Pharmacy Technician Schools in New Jersey - NJ
New Jersey is one of the few states that have set requirements for pharmacy technicians. While most states do not require any sort of licensure or certification, New Jersey has chosen to hold its pharmacy technicians to higher standards. Registration with the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy is required for all pharmacy technicians. Registration is different from licensing in that there are not as many requirements, but you do have to be registered in order to practice. To be licensed, there are generally more academic and training requirements. Part of the reason for the New Jersey registration requirement is that the profession is continuing to grow and require more workers. The better-equipped pharmacy technicians are, the better they are able to serve the increasing aging population’s medicinal needs. Pharmacy technicians are needed in retail pharmacies, hospitals, and beyond. Of the 285,000 currently employed pharmacy technicians in the United States, about 71% of them work in retail pharmacies, grocery stores, department stores, and mass retailers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the profession to grow by 32% by 2016, making the growth much higher than the average occupation. While the hours can be long and include nights, weekends, and holidays, the benefits of helping others and can not be outweighed.
Continuing Education Requirements for a Pharmacy Technician in the New Jersey
Pharmacy technicians in New Jersey are required to renew their registration with the Board of Pharmacy biennially. However, there are no additional continuing education requirements for renewed registration. If a pharmacy technician in New Jersey wishes to pursuer further education on his or her own, he or she should check with his or her employer for additional learning opportunities as well as check community college classes. Some employers may also offer continued education financial assistance or reimbursement.
Pharmacy technicians who are certified online or through New Jersey pharmacy technician schools, must renew their certification biennially. Recertification requires 20 hours of continuing education courses within the 2-year certification period. At least one hour of the continuing education must be in pharmacy law and up to 10 hours can be earned on the job under the direct supervision and instruction of a licensed pharmacist.
Advancement Opportunities for a Pharmacy Technician in New Jersey
There is much room for advancement in the pharmaceutical field in New Jersey. With significant job training and experience, pharmacy technicians can be promoted to supervisory rolls and mentorship rolls to train newer pharmacy technicians with less experience. Pharmacy technicians may also choose to pursue advancement into specialty positions; however these may require additional education or training. There is also a large market for experienced pharmacy technicians in sales.
Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Pharmacy Techs in Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Edison and Woodbridge, New Jersey may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Bergen Regional Medical Center, Atlanticare Regional Medical Center and Hackensack University Medical Center.