A growing number of people are trying to switch careers; in particular, blue-collar workers are upskilling and moving to industries like IT and allied healthcare. This is the reason why the demand for trade schools is increasing across the nation.
With that said, if you want to transition into allied healthcare, becoming a pharmacy technician can be an ideal starting point. Much like any other career transition, you need to upskill, and you can do that with a pharmacy technician online course.
However, it is understandable that you may have a lot of questions and concerns. Don’t worry, this guide will answer all the common questions regarding the online training courses.
Question 1: What Exactly is a Pharmacy Technician Online Course?
Well, to put it simply, an online pharmacy technician program is a structured educational curriculum that is designed to help you develop skills that are needed to work in real-life pharmacy settings. And as the name implies, it is completely online, except for the hands-on training (more on that in a different answer).
Question 2: What is Usually Taught in Such Programs?
While it will vary on which training provider you choose, the curriculum typically covers:
- Pharmacology: Learning about different drug classifications and their effects on the human body.
- Pharmacy Law and Ethics: Understanding the regulations that govern the distribution of controlled substances.
- Medical Math: Mastering the dosage calculations and conversions necessary for accurate prescription filling.
- Inventory Management: Learning how to stock, track, and order medications.
Question 3: Can You Really Learn Pharmacy Skills Online?
Hands down, this is among the most common concerns of every aspiring pharmacy tech student. To answer the question, no, you cannot learn all of the pharmacy skills in online sessions.
With that said, reputable training providers like the CCI Training Center have thought of this very issue, and to ensure you learn all the essential skills, externships (hands-on) training is provided after the completion of the online course. This usually involves you working and learning under the supervision of a pharmacist in your local pharmacy.
NOTE: It is important that you go over the curriculum before enrolling to ensure that your selected online program does offer hands-on training.
Question 4: How Long Does It Take to Complete the Training?
Once again, this will vary depending on your selected course and training provider. Some courses can be completed as quickly as 4 weeks; however, these are self-paced ones with little to no actual usefulness in real life.
As for programs that are worth your time, they will take about 25 weeks to complete.
It should also be noted that this time can increase if you happen to take absences in between, but even with absences, you can complete a well-designed program in under a year.
Question 5: Is Pharmacy Tech Certification Online Possible?
Yes, you can take the pharmacy tech certification exam online; however, it should be noted that cert exam is not a part of the training course and is not offered by the training provider.
The certification exam is usually administered by a national governing body. Also, note that to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), most students sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) offered by the PTCB or the ExCPT offered by the NHA.
Question 6: What are the Requirements to Enroll?
Each training school will have different eligibility criteria, and some may even ask you to present a criminal record (which is needed for the official PTCE cert).
Still, the barrier to entry for a pharmacy technician program is relatively low compared to other medical professions. Typically, you need the following:
- A high school diploma or GED equivalent.
- To be at least 18 years of age (in most states).
- A clean background check (since you will be handling controlled substances).
Some students often fear that they need some prior medical experience to train; however, it is not the case.
Question 7: What Career Opportunities Will I Have?
Realistically speaking, you can only apply for the role of a pharmacy technician after completing the course and obtaining a PTCE credential. With that said, where you work is totally your choice. The top four places with a high demand for pharmacy techs (according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics) are:
- Hospitals: Working on complex IV admixtures and inpatient medication orders.
- Compounding Pharmacies: Helping create customized medications for patients with specific needs.
- Mail-order Pharmacies: Managing large-scale distribution in a warehouse-style environment.
- Insurance Companies: Assisting with claims processing and prior authorizations.
Question 8: Is Online Learning Right for Me?
It depends on your schedule and whether or not you have prior commitments. For instance, if you are working a full-time job and do not have time to commute to a physical classroom, then choosing online learning can be the ideal choice.
Additionally, these three points will help you decide whether online learning is for you or not:
You are self-motivated: Without a teacher standing over your shoulder, you need the discipline to log in and complete your work.
You need flexibility: A full-time job isn’t the only restriction; if you are a parent or need to take care of someone else, you need flexible learning timing.
You are tech-savvy: You don’t need to be a computer genius, but you should be comfortable navigating websites and digital documents.
