How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in North Carolina
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 25 percent increase in job growth for pharmacy technicians through 2018. In North Carolina, pharmacy technicians work under the direction of a licensed pharmacist and assist with filling prescriptions, record keeping and customer service. North Carolina law requires pharmacy technicians to register with the state once they are hired as a technician. However, technicians enrolled in a pharmacy program during their employment are not required to register.
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Instructions
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Preparation
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Graduate from high school or obtain the equivalent credential. All applicants must have at least a high school education to be hired and registered as a pharmacy technician in North Carolina.
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Enroll in a pharmacy technician training program. Although not required to be hired as a technician, training can help a candidate obtain a better paying position. Technician programs take six months to two years to complete and are taught through community colleges, vocational schools, the military and hospitals. North Carolina technical schools use the term "pharmacy technology" when categorizing a technician program.
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Improve your administrative and customer service skills. Previous work as a receptionist, an administrative assistant or a customer service representative helps a pharmacy technician with daily responsibilities. Job seekers without these skills benefit from classes in personal communication and word processing offered through community colleges and vocational schools.
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Apply for open technician jobs in retail or mail-order pharmacies. Technician jobs can be found through your training program adviser, by visiting or calling local pharmacies and inquiring about a job or through online job posting sites. Pharmacy staffing agencies and the human resources departments of North Carolina hospitals are also options for locating a pharmacy technician job.
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Complete training provided by the pharmacy manager. Once you are hired, North Carolina law requires that you receive on-the-job training from your pharmacy manager. The training must include pharmacy terminology, calculations, laws and regulations and proper record keeping.
Registration
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Locate the registration application for new technicians. The application is available for electronic submission at the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy website. Read through the application and gather the data you need to complete it. In addition to personal information, you also will need to obtain your employer's pharmacy permit number and the pharmacy manager's license number.
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Obtain an electronic photo for upload to the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy website. The file must be under 1MB in size and the image itself no larger than 2-by-2 inches (passport size). The photo must be attached to the registration application at the time you complete and submit the form.
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Submit the completed registration form with attached photo. Applications for registration must be sent within 30 days of being hired as a technician.
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Mail the board a check for your $30 non-refundable registration fee.
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Notify the board when you change jobs, residences or names. Technicians have 30 days to report a change in employers by filling out a Change of Employment Notification Form. Name changes are reported by completing a Change of Name Notification Form. Forms are available at the board's website. Address changes must be made through the board-registered technician's online user account.
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Renew your license annually. Renewal occurs Dec. 31 each year. Applicants have a 60-day grace period after Dec. 31 to renew their technician registration. Applicants missing the 60-day renewal period must apply for reinstatement. Reinstatement requires a payment of $60 and the completion of an electronically submitted reinstatement form available at the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy website.
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Tips & Warnings
Although not required for registration with the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam may be helpful in obtaining better paying work as a pharmacy technician. The exam is offered through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and is not associated with the state pharmacy board.
References
- North Carolina Board of Pharmacy: Registration Requirements for Technicians
- North Carolina General Assembly: Enacted Legislation; Pharmacy Technicians; Responsibilities of Pharmacist-Manager
- United States Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Outlook Handbook, Edition 2010-11; Pharmacy Technicians and Aides
- North Carolina Board of Pharmacy: Registration of Pharmacy Students Who Are Employed as Pharmacy Technicians
