West Virginia Pharmacy Tech Schools & Certification

West Virginia, an Appalachian state known for the logging and coal mining industries, is also growing quickly in terms of its healthcare career offerings. The largest employers in West Virginia include hospitals and other healthcare employers, including WVU Medicine, CAMC Health System, Mountain Health Network, and a variety of pharmaceutical companies. Pharmacies and clinics hire many qualified pharmacy technicians.

Health ailments like cancer, diabetes, and low birth weight, are more common in West Virginia than in some other states. Additionally, the need for senior clinical care is rising in the state. As these issues increase, so does the need for pharmacy technicians in local pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals. In order to fulfill these roles, candidates are expected to meet a set of criteria.

West Virginia Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

In West Virginia, pharmacy technicians can perform tasks under the guidance of a licensed pharmacist. These tasks may include interacting with patients, taking inventory, and processing client data. This is a career that requires significant trust and experience, which is why meeting the certification requirements is so important.

These are the requirements pharmacy technicians in West Virginia must meet:

• Hold a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years old
• Complete an approved pharmacy technician training program and provide a certificate from the institution showing completion or 500 hours of certified training while working with a pharmacist
• Certification via approved national certification exam, either the PTCB or ExCPT
• Certified statement regarding alcohol and drug abuse
• Agree to a state and national fingerprint-based criminal record check
• Complete an application and include a photo of your face

Pharmacy technicians must renew their licenses regularly as well. Renewal may require continuing education as well as a renewal fee. It is important not to miss a renewal date to avoid fines.

The application is available online. Submitting the application requires candidates to provide proof of training, exam scores, and more. Incomplete forms may be denied immediately.

West Virginia Pharmacy Technician Careers & Employment Outlook

Pharmacy technicians work in a growing field. The employment of this career field is projected to grow by four percent in the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is about as fast as the average for all occupations in the United States. As a large portion of the population of West Virginia grows older, more prescription medications are necessary. Higher rates of chronic disease, including diabetes, can also increase the demand for prescription medications.

Additionally, pharmacy technicians have taken on a greater role in operations because pharmacists have also taken on more responsibilities. Technicians perform a variety of tasks now they didn’t in the past, including collecting information, preparing medications, and packaging materials. They often act as a liaison between patients and pharmacists.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, West Virginia employs about 3,270 pharmacy technicians. The mean annual salary for West Virginia pharmacy techs is about $30,380, which is just slightly lower than the average for the country. The southern West Virginia area is one of the nonmetropolitan areas with the highest concentration of pharmacy technician jobs.

West Virginia Schools That Offer Pharmacy Technician Training Programs