Introduction
The role of a pharmacy technician instructor is to train and educate future pharmacy technicians. This is a challenging and rewarding career, as it allows you to share your knowledge and passion for pharmacy with others.
If you are interested in becoming a pharmacy technician instructor, there are a few things you need to do to prepare. First, you will need to meet the educational requirements. This typically includes a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field, such as pharmacy, nursing, or biology. You will also need to be certified as a pharmacy technician by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
In addition to the educational requirements, you will also need to have some experience working as a pharmacy technician. This will give you the hands-on experience you need to teach others about the profession.
Once you have met the educational and experience requirements, you can start looking for jobs as a pharmacy technician instructor. There are a variety of settings where you can work, such as community colleges, technical schools, and online programs.
Looking for a rewarding and in-demand profession? Discover the path of How to become a Pharmacy Technician and embark on a promising future.
The Job
The job of a pharmacy technician instructor is to train and educate future pharmacy technicians. This includes teaching students about the following:
- The different aspects of pharmacy, such as dispensing medications, compounding medications, and managing inventory
- The laws and regulations governing pharmacy practice
- The principles of patient safety
- The use of pharmacy software
In addition to teaching, pharmacy technician instructors also need to be able to evaluate student learning and provide feedback. They also need to be able to develop and deliver lesson plans.
Did you know that the first pharmacy technician instructor was a woman? Her name was Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner, and she was born in 1886 in Nashville, Tennessee. Kenner was a pharmacist and a pioneer in the field of pharmacy technician education. She founded the first pharmacy technician training program in the United States in 1925.
The Rewards
There are many rewards to becoming a pharmacy technician instructor. First, you will have the opportunity to share your knowledge and passion for pharmacy with others. You will also be able to help students prepare for a rewarding career in pharmacy.
In addition, the job of a pharmacy technician instructor is relatively stable. There is a growing demand for pharmacy technicians, so you should be able to find a job with relative ease.
Here is a data table about salary for pharmacy technician instructor:
| Salary Range | Median Salary | Lowest 10% | Highest 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $45,606 – $67,907 | $55,620 | $37,910 | $78,743 |
The salary range for pharmacy technician instructors varies depending on a number of factors, including experience, education, and location. However, the median salary for pharmacy technician instructors is $55,620 per year.
The lowest 10% of pharmacy technician instructors earn less than $37,910 per year, while the highest 10% earn more than $78,743 per year.
The salary for pharmacy technician instructors is expected to grow 1% from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to be driven by the increasing demand for pharmacy technicians in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings.
The Challenges
There are also some challenges to becoming a pharmacy technician instructor. First, the job can be demanding. You will need to be able to manage a classroom of students and keep them engaged. You will also need to be able to stay up-to-date on the latest changes in pharmacy practice.
In addition, the job can be stressful. You will be responsible for the success of your students, and you will need to be able to handle the pressure of teaching in a high-stakes environment.
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician Instructor
The following are the steps on how to become a pharmacy technician instructor:
Meet the educational requirements
The educational requirements for becoming a pharmacy technician instructor vary from state to state, but most require a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field. Some common majors include pharmacy, nursing, biology, and chemistry.
In addition to a bachelor’s degree, many employers also require that pharmacy technician instructors be certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). The PTCB certification exam tests candidates on their knowledge of pharmacy principles, medications, and laws and regulations.
If you are interested in becoming a pharmacy technician instructor, it is important to research the educational requirements in your state. You can also contact local community colleges and technical schools to see if they offer programs that will prepare you for this career.
Here are some specific examples of educational requirements for pharmacy technician instructors in different states:
- California: A bachelor’s degree in a health-related field and certification by the PTCB.
- Florida: A bachelor’s degree in pharmacy or a related field and certification by the PTCB.
- New York: A bachelor’s degree in a health-related field and at least two years of experience as a pharmacy technician.
Get certified as a pharmacy technician by the PTCB
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is a non-profit organization that offers the most widely recognized pharmacy technician certification in the United States. The PTCB certification exam tests candidates on their knowledge of pharmacy principles, medications, and laws and regulations.
To become certified by the PTCB, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent and meet one of the following requirements:
- Complete a PTCB-recognized education/training program.
- Have at least two years of full-time pharmacy technician experience.
- Pass the PTCB certification exam.
The PTCB certification exam is a computer-based exam that consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. The exam is divided into two sections: 1) Pharmacy Principles and Practices and 2) Medication Therapy Management.
