CERTIFIED PHARMACY TECHNICIAN PROGRAM
MISSOURI HEALTH CAREERS INSTITUTE
PHARMACY TECHNICIANS ARE AWESOME!
Pharmacy Technicians are skilled professionals who act as a liaison between the pharmacist and the customer. They are trained to perform clerical duties and tasks related to compounding, preparing and dispensing medications.
As the demand for prescription medicines from an aging population grows and the rates of chronic diseases continues to increase among all age groups, the need for trained and licensed Pharmacy Technicians are increasing at high rates!
The Pharmacy Technician program at Missouri Health Careers Institute provides the education and training needed to begin a career working in retail, hospital, mail order pharmacy, oncology, long-term care and other healthcare facilities including pediatrics.
WHAT WILL I DO AS A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN?
As a Pharmacy Technician, your job tasks and responsibilities may include: Preparing medications under the direction of a pharmacist. You are tasked with the responsibility of measuring, mixing, counting out, labeling, and recording amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders. Best of all, your career skills will travel with you wherever you go!
Video Source: CareerOneStop
Pharmacy Technicians duties include:
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Collecting prescription information
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Compounding sterile & non-sterile medications
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Contact physicians for prescription clarification & refill authorizations
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Package and label prescriptions
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Perform inventory duties
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Accept payment for prescriptions and process insurance claims
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Receiving and verifying information
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Operate automated dispensing equipment
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Answer phone calls
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Arrange for customers consultations
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Maintain pharmacy's safety by adhering to infection- control procedures, policies, and regulations
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
The Pharmacy Technician program at Missouri Health Career Institute will provide you with hands on training and education required to become a certified pharmacy technician.
During the course of the program, you will learn the skills and procedures commonly performed by pharmacy technicians in hospitals, retail pharmacies, mail-order and much more. MHCI will equip you with the skills needed to perform pharmaceutical calculations, prescription processing, drug labeling, sterile and non-sterile drug compounding, and dispensing over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.
Our pharmacy program is recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certified Board and is aligned and will cover all information required by the PTCB to insure that you are prepared to take and successfully pass the PTCE and walk away with a sound career that is recognized and accepted.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR PHARMACY TECHNICIAN PROGRAM
MUST be 17 years of age OR older
MUST complete and pass background check
MUST successfully pass MHCI Math Entry Assessment
MUST have a high school diploma/GED OR must be in the second half of Junior year of high school AND in the process of completing high school diploma within 1-2 school year period
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
CAREERS AFTER I GRADUATE
Pharmacy Technician careers vary greatly in many facilities and are always in demand. For this reason, our graduates have a great job outlook.
As a Pharmacy Technician, you will work under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist and perform many pharmacy-related functions. Pharmacy Technician's refers any questions regarding prescriptions, drug information, or health matters to a pharmacist. *
They have the responsibility of compounding and mixing medications. Pharmacy technicians duties will vary depending on which environment they work in but most work in a clean and well-ventilated area. There are many types of facilities that Pharmacy Technicians can work in, from children's hospitals, community pharmacies, hospitals, the military, in-home health care settings, long term care facilities, mail service pharmacies, managed health care organizations, educational programs and even nuclear pharmacy.
Pharmacy technicians have the option to work days, nights, twelve hours shifts and more. Pharmacy is an exciting field to grow in as you always have the opportunity to move into management positions as your experience increases.
Graduates from our program often find jobs working in:
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Adult & children's Hospitals
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Mail-Order pharmacies
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Community pharmacy
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Long-term care & managed health care organizations
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and More!
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? CONTACT US TODAY!
JOB GROWTH OUTLOOK
Outlook 1
Employment of Pharmacy Technicians is projected to grow 12 percent through 2026 which is noted as "faster than average" for all occupations. This growth stems from our aging population who are now baby boomers and the high rates of chronic diseases among all ages. Pharmacy technicians are in high demand, which their important job roles are ever increasing. They are needed to help pharmacists dispense prescription medications to customers and healthcare professionals.*
Outlook 2
In addition, pharmacy technicians may be needed to take on a greater role in pharmacy operations because pharmacists are increasingly performing more patient care activities such as giving flu shots. Technicians will need to perform tasks such as collecting patient information, preparing more types of medications, and verifying the work of other technicians, tasks formerly done by pharmacists.
Outlook 3
Pharmacy Technicians
Percent change in employment, projected 2016-2026*
Pharmacy Technician
12%
14%
Health technologist & Technicians
7%
Total, all occupations
Number of Jobs, 2016: 402,500
Employment change, 2016-2026: 47,600
Job Growth Outlook: 12%
(faster than average)
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
QUICK FACTS ABOUT PHARMACY TECHNICIANS
Quick Fact 1
Employment of Pharmacy Technicians is projected to grow by more than 17 percent in Missouri over the next 7 years, much faster than the average for all occupations.**
Quick Fact 2
Pharmacy Technicians work primarily in pharmacies, including those found in grocery and drug stores. Some technicians work in hospitals or other health care facilities. Pharmacy Technicians spend most of the workday on their feet.
