If you want to enter the healthcare field, you have two options: the traditional route with four years in college, followed by residency, or pursuing a trade skill and entering allied healthcare.
The second option is more viable for people coming from a non-technical background, as it does not require a lot of time investment, and most courses are designed with beginners in mind.
However, not all pharmacy technician schools are the same. It is important that you choose one that is accredited by PTCB or, at the very least, by ACCET. Here’s why.
Reason 1: Reliable and Accurate Education
Healthcare in itself is a delicate field, where one mistake can result in critical damage. However, if you are trained by a reputed institution, you’ll know how to act and carry out procedures accurately.
This is why it is essential to choose a program provider that is accredited, as it means it is regulated by third-party authorities and must adhere to industry standards.
For students, this means:
- Classes cover updated pharmacy practices.
- Lessons prepare you for daily tasks in different work settings.
- Employers see your certification as solid and reliable.
Reason 2: Increased Employability
As mentioned above, mistakes are unacceptable in this field. Therefore, employers prioritize candidates who either have hands-on experience or are trained under with a reputed training provider like CCI Training Center.
By seeing an accredited training institution on your resume, employers know that they are hiring someone who will not make mistakes and can be trusted, which means:
- Better chance to get hired right after school
- Work options in hospitals, retail stores, or clinics
- Room to move into higher roles as you gain experience
Reason 3: Exam/Certification Ready
Now, if you happen to train with any institute, chances are that you’ll only have theoretical knowledge, and you wouldn’t be able to clear the required examinations or gain certifications.
ACCET and PTCB-accredited training providers offer pharmacy training courses that are designed to help students clear the examinations. As most of the programs cover the following in the course:
- Pharmacy laws and rules
- Types of drugs and what they do
- Basic math for dosage and measurement
- Patient safety and record systems
Reason 4: Access to Financial Aid
When pursuing a new career, the cost of education can often be a significant hurdle. A key, often overlooked, benefit of choosing an accredited pharmacy technician school is the access it provides to financial assistance.
Institutions that meet the stringent standards set by recognized accrediting bodies like ACCET are often eligible to participate in federal and state financial aid programs. This eligibility is crucial, as it allows students to apply for grants, scholarships, and low-interest loans that might otherwise be unavailable.
Reason 5: Externships
It doesn’t matter if you choose an online or offline accredited program; both are required to provide externships to the students. What this means is that an accredited program understands this necessity and typically integrates a crucial component: the externship. This is a period of supervised, hands-on training in an actual pharmacy—be it a hospital, retail chain, or compounding facility.
Reason 6: Return on Investment
As mentioned above, by training with an accredited program, you are gaining hands-on skills, which are sought after by employers, and boost your employability. These two aspects combined significantly make investing in an accredited pharmacy program worth it.
Final Thoughts
By selecting a program accredited by agencies like PTCB or ACCET, you are doing more than just enrolling in a school. You are choosing a vetted, reliable, and employer-recognized pathway that ensures you receive superior education, gain essential practical experience, and have the best possible chance of immediate employment and long-term career growth.