Online Pharmacy Technician Schools

Thirty-four percent of all adults in the United States take at least one prescription medication. Another 11.5 percent of adults use three or more prescriptions drugs and 6.5 percent are taking four or more prescription drugs. People trained at online pharmacy technician schools help deal with that demand.

Prescription-drug usage is on the rise, as the American population ages and advancements in the medical prescription industry help to create new medications which are able to treat a variety of ailments.

With pharmaceutical usage increasing each year, pharmacists are busier than ever. To aid in their accurate and timely dispensing of prescription medication are pharmacy technicians – specially-trained assistants who are able to aid the pharmacist in performing their regular duties, who can learn from online pharmacy technician schools.

Pharmacy technicians work in pharmacies, hospitals, and even nursing homes. As a vital member of the pharmacy team, who will be dealing with medications, pharmacy technicians must have above-average ability in the areas of math, science, chemistry and statistics. Having a handle on good customer-service skills also is a must-have attribute for any pharmacy technician.

Online Pharmacy Technician Education and Training

There are several options when it comes to training for a career as a pharmacy technician. Some pharmacies offer on-the-job training programs for pharmacy technicians. However, most employers prefer technicians who have received formal training.

In most states, pharmacy technicians must receive certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. However, before a candidate can sit for the test, they should complete formal training through an online pharmacy technician program offered by a technical or trade school, or through a community college.

The best pharmacy technician schools will provide training in the following areas: administration, pharmaceutical calculations, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, pharmacology, medical terminology, digestive/respiratory/reproductive systems, and healthcare systems.

Pharmacy technicians will be trained in not only the medical aspects of the job, but also the customer service aspects. As with any retail job, a large portion of performing the duties of a pharmacy technician is dealing with the general public. Presenting oneself in a friendly manner can go a long way in helping to resolve conflicts that may arise as part of the job.

Pharmacy technicians should not only possess stellar customer service skills, but also be well organized and computer literate. A large portion of the job requires the use of computerized programs in order to properly dispense prescriptions.

While traditional programs work for some students, there are others who benefit most from being able to take their courses online. For those students, there are a number of pharmacy technician online schools. Many of these online courses provide a combination of textbook learning with online homework and examinations. Students can earn a pharmacy technician certification without ever leaving the comfort of their own homes.

In addition to certification programs offered through these online forums, the National Pharmacy Technician Association also provides an online pharmacy technician training program. The program takes approximately six months to a year to complete.

When looking for a quality online program, look for reviews on the schools offering online courses prior to signing up. It also is helpful to know how tuition is paid and what kind of offline assistance is available should the student require additional help with courses. Taking classes online can be convenient, but it should not be the only contact students have with their course providers.

Future Growth for Online Pharmacy Technician School Graduates

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median salary for a pharmacy technician in 2010 was $28,400 per year. Job growth in this industry is expected to show 42 percent growth over the next decade, which is a faster-than-average pace compared with other occupations.

Article by Shari Berg, SmartSchoolFinder.com