Quick Fact 3
Pharmacy Technicians may be needed to take on a greater role in pharmacy operations because pharmacists are increasingly performing more patient care activities such as giving flu shots.
Quick Fact 4
As the number of individuals who have health insurance continues to increase and more people have access to insurance coverage, more Pharmacy Technicians will be needed to handle their prescriptions.
Quick Fact 5
Most Pharmacy Technicians work full time. Pharmacies may be open at all hours.Therefore, pharmacy technicians may have to work nights or weekends.
*Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Pharmacy Technicians,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm (visited May 19, 2019).
More information, including median wages and the job outlook for Pharmacy Technicians in Missouri can be found in the Pharmacy Technician Guide https://www.pharmacytechnicianguide.com . For the latest national information, please visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
QUICK FACTS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS!
What does a Pharmacy Technician do?
Pharmacy Technician duties can vary depending on where they work. Usually, Pharmacy Technicians are responsible for receiving, confirming prescriptions and verifying patient insurance coverage.
Responsibilities can include preparing and filling prescriptions along with organizing and managing inventory. In addition, Pharmacy Technicians spend a great amount of time interacting with customers, both over the phone and in person.
They also process payments for prescriptions and arrange for individuals to speak with the Pharmacist if they request or need a consultation. In most states, technicians can call physicians with prescription refill authorizations and compound and mix medications.
Where do a Pharmacy Technician work?
Technicians have the opportunity to work at many locations, including pharmacies and drug stores, medical and surgical hospitals compounding laboratories, nuclear pharmacies, long-term care facilities, grocery stores, and a number of health care related facilities.
How do I become a Pharmacy Technician?
While not all states require Pharmacy Technicians to have completed specific education at this time, however, most states do require training and certification for Pharmacy Technicians.
Choosing Missouri Health Careers Institute(MHCI) Board recognized Pharmacy Technician Program can equip you with the skills you need to succeed in the health care field. All of our programs at MHCI include hands-on practice as well as a clinical externship, allowing you to put your newfound knowledge into practice in a real-world setting. This helpful combination means you can hit the ground running when you graduate!
Why should I be Certified as a Pharmacy Technician?
Not all states require technicians to be certified at this time BUT beginning January 1, 2020, completion of a PTCB-recognized education/training program OR equivalent work experience will be required of all new CPhT applicants. To be considered eligible for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) under the 2020 requirement, a candidate must attest to one of the following:
1. Completion of a PTCB-recognized education/training program.
OR
2. Equivalent work experience as a pharmacy technician (min. 500 hours). This alternative path will serve experienced pharmacy technicians who were not in a position to attend a PTCB-recognized program in the past.*
Having this certification will not only make you more marketable when applying for positions, but it also by as early as 2020 you will be Required to be certified to work in pharmacy as a Pharmacy Technician.
Let our PTCB recognized program help you get an early jump start!
*Source: https://www.ptcb.org/about-ptcb/certification-program-changes#.XOwbh4hKjb0
How do I become Certified as a Pharmacy Technician?
After completing Missouri Health Careers Institute's Pharmacy Technician Certification Board(PTCB) recognized program, you can apply to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). Once you are approved to take the PTCE and pass the examination, you will be considered a nationally Certified Pharmacy Technician!
What is the difference between Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacist?
While Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacists work closely together, their job responsibilities and level of training vary widely. Most Pharmacy Technicians attend a short-term training program and earn their certification. Pharmacists, on the other hand, must hold a doctoral degree in pharmacology and pass the NAPLEX.
Pharmacy Technicians may accept prescriptions from patients and even fill them, however, they cannot dispense any medication without the Pharmacist first reviewing it. In addition, Pharmacy Technicians may not offer medical advice to patients; instead they must refer patients to the Pharmacist with their medication questions.
What are the benefits of be a Pharmacy Technician?
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Pharmacy Tech is a growing field & jobs are always in demand
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Become certified fast usually under 1 year!
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Great job flexibility
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You'll feel good knowing you are helping others
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You get to work with your hands
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You'll have a variety of professional career options to choose from
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Allows for advancement opportunities to the top
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You can fill more than prescriptions
How long is the Pharmacy Technician program?
Our Pharmacy Technician program varying from 6 to 9 months. Contact us to see which track works for you!
Does MHCI offer Day and Evening classes for the Pharmacy Technician program?
Yes, at Missouri Health Careers Institute, we understand it’s not easy to juggle going to College with family, work, and other responsibilities. That’s why we offer convenient day and evening classes for most of our health care training programs, so you can choose the one that’s right for you. To learn more, please contact us now!
Does MHCI offer externship for Pharmacy Technician Program?
Yes, at Missouri Health Careers Institute, we know how important it is to gain on the job experience in order to gain a potential job through good rapport. That's why we offer an extensive externship to gain real world experience with every Pharmacy Technician track we offer!
What are the entry requirements for the Pharmacy Technician program?
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High School diploma/GED OR must be in the second half of Junior year of high school AND in the process of completing high school diploma within 1-2 school year period
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Must be 17 years of age OR older
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Must successfully pass MHCI Math Entry Assessment
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Must Complete and pass background check