How to become a Pharmacy Technician Presented by the PPA Officers

Registering for the PTCE Step 1: Go to Step 2: Go to the “Certification” tab and click “Apply” Step 3: Go to the Apply Section and Click “online” Step 4: Choose the one of the 3 tabs Step 5: Fill out the application The Application cost $129 After you have completed it you will get an ATT Letter

Registering for the PTCE Step 6: You will get your ATT Letter to the that you have provided. Step 7: Look under “Scheduling Your Appointment” and click the link provided ( Step 8: Click on one of the tabs to schedule the exam online or by phone If you are scheduling online you will be required to create a web account

Registering for the PTCE Once you have created your account you will be prompted to choose a Pearson testing center close to your zip code (there is 1 center in Dallas on North Central Expressway). Make sure you bring an ID card that matches with the name on the ATT letter Arrive 30 minutes early to the exam so they can screen you.

Review materials for PTCB/PTCE Books: – Mosby's Review for the PTCE – Delmar's PTCE Review – PTCE Review and Practice Exam

Review materials for PTCB/PTCE Websites: – Pharmacy Tech Study( study.com/index.html) study.com/index.html – The student doctor network ( ?t= ) ?t= APP: PTCB Exam Review

Studying with Collin College 7 week course (15 sessions) 7-8 hours a week Offered during summer Materials, books, and workbooks are provided, and get to keep them Taught by a pharmacist and allows hands-on experience  Filling capsules w/ the punch method  Preparing an IV Prerequisites: High School Diploma or GED Equivalent Cost: $999 (includes books)

Collin College (continued) Session 1: Pharmacy and Healthcare and Pharmacy Technician Session 2: Pharmaceutical Terminology Session 3: Drug Regulations and Controls Prescriptions, Session 4: Pharmacy Calculations Session 5: Pharmacy Calculations Session 6: Routes and Formulations Session 7: Parenterals Session 8: Compounding Session 9: Basic Pharmaceuticals Session 10: Factors Affecting Drug Activity & Information Session 11: Inventory Management and Financial Issues Session 12: Community, Hospital and Other Pharmacies Session 13: Drug Classifications Session 14: Drug Classifications Session 15: PTCB Exam Review and Final Exam

Studying with Richland College Has a more extensive full- semester course Consists of 256 hours of classroom and laboratory instruction and a 96-hour supervised externship. It can be completed in one semester by attending day classes full time. Cost: $1495 (excluding books)

256 hrs 96 hrs Richland College (continued)

Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Taken via computer at Pearson 90 multiple choice questions 10 of which do not count towards your score 1 hour and 50 minutes ~10 minute computer tutorial before

PTCE Material According to ptcb.org 66% of the exam consists of questions about assisting the pharmacist in serving patients. 22% of the exam consists of questions about maintaining medication and inventory control systems. 12% of the exam consists of questions about participating in the administration and management of pharmacy practice. REMEMBER each test is different!

Topics to know… Math: unit conversions, dilutions/concentrations, and simple math (ratios, fractions, proportions, etc.) ex: 1oz=?mL At least top 50 commonly used drugs (brand, generic, classification, and use) helps to learn common generic suffixes ex: ¿-olol? Laws and administrative organizations ex: ¿Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act 1938 created ___? SIG codes/abbreviations ex: 2gtt OS BID

State Registration Pharmacy Techn. Official State Website Select whichever licensure that you are pursuing.

State Registration Pharmacy Techn.

State Registration Pharmacy Techn. The shown picture is of the page when logging in after registration.

State Registration Pharmacy Techn. -Once you’ve placed your application the State will have to do a background check to make sure you haven’t committed crimes/felonies. -Assuming you did not, the process takes about a week to verify and then you will have to fingerprint. Next slide.

State Registration Pharmacy Techn. All of the information for fingerprinting services are provided by from the state after they verify you. Simply make an appointment with a schedule center, EX. I went to L-1 Enrollment Services MAKE SURE YOU FINGERPRINT ASAP Without state registration you are unable to work in a pharmacy, so this is basically a deal breaker when finding positions.

State Registration Pharmacy Techn. Once fingerprinted simply wait for the state to send you your registration certificate! The whole process for registering with the state is appx 3-6 weeks varying by time of the year.

Continuing Education (Part I) Must earn a minimum of 20hrs in pharmacy-related topics. At least 1hr of the 20hrs must be in pharmacy law (in accordance with the Texas Administrative Code, Title 22, Part 15, Chapter ) You can earn a max of 10hrs from your workplace under the direct supervision of the pharmacist(s). But these credits cannot be earned by working 10hrs at regular duties.  Supervisor has to fill out a form for you If you are a college student, you can use 1 college course during the 2 year certification period and receive 15hrs of CE. Classes include chemistry, biology, A&P, math, etc. If you are audited, you must submit your official transcript. ntID=1857

Continuing Education (Part II) Renewal may be completed online 100-days prior to the expiration date. But if before, will receive an error message. Pharmacy technician trainees are not required to obtain CE hours. TSBP will randomly audit the records of pharmacy technicians for verification of reported continuing education credit. Free CE  ce.htmlhttp:// ce.html  Online recertification application fee: $40 To recertify go to: /HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID= /HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=4362

Benefits of Being Certified Gain experience from working in a pharmacy Build a relationship with a pharmacist (ideal for a recommendation letter!) UT waives 200 hours of work experience Incarnate Word requires 80 hours of experience