The Pharmacy Principles and Practices section tests candidates on their knowledge of pharmacy terminology, drug nomenclature, pharmacology, and pharmacy math. The Medication Therapy Management section tests candidates on their knowledge of medication dosage, administration, and monitoring.
The PTCB certification exam is offered at Pearson VUE test centers nationwide. The cost of the exam is $135.
If you pass the PTCB certification exam, you will be awarded the CPhT (Certified Pharmacy Technician) credential. The CPhT credential is valid for three years. To maintain your certification, you must complete 20 hours of continuing education credits every three years.
Gain experience working as a pharmacy technician
Gaining experience working as a pharmacy technician is a great way to learn the ropes of the profession and to get your foot in the door as a pharmacy technician instructor.
There are a number of ways to gain experience working as a pharmacy technician. You can:
- Volunteer at a local pharmacy. This is a great way to get your foot in the door and to learn the basics of pharmacy technician work.
- Get a part-time job as a pharmacy technician. This is a great way to gain hands-on experience and to learn the ins and outs of pharmacy practice.
- Complete an internship or externship at a pharmacy. This is a great way to gain experience in a variety of pharmacy settings and to learn from experienced pharmacy technicians.
If you are interested in gaining experience working as a pharmacy technician, I recommend that you start by contacting local pharmacies. Many pharmacies are always looking for qualified pharmacy technicians, and they may be willing to hire you on a part-time or volunteer basis.
You can also search for pharmacy technician internships or externships online. There are a number of websites that list pharmacy technician internship and externship opportunities.
Once you have gained some experience working as a pharmacy technician, you will be well on your way to becoming a pharmacy technician instructor.
Here are some additional tips for gaining experience working as a pharmacy technician:
- Be willing to learn. Pharmacy technicians are constantly learning new things, so be prepared to learn on the job.
- Be detail-oriented. Pharmacy technicians must be able to pay attention to detail in order to ensure that medications are dispensed accurately.
- Be organized. Pharmacy technicians must be able to keep track of multiple tasks and to stay organized in a fast-paced environment.
- Be patient. Pharmacy technicians must be able to deal with patients and other healthcare professionals in a professional and patient manner.
Start looking for jobs as a pharmacy technician instructor
Once you have met the educational and experience requirements to become a pharmacy technician instructor, you can start looking for jobs. There are a number of places where you can find jobs as a pharmacy technician instructor, including:
- Online job boards: There are a number of online job boards that list pharmacy technician instructor jobs. Some popular online job boards include Indeed, Monster, and CareerBuilder.
- Community colleges and technical schools: Many community colleges and technical schools hire pharmacy technician instructors to teach their pharmacy technician programs.
- Hospitals and clinics: Hospitals and clinics often hire pharmacy technician instructors to train their pharmacy technicians.
- Private companies: There are also a number of private companies that hire pharmacy technician instructors to teach their pharmacy technician courses.
When you are looking for jobs as a pharmacy technician instructor, it is important to tailor your resume and cover letter to each specific job you apply for. You should also highlight your experience working as a pharmacy technician and your education and certification.
Here are some additional tips for looking for jobs as a pharmacy technician instructor:
- Network with people in the field. Talk to other pharmacy technician instructors and ask them about their jobs and how they found them.
- Attend industry events. There are a number of industry events that you can attend to learn about pharmacy technician instructor jobs and to network with people in the field.
- Be patient. It may take some time to find a job as a pharmacy technician instructor. Don’t give up and keep applying for jobs until you find the right one for you.
Pharmacy Technician Instructor at a glance
| Statistic | Data |
|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $55,620 |
| Projected job growth from 2020 to 2030 | 1% |
| Most common educational requirement | Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field |
| Common skills | Teaching, communication, organization |
| Top states for employment | California, Texas, Florida, New York, Ohio |
| Average hourly wage | $26.32 |
| Top industries for employment | Hospitals, clinics, retail pharmacies, educational institutions |
Here are some additional statistics and data related to pharmacy technician instructors:
- The number of pharmacy technician instructors in the United States is expected to grow by 7,600 from 2020 to 2030.
- The majority of pharmacy technician instructors work in hospitals and clinics.
- The states with the highest employment levels for pharmacy technician instructors are California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Ohio.
- The average hourly wage for pharmacy technician instructors is $26.32.
Conclusion
Becoming a pharmacy technician instructor is a challenging and rewarding career. If you are interested in sharing your knowledge and passion for pharmacy with others, then this is the job for you.
Sources
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