Prescription drug use is on the rise throughout the world. In fact, the global pharmaceutical market is expected to reach a $1.5 trillion valuation by the year 2023.
With more people relying on prescription drugs than ever before, there’s become an increased need for pharmacy workers (specifically, pharmacy technicians) who can help to dispense these drugs and keep customers satisfied.
If you’ve been considering becoming a pharmacy technician, now’s the time to jump into the game.Â
Read on to learn more about some of the best online pharmacy technician schools you can attend from anywhere in the world.
Why Become a Pharmacy Technician?
There are lots of reasons why a career as a pharmacy technician is worth pursuing. The following are some of the greatest benefits this career has to offer, though:
Lots of Job Opportunities
The pharmacy technician field is growing at an incredible rate in the U.S. and abroad. It’s not showing any signs of slowing down, either.
If you want a career that has a lot of job openings, this is a good one to consider. In most cases, you’ll be able to start working almost immediately after you finish your schooling.Â
Multiple Employment Options
There are lots of different places where you can work as a pharmacy technician, too. The most obvious option would be to work in a pharmacy at a drugstore or grocery store.
There are plenty of other options, though. You could work at a hospital or doctor’s office, for example, or even in a prison dispensing medications to inmates.
Help People Every Day
No matter where you choose to work, as a pharmacy technician, you’ll have an opportunity to help people every day.
You won’t just be giving them the medication they need to feel better. You’ll be providing them with a great customer service experience when they’re sick and in need of positive interactions.
Competitive Salary and Benefits
As a pharmacy technician, you also get to enjoy a competitive salary and benefits.
It’s true that this position isn’t as high-paying as some other jobs in the healthcare field. When you consider the short amount of time you have to spend in school to start working in this field, though, the pay is still very fair.
Many pharmacy technician employers also offer great healthcare benefits that make the position even more worthwhile.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Pharmacy Technician?
The process of becoming a pharmacy technician is quite fast, too. Most people can complete the necessary coursework and obtain their license within about one year.
If you’re looking for a career in the medical field but don’t have the time or money to spend several years in school, working as a pharmacy technician is a good alternative. You’ll be able to hit the ground running and start earning money much sooner.
Benefits of Online Pharmacy Technician Schools
There are plenty of pharmacy technician courses available at community colleges and technical schools.
You don’t have to attend classes in-person in order to get the necessary education to become a pharmacy technician, though. You can attend classes online, when it’s convenient for you, and get the same education as your peers.
There are lots of other benefits that come with attending school online, including the following:
Save Money
Online courses are often less expensive than in-person courses. You can use ebooks in many cases, too, which cuts down on costs even more. You also don’t have to worry about paying for gas to commute to and from school.Â
Stay Focused
When you go to a traditional school and have set times when you need to be in class, it’s not always easy to stay focused. You might be worried about other things you need to do that day or when you’re going to get home to your kids, for example.
When you attend online classes, though, you can sit down and work when you’re less likely to be distracted and can dedicate yourself 100 per cent to your studies.
More Networking Opportunities
Attending school online allows you to connect with people from all over the country (and even all over the world). As a result, you have more opportunities to network and learn about job opportunities that you might not have heard about otherwise.
Faster Pace
Often, with online courses, you can take things at your own pace and work ahead if you want to. This can help you to get your education done and start looking for employment sooner than if you were taking classes in a more traditional setting.Â
How to Choose an Online School
If you’re going to attend an online pharmacy technician school, it’s important to vet the school carefully to make sure it’s legitimate. Here are some tips that will help you ensure you’re getting a top-notch education:
Consider Accreditation
One of the first things you need to look for when choosing an online pharmacy technician school is their accreditation. Only consider schools that are accredited by a professional organization.
Every country has its own accrediting bodies. Look up the ones that are relevant to you and make sure the school you’re thinking about has a seal of approval from the correct organizations.
Look at Their Timeline
Find out what the timeline is for the average student to complete the course, too.
If you’re a very ambitious student, you may also want to look at the way the course is laid out and check to see if it’s possible for you to work ahead and graduate faster.
Think About the Price
Of course, money matters as well. Find out what the tuition is for each school you’re considering and think about what you can afford to pay. Remember that there are lots of ways to pay for school, though.
Check to see if they offer financial aid or scholarships, for example. You may also want to look into taking out a student loan. Since you’ll be able to start working soon, you ought to be able to pay off your loan with relative ease.
Read Reviews
Do a little digging to see what other people have to say about the pharmacy technician program a particular school offers. This will help you decide whether or not it’s a good fit for you.
Ask About Employment
Don’t forget to look up what the school will do to help you land a job after you’ve finished the program.
Do they have connections with any local pharmacies and work with them to place students? Do they provide opportunities for you to network and get to know employers in your area?
The Best Online Pharmacy Technician Schools
If you’re ready to pursue your pharmacy technician certification online, you’re probably wondering which school you ought to choose.
There isn’t just one right answer to this question. However, the following are some of the best online pharmacy technician schools to consider:
Casper College
Casper College, located in Casper, Wyoming, is one of the most thorough pharmacy technician programs for you to consider.
It takes about 10 months from start to finish, and you can do almost all of it online, with the exception of a few visits to the central Wyoming campus for lab courses.
You’ll also have opportunities to connect with professionals and develop a deeper understanding of the pharmaceutical industry as a whole.
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina’s Central Piedmont Community College also offers a great online pharmacy technician program.
It uses special pharmacy software to provide students with hands-on learning experiences and new opportunities to develop the skills needed to be a great pharmacy technician.
In most cases, the program takes about five semesters to complete. It’s a bit longer than others, but the knowledge you’ll receive is well worth the extra time.
Canadian Career College
If you’re looking for an accredited Canadian program, you can’t go wrong with the program offered by Canadian Career College.
This program, which spans across three semesters, allows students to take all their theory-based courses from the comfort of their own homes. You will have to travel to the CCC campus at the end of each semester for skills training, though.
John Academy
For those who want to attend a UK-based online pharmacy technician school, the program provided by John Academy is a great option.
This one-year program is open to students aged 16 and older, and it will provide you with all the skills you need to work as a pharmacy technician in the UK.
John Academy gives its students access to a variety of resources, as well as 24-7 support, so you’ll be able to get your questions answered at any time.
Apply to One of These Schools Today
As you can see, there are lots of different online pharmacy technician schools for you to choose from. Are there any schools on this list that appeal to you?
If the answer is “yes,” now’s the time to take action. Take your future into your own hands and apply today. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to a new and exciting career!
Do you want to learn about other healthcare-related careers? If so, check out some of the articles in the Health and Business sections of our site today for more information and advice.
