It takes a lot of drive and determination to become a licensed pharmacist. Every state in the US requires doctors of pharmacy to have a license, which can be obtained only after successfully graduating from a college that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and passing the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (some states have additional licensure requirements).

The doctorate degree in pharmacy can take up to 7 years or more to complete, including 2-3 years of related study prior to enrolling in a 4-year graduate program. Most accredited colleges will require applicants to pass the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) in order to qualify for enrollment. Some good preparation for enrollment can be very helpful, such as pre-pharmacy courses in mathematics and natural sciences, including chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

If you are looking to gain pharmacy certification, it is important to understand that certification is not a requirement for pharmacists, except in cases where they may wish to be certified in a specific area of pharmaceutical medicine, such as psychiatric, oncology, nuclear, or nutritional support. However, those seeking to become pharmacy technicians (pharmacy assistants) must be certified.

Look to medical schools and teaching hospitals to offer training at the graduate level. These colleges and universities can provide you with the expertise you will need to be a successful practitioner of pharmaceutical medicine.

To find out more about becoming a pharmacist, contact several individual Pharmacy Collegeson our website today and submit a request for more information. You will soon be able to determine the best course of action to become a doctor of pharmacy.

One of the reasons for the increase in the need for pharmacy technicians is because pharmacists want to have more one-on-one, hands-on time with their patients. Therefore, pharmacy technicians assume more responsibility with the prescriptions and medications handed out.

In addition, more people are getting older and living longer, creating an even bigger need for pharmacy technicians to handle the increase in the number of prescriptions. This also creates more of a need for pharmacists to provide excellent patient care and technicians to apply their knowledge and take on more responsibility with pharmaceuticals. Pharmacists need dependable technicians working alongside them.

What does a pharmacy technician do? Under the direct supervision of licensed pharmacists, technicians are responsible for many duties. Here is a description of what they do:
# Label prescription containers and bottles
# Count medication
# Check accuracy of prescription
# Measure medication
# Keep track of insurance information
# Help patients fill out insurance forms
# Check patient medical records

A pharmacy technician career will continue to be in demand as an aging and growing population requires more medications. This will create an increased need for qualified pharmacy technicians to perform such tasks as counting medication, managing the shelves and handling insurance paperwork. Opportunities will exist in many different settings – creating flexibility, stability and reward for pharmacy technicians nationwide.

Candidates who want to become pharmacy technicians should pass the National Pharmacy Technician Examination and have a National Pharmacy Technician Certificate. This exam will enhance the capability of an individual to become a pharmacy technician. The candidates who have a high school diploma and a pharmacy trained certificate will be recognized as pharmacy technicians. This exam is held at various locations and several times enabling the candidates to attend with convenience. Pharmacists always look for pharmacy technicians with certificates as they are aware that certified technicians will have the right skill and alertness to take care of patients.

Pharmacy technicians who are certified should recertify for every two years. During this period of two years, they must work at least for 20 hours in the fields related to pharmacy. Only people who have completed these minimal hours with pharmacy oriented work will be eligible for recertification. During these 20 hours, they can attend lectures or do collegial work, but specific time should be allotted strictly for concentrating and knowing about the laws regarding pharmacy. These hours can be utilized for earning money too. They can earn from various sources like taking classes at pharmacy colleges or by conducting programs for pharmacy technician training candidates.

The pharmacy training schools mold the candidates perfectly to become pharmacy technicians. They are taught and made responsible to be active, honest, and dedicated towards their job. They should be ready to take instructions and also work with responsibility as their job involves risk of lives. Certified pharmacy technicians should be able to work without any guidance.