Pharmacy technicians are often required to work varying schedules, especially in pharmacy settings that are open 24 hours a day. Working nights and weekends is a common occurrence, but some pharmacy technicians choose to work part-time hours.

Although no standard training requirements exist for pharmacy technicians, employers desire to hire individuals with formal training at a community college, technical or vocational school. Pharmacy technician programs vary in length, depending on the school’s requirements. Pharmacy technician programs can last from six months to two years. Common subjects taught in training programs include pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical record keeping, pharmacy laws and ethics and pharmaceutical calculations. Many programs require students to learn the names and dosages of medications that technicians commonly work with. Most training programs include an internship, where students receive on-the-job training. Some employees go on to hire technicians after their internship is complete.

Pharmacy technicians can earn certifications through the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT) and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). To receive certifications, candidates must pass an examination, have graduated from high school and cannot have any pharmacy-related or drug-related criminal charges. Pharmacy technicians must re-certify every two years, which requires 20 hours of continual education courses within the two-year period. Pharmacy technicians can earn 10 hours of continual education requirements on the job under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

Pharmacy technicians must possess good communication, mathematics, reading and spelling skills. Technicians must be comfortable working with people, including coworkers, patients and other medical professionals. Technicians must also pay close attention to detail because making a mistake can be hazardous to a patient’s health.

The employment outlook for pharmacy technicians is extremely positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a 25 percent increase in jobs is expected through the year 2018. Several reasons for the job growth include an increase in elderly patients, who often use prescriptions jobs as they advance in age. The advancement in pharmaceutical technology is leading to an increase in prescription drugs available on the market, which is resulting in the need to hire more pharmacy technicians. Individuals with training and certifications will have the best employment opportunities.

The curriculum provides students with a balance of in-depth coursework and experience in the surgical environment. Students learn about anatomy and physiology of the human body, operating room procedures, surgical instruments, sterile techniques and medical terminology. Education leading to an Associate’s degree will require general education classes in a variety of subjects including English and math, in addition to coursework in the field of surgical technology.

Applied experience in the operating room teaches students about the job functions they will provide after graduation. Standard job functions during practical experience include: learning to prepare patients for surgery, preparation of the operating room and medical instruments, assisting the surgeon by providing the requested medical instruments, proper use of medical equipment, reviewing charts and taking vitals during an operation, transferring patients to and from surgery and cleaning the operating room.

 Surgical Technician training is not limited to standard job functions. There are numerous opportunities for advancement in the field. Many Surgical Technicians acquire additional training to become more specialized in their field. Some choose to specialize in certain organ systems, such as the heart, while others become First Assistants. First Assistants provide more specialized assistance to surgeons such as closing surgical incisions, retracting tissue and preventing blood loss.

Accredited programs will provide students with the coursework and necessary clinical experience to become certified in the field. Some jurisdictions do not require certification for Surgical Technicians, however most medical facilities prefer applicants with this credential. Additionally, Surgical Technicians that desire advancement in the field must be certified to perform more invasive duties.

The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) and the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) provide certification exams for Surgical Technicians. Each certifying body has its own requirements to sit for an examination. Upon passing the exam, the NBSTSA allows Surgical Technicians to be designated as a Certified Surgical Technologist. The NCCT uses the designation of Tech in Surgery-Certified, for passing the exam. Certification will need to be renewed at regular intervals to maintain any designation.

Surgical Technician training is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in health professions, whether as their first career or to change careers. Accredited programs provide students with a quality education in less time, minimizing the time it takes to enter the job market.

Pharmacist vs. Pharmacy Technician

In order to pursue your pharmacist goal, you must go to school to obtain the proper education. There are a variety of choices when it comes to schools for this particular career path. Your choice of school ultimately depends on whether you want to become a pharmacist or a pharmacy technician.

Many people use pharmacist and pharmacy technician interchangeably, but there are a few differences you should be aware of in order to choose the right school. While both career paths deal directly with medications, pharmacists are considered experts and are equipped to provide sound advice. The pharmacy technician role is one of an assistant to the pharmacist, and they are responsible for preparing and filling patients’
prescriptions.

