Pharmacy Technician Certification Exams

In order to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician, you must pass a national certification exam. Two of the most popular pharmacy technician certification exams are the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and the Examination for Certified Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT).

The PTCE is a computer-based, 90 question multiple choice exam offered by the PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board). The exam assesses the core responsibilities of the technician, including the responsibilities to both the pharmacist and the client, how to maintain medical inventory and control systems, and their role in overall administration. There is no limit to the amount of times the exam can be taken, but there is an exam fee for each attempt.
The ExCPT provides immediate results to candidates and is offered by the ICPT (Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians).

5 Tips to Increase Your Medical Coding and Billing Salary

Medical Billing and Coding are two of the most sought after professions in the medical industry, likely to increase in demand by at least 3% each year until 2016. The typical salary for a medical biller or coder is generally between $26,000 and $33,000 per year. However, this salary can be influenced in a variety of ways. Here are 5 tips to increase your medical coding or medical billing salary:

1. Location, Location, Location: Geographic location plays a part in your salary. Medical billing and coding salaries are higher in cities, where the cost of living is higher.
2. Institution: Medical billers and coders who work at large government hospitals or nursing homes make more than those who work for a private specialist center or small insurance corporation.
3. Education: The higher your education and certification, the higher your salary. Amount of training and work experience also play a role.
4. Specialization: Those who specialize in cancer registry, physiological registry, mental sickness registration may reach a higher salary range.
5. Industry: Pharmaceutical; Professional, Labor or Political Organizations; Federal Government; and Business Support Services professionals earn more than your average medical biller and coder. Pursuing a career in any of these industries could result in a higher salary.

Paying for College Through an Online School

Online schools, such as Kaplan Solutions, know that you have financial restraints, including bills and family expenses. This is why online schools offer payment plans and other options to help fund your education.
Another way to cut the costs of online education is to have a third party reimburse your education. If you are currently employed, you may qualify for employer tuition reimbursement.
Of course, online students can also benefit from scholarships, grants and loans that traditional brick and mortar students take advantage of.

Job Spotlight: Pharmacy Technician Salary

Pharmacy Technicians play a pivotal role in pharmacies, retail, hospital, and mail-order settings. But what is the average Pharmacy Tech's salary? The average Pharmacy Tech makes $27,710 a year according to the 2008 Occupational Employment Statistics. However, Pharmacy Techs working in hospitals can expect a higher salary of about $32,180 per year.

Invest in Yourself with Continuing Education

With today’s troubled economy, now is more important than ever to reinvent and invest in yourself. Don’t become the next victim of the widespread layoffs; take proactive steps to ensure you are the best, and the most qualified, at what you do.
Think of continuing education as “career maintenance.” You wouldn’t drive your car for 10 years without getting an oil change, so why would you still be running your career on outdated qualifications? Investing in your education is one of the best ways to secure your job and advance yourself.
Thankfully, Kaplan Solutions offers continuing education courses online at your convenience. Completing an online continuing education course on your own time in the convenience of your own home couldn’t be easier. Schedule your career maintenance today with Kaplan Solutions!

Poll – “Would YOU Recommend Online Continuing Education to a Friend?”

Kaplan Solutions wants YOUR opinion! If you have experience with online continuing education with Kaplan or any other educational provider, we want to know if you would recommend continuing education online to a friend.

Respond to the question “Would YOU Recommend Online Continuing Education to a Friend?” in the comments!

Course Spotlight: Pharmacy Technician Certificate

Pharmacy Technicians are at great demand due to ever increasing prescription medications. The pharmacy technician continuing education program at Kaplan Solutions teaches students to succeed in the medical field and teaches students medical and pharmaceutical terminology so they can serve as a valuable liaison between medical professionals, pharmacists and patients. The pharmacy technician training offered by Kaplan Continuing Education is designed to prepare graduates to pursue careers in the ever expanding health care field.

Courses include:
• Introduction to Pharmacy
• Fundamental Pharmacy Concepts
• Pharmacology
• Top 200 Drugs
• Pharmaceutical Calculation, and more!