Given the continuously expanding field of health care, there is the corresponding growth in the demand for pharmacy technicians. The fact that there is a shortage of pharmacists backed by the rising consumer need in terms of medical prescriptions, the pharmacy technicians are steadily being pushed into the limelight in the service industry of pharmaceutical medicines.

Better opportunities have opened for lot pharmacy technicians. Greater responsibility is expected from them. Hence, a Certification for Pharmacy Technicians is quite essential before one can continue his practice. To date, there are a number of States that require pharmacy technicians to be recognized as such on a national level before they can practice their profession.

What is a Pharmacy Technician?
To briefly describe the work of pharmacy technicians, they are the people who assist in the operations of a pharmacy. The pharmacists supervise them in their work since the job of pharmacy technicians does not involve those functions that require the exercise of professional judgment compared to that of a pharmacist's. The pharmacy technicians assist and provide health care to those patients in need. Pharmacy technicians are also known by these titles - pharmacy support personnel, pharmacy clinicians or pharmacy helpers. They may also be referred to by other job titles.

Requirements to be a Pharmacy Technician
Everywhere in the country, the requirements to be a pharmacy technician are two-fold, namely:

1. Extensive knowledge of practices in a pharmacy
2. Adept in the techniques of ordering, stocking, packaging and preparing medications

You should take note that it is not important that a pharmacy technician has the advanced college degree similar to that of a licensed pharmacist. Aside from the fact that their work is supervised and checked by the licensed pharmacist before the patient gets his medication, the pharmacy technicians can do most of the work of a licensed pharmacist.

The Pharmacy Certification Program
To be qualified to take the exam on Pharmacy Technician Certification, a candidate must have finished at least high school or its equivalent, if any. Aside from this mandatory requirement, he must be capable of typing at least 35 words per minute, knows how to use Microsoft word or other computer word processing program and must be proficient in the English language observing proper grammar and correct punctuation. No prior experience on the medical or health care field is required.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification program is open to all interested individuals whether they are still in their high school or those who, after finished their undergraduate course, wants to pursue an alternative career. In case of other inquiries or clarifications regarding the certification, you can always refer to the Internet as mostly all States maintain sites that provide information on pharmacy. You may also choose to reach the schools that offer the program at their given contact numbers.

While you are still in the process of pursuing your Pharmacy Technician Certification, a number of States allow you to still be employed as such until you complete it. If you cannot finish the course on time, then you will have to be satisfied to end up as unlicensed personnel.

As in many courses, there are a certain number of hours required from a student under the Pharmacy Technician Certification. The States also require a fixed number of hours worked before the certification or registration can be given to you. It would be best if you apply for internship or on-the-job training (OJT) and work already in a place where you would like to be part of so that your current employer can just absorb you if you were qualified.

Benefits of a Pharmacy Technician School
The training offered by a school specializing in producing Pharmacy Technician includes the following:

1. To gain knowledge and preparation for the Pharmacy Technician Certification

2. How to measure, fill as well as label the prescriptions

3. Keeping record filed up-to-date and taking down prescription records

4. Labeling each dosage to be used for the 24-hour supply of medicines for the hospital patients

5. To verify the information stated on the prescription when received from the doctors and the patients

6. Before giving them to a patient, to file and price the prescriptions subject to the review of the pharmacist

Most of the schools allow the students to keep their present jobs while studying in becoming a pharmacy technician. Some of the benefits offered are flexible study time as well as loans. Anyone who is interested in this line of work will find the schedule of studying quite flexible.

Voluntary examinations are scheduled a number of times in a year by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. In order to be eligible, a student must have a high school diploma or GED and is not a holder of any record for any activity that is criminal in nature. Upon graduation and finishing the Pharmacy Technician Certification, a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPT) title is bestowed upon him.

There is a need to re-certify after every two years. To be eligible for re-certification, 20 contact hours must be spent on topics involving pharmacy such as OJT or listening to lectures. Working under a licensed pharmacist who exercises direct supervision over you may compensate for at least half of the 20 hours.

Benefits of Being a Pharmacy Technician
After having obtained your Pharmacist Technician Certification, it is now time to reap the rewards. You can look forward to coming to a clean workplace as pharmacies and hospitals necessary require that their places be well kept, well-lighted and organized all the time. Although sometimes, you may be asked to carry boxes to sore in the shelves but that is part of the job. You can opt to work full time or part time depending on your work ethics and also on the job you are applying for.

Opportunities Ahead
Data from 2002 estimated the availability of 210,000 jobs for pharmacy technicians alone, according to the US Department of Labor. Present estimate places it to 274,500 available jobs. Bulk of the need comes from retail pharmacies. The outlook for Pharmacy Technicians is very positive given the breakthroughs and advances in the medical industry.

Most of the people holding the job of Pharmacy Technicians are bereft of formal training hence it is anticipated that demand for Certified Pharmacy Technicians will surely be on the rise. Demand are also expected to come from online pharmacies given their popularity since there is the increasing demand to lower the cost of prescription drugs. Of the total number of Certified Pharmacy Technicians, 22% works for hospitals and health care centers.