Pharmacy Schools, Technician Training, and Online Degree Programs
Accredited Online Pharmacist Certification Programs
There are a number of different pharmacy jobs that require an online pharmacy degree program. These jobs offer above-average employment growth and excellent wages in the coming years, along with a diverse choice of work environments, ranging from local pharmacies to large hospitals. For pharmacy professionals, there is also the prospect of income levels well above the national average.
There are three different types of workers with pharmacy training:
- Pharmacy technicians
- Pharmacy aides
- Certified Pharmacists
Pharmacy Technician Description
Although no certification or degree is officially required, many pharmacies favor job candidates with some education. some states also have certification requirements. Overall, the educational level is higher than for pharmacy aides but lower than pharmacists. Pharmacy technicians perform clerical and administrative tasks like pharmacy aides, but also use perform higher-level duties like preparing prescriptions. Pharmacy technicians usually are paid more than pharmacy aides.
Pharmacists Training and Certification Requirements
The highest level of the pharmacy profession is becoming a pharmacist. Pharmacists hold responsibility for filling prescriptions, dispense medications, advise patients on usage, and communicate with doctors.
These important responsibilities demand a higher educational level. Pharmacists must have a Pharm.D. degree from an accredited school. Two-to-four years of prior college experience is usually required for acceptance into a Pharm.D. program.
All states require that pharmacists be licensed, which requires passage of the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam, and in many states the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam is also required.
Certified pharmacists earn well above-average wages, with a median income of $100,480 as of 2007. While starting as a pharmacy aide or technician may be a pragmatic way to get into the business quickly, taking advantage of online programs to continue education with the goal of becoming a pharmacist will enhance your earning potential.
Get more information about Pharmacy Technician careers.