School Differences

Due to the extent of knowledge that is expected, a pharmacist is required to go through more schooling. You will need at least two years of undergraduate work in science-based courses, such as chemistry and anatomy. Choosing a school that is known for a good science program is important. After completing basic courses, you will then need to choose a four-year pharmacy program. A school’s rating, as well as its graduation rate, is an important feature to look for. A person can graduate with a pharmacy degree in five to six years.

A pharmacy technician has some of the same roles as a pharmacist, but with fewer overall responsibilities. For this reason, you do not have to obtain traditional college training. You can also complete pharmacy technician schooling online in as little as one year or less.

Registration and Certification

Becoming a pharmacy technician often requires that you obtain a certification before you can get a job. Before obtaining the required paperwork, you will need to take a test. Both pharmacy technicians and pharmacists will also have to register in whichever state they reside in before they start practicing.

Career Choices

Pharmacy school leaves you with abundant career choices. The highest demand for related jobs is in drug stores, where you can act as a liaison between doctors and patients to help people get the medicines they need. Graduated pharmacists can also work for drug companies and hospitals. In few cases, pharmacists might also create their own medications.

Pharmacy technicians are authorized to prepare prescriptions for clients, however they are not permitted to offer advice in regards to the medication or condition it treats. Similar to other healthcare occupations, individuals working in pharmacies are expected to maintain complete confidentiality regarding the records and identification information of the clients filling their prescription orders.

Traditionally, technicians were employed in retail and hospital pharmacies, responsible for counting and labeling medications with precision. As the selection and popularity of ordering and receiving prescription drugs by mail grew, employment opportunities became available in these locations as well. A number of pharmacy technicians acquire their skills on-the-job, but the expectation of employers that an applicant has completed a training program is becoming a preference among pharmacies. Training programs are offered at vocational-technical schools, post-secondary vocational schools and community colleges.

There is no set curriculum for technician training and they generally combine academic coursework with field experience through an internship. Coursework includes areas directly related to the occupation such as inputting and maintaining patient records, medical terminology, how to fill customer orders and an overview of the laws governing pharmacies and pharmacists.

Pharmacy technicians earn an hourly wage ranging from $11-$15 dollars per hour. An employee’s hourly rate is determined by a variety of factors including years of experience, certification status, pharmacy location and whether the technician is unionized. Certification is granted through successfully passing a national examination, a high school diploma or GED and criminal background information.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam is offered by Pearson Testing services nationally and addresses three central content areas for technicians. These subjects are patient customer service, organization and maintenance of medications and records, and administrative responsibilities in a pharmacy. Job applicants are not required to submit evidence of certification or formal training to obtain employment in the field however employers often have greater confidence in hiring someone with certification than one who does not. Certification demonstrates comprehensive understanding of the responsibilities and duties the pharmacy technician will encounter in a pharmacy.

Pharmacy Technician Requirements
Although there is no standard program for pharmacy technician training, most employers look for students that have completed certification or some form of formal training. Programs take an average of three to 12 months are available through community colleges, hospitals, the military, vocational schools and online pharmacy technician schools.

Students in these programs learn medical terminology, how to calculate pharmaceutical figures, keep accurate records and interact with patients in a professional manner. Courses may also discuss pharmaceutical ethics and law. All pharmacy tech students must learn the proper doses, uses, side effects and interactions of the medications they dispense.

Learning often begins in the classroom but concludes in an internship. During this period, students work with professional pharmacists to gain real-world experience. This is an opportunity for students to refine their skills and gain confidence in their work under professional guidance.

Pharmacy technician certification is available through many organizations like the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Students must pass a pharmacy technician test is necessary to gain certification.

Students interested in a career as pharmacy technicians should have excellent customer service skills, an ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment and an eye for detail.

Pharmacy Tech Income
In 2008, the median wage for graduates of pharmacy schools was $13.33 per hour. The highest earners in the field made an average of $18.99 per hour. Generally, certified pharmacy technicians earn more than those without certification.

Job Outlook and Advancement
The job outlook for pharmacy technicians is good. By 2018, the field is expected to grow by 25 percent. While job opportunities continue to grow, advancement opportunities are limited. Pharmacy technicians that work for large hospitals or pharmacies have the most opportunities to advance, but even those at smaller facilities may gain a management position. Some pharmacy technicians undergo extra training in a specialty such as nuclear pharmaceuticals or specialize in chemotherapy medications. Still others use their training to pursue a career in pharmacy sales.

