The PTCB exam or pharmacy technician certification board exam is a test that determines whether or not you are qualified to work in a pharmacy as a pharmacy technician. Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists in preparing and handing out medications. That means they need to know the basics of how medications work in the body so that they can explain to customers how to use the medication properly and the side effects that the patient might have.
The board certification exists to make sure pharmacy techs are qualified to handle medication and assist pharmacists. This is crucial because the pharmacy field can involve life or death situations. If someone gets the wrong medication, it could be detrimental to their health. Learn more about the pharmacy tech exam below and how you should prepare for it.
Should You Attend Pharmacy Tech School Before Taking the Exam?
It is a good idea to attend pharmacy technician school before you try to take the certification exam because there is a lot you need to know to be a pharmacy tech. Pharmacy technicians have to know about pharmacy operations including software, technology, and other procedures. Pharmacy techs also need to have a basic knowledge of medications and how they impact the body. This knowledge is essential to handing out prescriptions and explaining symptoms and side effects to customers. As a pharmacy tech, you also have to understand HIPAA regulations so that you can do your job properly.
As you can see, pharmacy technicians are required to have a lot of knowledge to do their job. It is not usually required to attend a pharmacy technician program, but it can be a good idea to help you prepare to pass your certification exam.
What Can You Expect from the PTCB?
The pharmacy technician certification exam is a computer-based exam that is administered at different test centers throughout the nation. This test helps determine whether or not people are qualified to work as a pharmacy technician.
This exam is a timed test that has a two-hour time limit. It is also a multiple-choice test with each question giving four possible answers, but only one of the answers is the correct or best answer. In this exam, there are 90 questions. Only 80 of these questions are scored, and the other 10 are unscored. This certification exam was developed based on a job analysis study and experts in the pharmacy technician practice. The exam covers several knowledge areas that include the ones listed below.
- Pharmacology for Technicians – Here, you will be tested on drug interactions, dosage strengths, side effects, and more.
- Pharmacy Law and Regulations – Law and regulations will include proper documentation, safety standards, and more.
- Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding – This involves infection control and handling and disposal requirements.
- Medication Safety – Here, error prevention, medication guide requirements, and more are discussed.
- Pharmacy Quality Assurance – Quality assurance refers to risk management, documentation, and problem resolutions.
- Medication Order Entry and Fill Process – Medication labeling, packaging, and filling processes are covered here.
- Pharmacy Inventory Management – These covers topics like medication ordering, receiving, storing, and removal.
- Pharmacy Billing and Reimbursement – This includes healthcare plans and the different ways of billing.
- Pharmacy Information System Usage and Application – This section covers computer applications and systems used as a pharmacy technician.
Do You Need a PTCB Exam Prep Course?
You have to decide if a PTCB exam prep course is the right option for you, but there are some reasons where it could be a good idea. For example, if you are not great at taking tests, an exam prep course could be a great option. Exam prep courses like the one for the PTCB not only help you review the information, but they also give you test-taking tips and strategies so that you can improve your test-taking abilities. The pharmacy tech certification exam prep course can also be a good idea if you want to have more peace of mind when it comes to your board exam. You have a greater chance of passing your certification if you take a prep course, so this could be a good way to give yourself peace of mind about taking the test.
A pharmacy tech board exam prep course gives you the chance to review the materials with practice exams that mimic the certification test. A prep course will also give you strategies and techniques for passing the test, so it could be a good option for you.
The FVI School of Nursing and Technology has a pharmacy technician program and a pharmacy tech certification exam prep course. Both of these could be good options for you if you are looking to start your career as a pharmacy technician. Working in a pharmacy setting requires some technical knowledge and experience. It can be a difficult exam to pass without specific knowledge and preparation. Click here to learn more about the different programs that FVI offers you for getting started working in the pharmacy tech field.
For more information about graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website:
https://fvi.edu/consumer-information/.
