Pharmacy Technician Programs in Iowa
As medical research has advanced year after year, the amount of prescription medications on the market has increased substantially. As more and more adults and children in Iowa use medications, it has become extremely important for pharmacies to have staff members who understand medication interactions and know how important dosing is.
If you’d like to work in this industry, contact the schools below to learn more about pharmacy technician programs in Iowa.
Pharmacy techs are an incredibly important part of the health care system in Iowa. With their attention to detail and passion for customer service, pharmacy technicians can meet the needs of customers and free up pharmacists’ time to fill and compound medications.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Iowa
As is the case with most health care careers, nothing is more important in this career path than education. By learning how medications are created, prescribed, sold, and administered, you can develop the knowledge you need to be a great resource in your pharmacy.
To reach these goals, you must complete a variety of courses. You may build your basic skills with courses like Orientation to Pharmacy Practice, Institutional Pharmacy Practices, and Community Pharmacy Practice. These courses prepare you for higher-level classes like Therapeutic Agents of Body Systems, Computerized Drug Delivery Systems, and Pharmacy Law and Ethics.
Clearly, you must be well-versed in many different areas to be a skilled pharmacy technician Iowa. This program requires a lot of memorization, since you are expected to know how medications may interact, generic and name brand versions of each medication, and the traits of each medication.
Clinical practice is a crucial component of this degree program. By getting into real pharmacies and learning from pharmacy techs, you can make sure that you are ready for the world of pharmacy technology and work on any areas that may need improvement. If you perform well during your clinical courses, you may even have a job offer before graduation.
Working as a Pharmacy Technician in Iowa
As you find out what it’s like to work as a pharmacy technician in Iowa, you may be very excited to start your career. Across the state, the average salary for a pharmacy technician is $28,600 per year (O*Net, 2014). Anticipated job growth in Iowa is exciting. Between 2012 and 2022, O*Net hopes to see a 21% increase in Iowa pharmacy technician job openings. This job growth rate is slightly higher than the national average, indicating Iowa’s high demand for pharmacy techs (O*Net, 2012).
Of course, to benefit from Iowa’s great job outlook, you have to get pharmacy technician certification Iowa. The first step involves taking a thorough certification exam via the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, which certifies pharmacy techs across the country. You can have proof of your certification sent to the Iowa Board of Pharmacy and apply for your statewide license.
Are you ready to learn more about how to become a pharmacy technician in Iowa? Get started today by contacting pharmacy tech schools in Iowa for more information.