In the field of work, paramedics usually are based in ambulances or emergency response vehicles. A significant amount of paramedics also work in specialist mobile units. The paramedic’s main duty is to provide treatment for patients out of the hospital. Paramedics also are trained to do diagnostic services if needed. For example, if someone has called 911 and the paramedics show up, they need to be able to offer diagnostic services so they can figure out what is wrong with the patient and give emergency treatment if needed. Some paramedics do take hospital based roles when required. Hospital based roles include treatment of minor injuries.

For people aspiring to become paramedics, there is a requirement for medical training. Specific requirements vary from one area to another but the most common knowledge paramedics will have to know consists of handling injuries. For example, in the case of a spinal injury, the paramedic has to know how to safely immobilize the patient and transport them to the hospital without causing further injury.

Paramedics also are required to know how to identify fractures and make splints where applicable. Knowledge about burns; the varying degrees and how to treat them is also a common requirement for paramedics. The knowledge of how to treat burns and be able to recognize how severe the burn is as well as whether it will require more medical attention is essential. In addition, paramedics are usually trained in obstetrics, which involves caring for a woman’s reproductive system while she is pregnant. Duties could include assistance in childbirth and being able to recognize when a woman needs medical attention for herself and her unborn child.

In addition to training in routine medical equipment maintenance procedures and medical emergencies, paramedics are also trained in emergency vehicle operations. In order to be able to drive an emergency vehicle such as an ambulance, the person has to know every route possible in the region. Paramedics are trained in the emergency medical field so they can help people in a time of crisis.

Eligibility for certification as a pharmacist technician

To become certified, a candidate must be a high school graduate with no felony convictions in general, and no drug-related convictions of any category in particular. In addition, anyone whose license was previously revoked or suspended in his or her state cannot qualify for certification in this capacity.

Note that formal training of any kind is not required for certification, but it is definitely preferred by employers. It takes from six months to two years to complete such training, and on-the-job training lasts from three months to a year.

Types of certification

Pharmacy technicians can receive national certification from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Also, those who are interested in this career should contact the pharmacy board in their state to determine if they are required to earn national certification. To be recertified, a certified technician must complete 20 hours of additional training every two years, 10 of which can be earned under the supervision of a pharmacist.

What you should know about the test

The certification examination evaluates the candidate’s familiarity with the various activities that are part of a pharmacist technician’s job. The national exam, which the PTCB administers, contains three types of questions—maintaining medication systems, pharmacist assistance, and pharmacy practice management. It is a computer-based, multiple-choice test, and practice exams may be found on the PCTB’s website. By way of comparison, the computer-based exam administered by the NHA covers various topics, such as the role of technicians, controlled substances, and drug labeling.

Outlook for the future

The need for pharmacy technicians should increase steadily and significantly through 2018, based to a great extent on the need our aging population has for prescription medication. According to the BLS, the role of pharmacy technicians will include the assumption of various administrative functions, including answering phone calls, and seventy-five percent of the job openings will be found in retail settings. As mentioned above, job prospects are brightest for pharmacy technicians who have been certified.

The primary role of a medical transcriptionist is to convert voice recordings from doctors or other health care professionals into text. In most cases, they listen to the recording and type the text, often using a foot pedal to control the recording speed. When transcriptions are initially completed, they are typically submitted to the physician or supervisor for review, then corrected and finalized. The documents they produce include everything from autopsy reports to medical histories to academic research studies.

Medical transcription training is not required, but many employers seek trained employees. Transcription programs are available at public and private colleges and vocational institutions throughout the United States. Programs usually require one or two years.

Medical transcriptionists can obtain certification from the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity. There are two levels of certification. An individual may obtain the Registered Medical Transcriptionist qualification by completing an education program and passing the AHDI level-1 examination. A second accreditation as a Certified Medical Transcriptionist may be obtained with two years’ experience in acute care, and experience with a variety of types of documents and procedures after passing an examination.

