In today's fast-paced healthcare industry, pharmacy technicians play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. As a pharmacy technician, you will be responsible for assisting pharmacists with dispensing medication, managing inventory, and providing exceptional patient care. If you're interested in pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician, but don't know where to start, you're in luck. We've compiled a list of 10 free pharmacy tech courses to help you jumpstart your career.
What Do Pharmacy Technicians Do?
Before we dive into the list of free courses, let's take a closer look at what pharmacy technicians do. Pharmacy technicians, also known as pharmacy techs, work under the supervision of licensed pharmacists to perform a variety of tasks. Some of the key responsibilities of pharmacy technicians include:
- Assisting pharmacists with dispensing medication
- Managing inventory and ordering supplies
- Processing prescriptions and handling patient data
- Providing exceptional patient care and answering questions
- Maintaining accurate records and reports
Benefits of Becoming a Pharmacy Technician
Becoming a pharmacy technician can be a rewarding and challenging career choice. Some of the benefits of becoming a pharmacy technician include:
- Job stability and security
- Opportunities for advancement and professional growth
- Competitive salary and benefits
- Variety of work environments, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics
- Opportunity to make a positive impact on patients' lives
10 Free Pharmacy Tech Courses
Here are 10 free pharmacy tech courses to help you get started on your career path:
1. Pharmacy Technician Training Program
The Pharmacy Technician Training Program offered by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is a comprehensive course that covers the basics of pharmacy technician practice. The course includes modules on pharmacy law, pharmacology, and pharmacy operations.
Course Highlights:
- 12 modules covering pharmacy law, pharmacology, and pharmacy operations
- Self-paced online learning
- Continuing education credits available
2. Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Study Guide
The PTCB Study Guide is a free online resource that provides an overview of the certification exam and study materials. The guide includes practice questions, study tips, and a comprehensive outline of the exam content.
Course Highlights:
- Comprehensive study guide for the PTCB certification exam
- Practice questions and study tips
- Self-paced online learning
3. Pharmacy Technician Orientation
The Pharmacy Technician Orientation course offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is a free online course that provides an introduction to the role of pharmacy technicians. The course covers topics such as pharmacy law, pharmacology, and patient communication.
Course Highlights:
- 6 modules covering pharmacy law, pharmacology, and patient communication
- Self-paced online learning
- Continuing education credits available
4. Pharmacy Math
The Pharmacy Math course offered by the University of Oklahoma is a free online course that covers the mathematical concepts used in pharmacy practice. The course includes topics such as measurement, dosage calculations, and IV flow rates.
Course Highlights:
- 10 modules covering mathematical concepts used in pharmacy practice
- Self-paced online learning
- Continuing education credits available
5. Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians
The Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians course offered by the University of Florida is a free online course that covers the basics of pharmacology. The course includes topics such as pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicology.
Course Highlights:
- 12 modules covering the basics of pharmacology
- Self-paced online learning
- Continuing education credits available
6. Pharmacy Law and Ethics
The Pharmacy Law and Ethics course offered by the University of Georgia is a free online course that covers the legal and ethical aspects of pharmacy practice. The course includes topics such as pharmacy law, ethics, and patient rights.
Course Highlights:
- 10 modules covering pharmacy law, ethics, and patient rights
- Self-paced online learning
- Continuing education credits available
7. Pharmacy Operations
The Pharmacy Operations course offered by the University of Texas is a free online course that covers the basics of pharmacy operations. The course includes topics such as pharmacy management, inventory control, and patient communication.
Course Highlights:
- 12 modules covering pharmacy operations and management
- Self-paced online learning
- Continuing education credits available
8. Sterile Compounding
The Sterile Compounding course offered by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is a free online course that covers the basics of sterile compounding. The course includes topics such as aseptic technique, sterility testing, and quality control.
Course Highlights:
- 10 modules covering sterile compounding and aseptic technique
- Self-paced online learning
- Continuing education credits available
9. Non-Sterile Compounding
The Non-Sterile Compounding course offered by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is a free online course that covers the basics of non-sterile compounding. The course includes topics such as compounding techniques, quality control, and patient safety.
Course Highlights:
- 10 modules covering non-sterile compounding and quality control
- Self-paced online learning
- Continuing education credits available
10. Pharmacy Technician Certification Review
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Review course offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is a free online course that provides a comprehensive review of the pharmacy technician certification exam. The course includes practice questions, study tips, and a comprehensive outline of the exam content.
Course Highlights:
- Comprehensive review of the pharmacy technician certification exam
- Practice questions and study tips
- Self-paced online learning
Gallery of Pharmacy Technician Courses
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of a pharmacy technician?
+Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of licensed pharmacists to perform a variety of tasks, including assisting with dispensing medication, managing inventory, and providing patient care.
What are the requirements to become a pharmacy technician?
+The requirements to become a pharmacy technician vary by state, but typically include completing a training program and passing a certification exam.
How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?
+The length of time it takes to become a pharmacy technician varies depending on the training program and certification requirements, but typically takes several months to a year.
In conclusion, becoming a pharmacy technician can be a rewarding and challenging career choice. With the right training and certification, pharmacy technicians can work in a variety of settings and play a critical role in patient care. We hope this article has provided you with the information you need to get started on your career path. Remember to take advantage of the free pharmacy tech courses listed above to jumpstart your career.