If you are interested in becoming a pharmacy technician in the state of Illinois, this overview will let you know how to pursue your first job in this in-demand occupation. Career counselors are highlighting careers as a pharmacy technician because the job opportunities are growing and so are the wages.
As a pharmacy technician, you will work under the supervision of a registered pharmacist assisting in a variety of responsibilities. These might include handling and sorting medication deliveries that arrive at the pharmacy, taking patient information and entering it in their computer file, counting and packaging medications at the direction of the pharmacist, reading medical charts and transferring prescription information, handling patient transactions including payment or insurance, and much more.
Illinois Requirements for Pharmacy Technicians
Illinois offers 2 levels of credentialing for pharmacy technicians. You can become a licensed pharmacy technician or a certified pharmacy technician. Here are the basic guidelines for both occupations.
Licensed Pharmacy Technician
1. You must be at least 16 years old.
2. You must have a high school diploma, GED, or be a student in high school.
3. You must submit an application for Pharmacy Technician Licensure.
Those with a pharmacy technician license will be given very basic duties in a pharmacy. If you desire greater responsibility and the opportunity to earn better wages and advance in your career, the next level is one you should consider.
Certified Pharmacy Technician
1. You must be at least 18 years old.
2. You must have a high school diploma or GED.
3. You must show proof of having passed a formal pharmacy technician training program or proof that you have received the equivalent training from the Pharmacist-in-Charge of the pharmacy.
4 You must show proof that you have passed an examination accredited by the National Organization for Competency Assurance. The 2 most prominent accredited examinations are those given by the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians, or ICPT, and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, or the PTCB.
To review the application to become a licensed or certified pharmacy technician, here is a link to the State of Illinois website. It also spells out the qualifications we have outlined here: http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/apply/forms/PH-T.pdf
Certified Pharmacy Technicians, or CPT’s, have the training and credential to make a career of this occupation. In fact, many employers will only consider CPT’s when hiring. It makes sense to become a CPT if you intend to stay in the job or use the job as a stepping stone to becoming a pharmacist, nurse, hospital administrator, or other related profession.
Conclusion
There has never been a greater demand for pharmacy technicians. Growth in the industry is expected to be more than 20% in the next decade and wages might increase along with the demand. These facts are motivating many to pursue pharmacy technician training and begin a career in this rewarding profession.
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