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Do You Need a College Degree to Become a Pharmacy Technician?
You do NOT need a college degree to become a Pharmacy Technician. In fact, most states allow individuals to begin working as pharmacy technicians as soon as they pass a certification exam or complete a pharmacy technician training program.
In California, pharmacy technicians must pass and complete a California State Board of Pharmacy approved training program such as the Pharmacy Technician Program offered by UEI College. That said, to enroll in the Pharmacy Technician Program, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent and you must be 18 years of age or older.
If you're interested in becoming a Pharmacy Technician, consider enrolling in UEI College's Pharmacy Technician Program. Our program is short-term and will prepare you for a career as a Pharmacy Tech in less than a year. Contact us to learn more about the program. Monthly enrollment into the program is available.
Do You Need a High School Diploma to Become a Pharmacy Technician?
Yes, a high school diploma or equivalent is necessary to become a pharmacy technician. Many pharmacy technician training programs will not enroll students without a high school diploma. To enroll in UEI College's Pharmacy Technician Program, you must have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. If you are currently in high school and interested in working in a pharmacy, you may consider taking extra courses in chemistry, biology, and mathematics as this knowledge may benefit you in a pharmacy setting.
What Skills Do You Need to Succeed as a Pharmacy Technician?
Every career requires a set of skills. Some skills are technical skills that can be picked up through training. Other skills are considered soft skills that depend on a person’s personality and work ethic. Though soft skills may come naturally to some people, they, too, can be learned through patience and practice.
Some of the technical skills pharmacy technicians will need to have the following:
- Ability to perform basic calculations and counting
- Knowledge of compounding medications
- Knowledge of state and federal pharmaceutical laws
- Ability to work with insurance companies
- Computer skills
- Knowledge of sterilization procedures
The soft skills a pharmacy technician will need are:
- Customer service: Pharmacy technicians in a retail environment act as the liaison between the pharmacist and the patient, answering basic questions and filling prescriptions. This requires a great deal of patience as you come face-to-face with customers.
- Attention to detail: Filling prescriptions and handling medications require careful accuracy to ensure patients have the dose they need and nothing they don’t.
- Dependable: Pharmacy technicians often work normal business hours, and patients rely on them to be there to fill their prescriptions and answer their questions. This position is a good fit for anyone who likes the comfort of stability.
- Levelheaded: If you have ever sat in a long line at a retail pharmacy, you know that pharmacies can sometimes get very busy. This, however, is no excuse for making mistakes. A good pharmacy technician must be able to problem solve and handle stress in a calm manner.
How To Become a Pharmacy Technician?
Becoming a pharmacy technician may be easier than you expect. It can be done in less than a year in just four simple steps:
Step 1: Earn your high school diploma. A high school diploma is the minimum education requirement to become a pharmacy technician.
Step 2: Complete a training program. Most states require pharmacy technicians to be certified through a national exam. The best way to quickly obtain the knowledge needed to pass the exam is through a hands-on, accredited training program.
Step 3: Become licensed. Many states require pharmacy technicians to become licensed before working as pharmacy technicians.
Step 4: Apply for positions.
Learn more about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician.
Enroll in UEI College's Pharmacy Technician Program
There’s no excuse to wait any longer to begin training for a career you can be proud of. If you dream of working alongside a pharmacist as a pharmacy technician, UEI College has all the support and resources to make starting a career in this field possible.
Our Pharmacy Technician training program offers students all the fundamental knowledge and experience necessary to prepare for an entry-level position as a pharmacy technician in as few as ten months. Give us a call to enroll in our Pharmacy Technician Program.
