While becoming a pharmacy technician is relatively easy—all you need is a high school certificate and on-the-job experience—the journey to become a qualified pharmacy technician is well worth it.
So, whether you’re just starting in the healthcare field or an experienced pharmacy technician seeking a new challenge so you can advance in terms of position and salary, now is the time to explore how you can acquire a Pharmacy Technician Certification.
4 Ways a Pharmacy Technician Certification Can Help You
If you’ve been working as a pharmacy technician for a while, you may believe you know all there is to know about the position and the industry. While there’s no question about your knowledge or your skills, you should also consider the future and how a promotion can benefit you in the long term.
Certification will provide you with the added knowledge and specific industry expertise you’ll need to obtain high-level work and flourish as a pharmacy technician if you’re just starting out. A certification may benefit you in any profession, including the following:
1. You Develop Mathematical Abilities in Pharmaceutical Procedures
Pharmacy technicians are responsible for converting measurements and calculating doses for chemicals and injectable drugs, while pharmacists handle most math and pharmacology. Enrolling in pharmacy tech programs can help you develop and practice these mathematical abilities.
If you want to pursue a certificate, enroll in pharmacy technician classes that will teach you the calculations you’ll need to perform successfully in a pharmacy.
2. You Learn How to Use Pharmaceutical Software
“A large majority of prescription medications are electronic prescriptions, and pharmacy technicians need to be able to locate, retrieve, get prior authorizations, and record data on these prescription medications,” states Jeremy Barthels, School of Health Sciences Department Chair at Rasmussen College.
With the quick advancement of technology in the healthcare industry, it is important to grasp how to interact with these electronic systems to remain competitive.
3. You Expand Your Medicinal Knowledge Base
Pharmaceuticals is one of the primary competence areas you will learn more about during your certification.
“Students learn pharmaceuticals for all of the organ systems of the body. [This includes] actions, side effects, and interactions between them,” Barthels says. Working at a pharmacy will be much easier if you have a solid understanding of these complex concepts.
4. You Enjoy Greater Promotion Opportunities
A certificate might be just what you need to advance your career as a pharmacy technician if you already have some experience. According to the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, certified pharmacy technicians may earn more money and have more prospects for advancement.
Let your manager know what you learned while receiving your certification and what new value-adding skills you’ll bring to the company.
Conclusion
A pharmacy technician certification is also highly useful if you decide to change occupations or need a boost in confidence to approach your supervisor for that huge raise you deserve. Earning your pharmacy technician certification will not be simple no matter which path you take, but it will be worthwhile. It can assist you in staying current with the most cutting-edge trends and technology in the industry.
Northwest Suburban College is a healthcare career training center offering pharmacy tech programs. If you’re interested in learning more about this field and exploring if this is the right career path for you, call us at 847-290-6425 today!