Since medical procedures are constantly changing, medical transcriptionists often need to update their skills and recertify. Typically, recertification requires 30 credits of continuing education credits every three years.

Medical transcription training focuses on three areas. First, keyboarding and computer skills are essential. These skills include typing, document management and word processing proficiency. Second, strong language skills, particularly with spelling and grammar, are critical. Last but not least, medical transcriptionists must be intimately familiar with medical terminology and have a strong basic knowledge of biology and medicine.

The employment outlook for medical transcriptionists is good. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that job growth in the field will keep pace with growth in the labor force. Certified individuals will likely have the best opportunities. Wages for medical transcriptionists depend mostly on experience and the type of work. Nationwide, the median wage was $15.41 per hour for 2008, or about $31,000 annually on a full time basis. Wages are currently highest in laboratories and lowest in business support services.

While working from home is a popular advantage to some medical transcription jobs, this option isn’t available for everyone. Nonetheless, Medical transcription training is likely to remain popular in the coming years.

Medical billing is a subspecialty of medical coding. A medical billing technician gets reimbursement requests ready for processing so that insurance companies will pay them. Medical coders are necessary to help complete the billing process. They code medical procedures and services from healthcare providers so that insurance companies will pay the invoices. Medical billers are important to physicians and other healthcare providers. They help them receive payment for their services from insurance companies.

Classes

To become a medical billing technician, you must first complete medical billing classes. Many of these courses are available through community and vocational colleges. Courses are also available online through both public and private educational institutions. Courses may be completed online or on-campus. Courses include medical terminology, billing technology and medical billing. Some courses may include taking administrative assistance courses, as some medical billers do not exclusively do medical billing in their jobs.

Certification

Medical billing certification is the next step to working as a medical billing technician. The American Academy of Professional Coders offers the Certified Professional Coder certification for entry-level billers. This certification level requires you to take a test covering CPT, HCPCS and CD-9-M diagnosis codes. The next certification is the Certified Professional Coder-Payer, which requires passing a test and having two years of coding experience. The final certification is the Certified Professional Coder-Hospital, which also requires an exam. You can also become certified in Anesthesia, General Surgery, Pediatrics and several other areas of medical billing. You can also seek specialty certification from The Board of Medical Specialty Coding (BMSC), Professional Association of Health care Coding Specialists (PAHCS), and The National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA).

Salary

A medical billing career can provide a decent income and is projected to grow faster than the average for other jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS estimated that as of 2010, the average annual salary for a medical record and health information technician was $35,010, or $16.83 per hour. The median salary per year was $32,350, or $15.55 per hour. The 90th percentile made at least $53,430 per year, or $25.69 per hour.

People interested in completing an medical technician program should complete a wide range of high school classes related to health, science, medicine, and driver’s education. They should also strongly consider tagging along with a local rescue or ambulance team so they can get genuine firsthand information about the field. They can earn useful real-world experience and work with volunteer units that perform emergency medical procedures like CPR and first aid.

Those who truly want to pursue this line of work should sign up for emergency medical technician training. These programs include as many as 120 instruction hours and 10 internship hours provided by the local police, health, and fire divisions. These hours are mandatory by every state that provides certification.

After the completion of this program, students will have to complete the EMT exams given by their state or the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. The title of basic Registered EMT is awarded to those who pass. There is training still to be done, though, and students will have to finish another 35 to 55 classroom hours in addition to more advanced practical work to prepare for the next exam and certification at the intermediate level. Students may only be able to become registered paramedic EMTs after they have finished a difficult program from 800 to 2,000 classroom and internship hours. After a few years of working on the job, EMTs will have to maintain their registered status by completing regular refresher classes and undergoing recertification when needed.

Many accredited on-campus and online schools are available to provide learning opportunities for people who want to work this high risk job. Accredited programs give them the ability to gain the essential education and experience. Emergency medical technician training that is available online can be completed at a number of levels and in a number of career areas.

Many TV shows that focus on emergency rooms will show the exciting, glamorous side of working as an emergency medical technician (EMT); however, this is not always a truthful portrayal. EMT work can be very stressful and dangerous but it can also be slow and repetitive. That is why it is an ideal decision to volunteer with an ambulance unit to get a good close-up and see what the job entails.