with toxic substances, many of them found in the home, and their appropriate pharmaceutical treatment.
What areas of pharmacy technician specialization are available?
Students working toward online pharmacy technology certificate programs may choose to major in one of the following concentrations:
- Hematology/oncology
- Infectious diseases
- Nutrition
- Drug and Alcohol Information
- Critical Care
- Pediatric Medicine
What can I do with a pharmacy technician degree?
Pharmacy technician jobs are plentiful, and online pharmacy technician certification programs will help a graduate go a long way toward attaining a career in this industry. Some of the jobs available to someone with a pharmacy technician degree from an accredited online pharmacy technical school are:
- Community Pharmacy Technician
- Hospital Pharmacy Technician
- Clinical Pharmacy Technician
- Compounding Pharmacy Technician
- Consultant Pharmacy Technician
- Internet Pharmacy Technician
- Veterinary Pharmacy Technician
- Nuclear Pharmacy Technician
- Military Pharmacy Technician
What is a pharmacy technician?
A pharmacy technician with a degree from an accredited online pharmacy technology school helps licensed pharmacists distribute medication and health-related products to patients and customers. Pharmacy technicians with degrees from top online pharmacy technical schools often perform tasks such as counting tablets and labeling bottles.
What does a pharmacy technician do?
A pharmacy technician with a degree from a good online pharmacy technical school helps licensed pharmacists prepare prescription drugs, provides customer service, and does other duties as assigned. Pharmacy technicians are often responsible for receiving patient prescriptions, counting out tablets, and labeling the bottles correctly.
How much does a pharmacy technician earn?
Pharmacy technicians with top online pharmacy technician degrees are usually hourly employees, and make an average of $13.32 an hour. Job prospects for pharmacy technicians with accredited online pharmacy technician degrees on their resume are projected to be strong. Growth in pharmacy technology jobs for people who hold the best online pharmacy technician degrees will result from the opening of positions at new pharmacies and hospitals, as well as the need to replace workers who leave the field.
How do I become a pharmacy technician?
People considering obtaining popular online pharmacy technician degrees should be aware that they must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, as well as register with their state’s pharmacy board. Candidates should research online pharmacy technician programs available, as well as additional credentials or certifications that may be required per state regulations.
