Aayan Memon

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This profession can be a rewarding one, because you are able to witness the difference you're making in people's lives as you help them receive the medicine they need for an illness or condition.

So what does it take to become a certified pharmacy technician? Read on to learn more about this health-related career path.

A certified pharmacy technician (CPhT) is a health care professional who works with pharmacists to give patients their medication with the correct dosage when needed. They can work in a variety of pharmaceutical settings like retail pharmacies, hospitals, and nursing homes. Unlike other pharmacy technicians, CPhTs go through a certification process that requires education or experience and passing an exam.

Generally, a certified pharmacy technician has passed an examination administered by either the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

The job generally involves a mix of basic health care, administrative, and organizational work like keeping shelves stocked. Depending on the setting (and the laws in the state you’re in), pharmacy technicians may receive prescription requests, maintain patient profiles, manage insurance claims, or operate dispensing systems.

Read more: Pharmacy Technicians: What They Do and How to Become One

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a pharmacy technician in the United States makes an average base salary of $36,740 as of 2021 . Your salary can vary depending on where you’re located and your level of experience. Typically, you can expect to earn more once you're certified.

Certified pharmacy technicians generally work in retail pharmacies, hospitals, or other health care facilities. A pharmacy technician’s tasks can include:

Depending on the state, pharmacy technicians may also take care of basic medical tasks, like vaccinations.

Certified pharmacy technicians work behind the scenes to support patients and other members of the health care team. The job can be a gateway to other medical fields as well.

To become a certified pharmacy technician, candidates must pass a certification exam. Common national certifications include:

If you’re looking to start working as a pharmacy technician and becoming certified, here are some ways you can break into the field:

You can take your experience as a pharmacy technician into other paths. Pharmacy technicians can go on to do office-based jobs such as insurance claims processing; they may also opt to become pharmacists, laboratory technicians, or physician assistants. Some pharmacy technicians can also choose to specialize in a field of medicine, like oncology (cancer treatment).

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