4 Facts about Medical Billing and Coding You Never Knew

While a prevalent and crucial set of career roles within the medical industry, healthcare information specialists like medical billing and coding professionals are not well known to the outside world. For their function, their job perks, and even the other things that are expected of them in their role, medical billing and coding specialists can be a mystery to many people who do not have intimate knowledge of the healthcare industry. So, if you’re one of the many who want to know more about these two professions, stay tuned! There’s more to learn right here, with four facts you may have never known.

Fact #1: Medical Billing and Coding are Separate Jobs

While they are often mentioned together and are, in fact, trained or categorized under the same wide umbrella, medical billing and medical coding are different. Together, they’re known as medical records and health information specialists, but the difference lies in what specific information they’re meant to manage.

Medical billing, as the name implies, focuses on the back end of transactional medicine: filing insurance claims, verifying patients’ information, and even appealing claims to make sure that healthcare facilities are paid for services rendered. Whether that payment comes from the insurance companies or from the patients themselves, this whole ecosystem of information is built on privacy and accuracy. The former is regulated for patients’ and providers’ protection, especially from social engineering and fraud, while the latter is ensured because it means the difference, at times, between full coverage and none at all. When you have been a patient dependent on said insurance coverage, you can imagine for yourself how nerve-wracking it might be to receive the wrong bill, or a bill that looks right, but bills a patient way more than they need to be paying. As a medical billing specialist, it’s your job to make sure that this doesn’t happen, and that all three parties (the patient, the provider, and the insuring entity) are made whole at the end of the day.

Medical coding, on the other hand, doesn’t deal with the billing side, but rather focuses on the organization and accuracy of treatments documented, as well as documentation of other things, like patient conditions, that can affect treatment and are reproduced not only in billing — but also on a medical report. Just like a medical billing professional, a coder in the healthcare industry is charged with the burden of accuracy: if a code is incorrectly used, it means that someone may be wrongly paying thousands of dollars out of pocket or receiving an inappropriate treatment. Utilization of coding protocols, like the ICD-10, makes coding a part of a huge standardized system that makes the speed and efficiency of modern medicine possible.

Fact #2: You Can Work Anywhere You Like, Anytime You Like

If you’re looking for an office job, something that has a steady 9 to 5, you might see medical billing and coding as professions that suit you. However, if you’re looking to work from home, choose hours that you want, or even travel for work — well, you’re still looking in the right place. Along with being a steady day job, medical billing and coding specialists can also find employers that allow remote work, which is very common. If you take on a career in the field, you may even be given the option to work hours of your choice — because of how independent the work is, it’s not imperative to work according to someone else’s needs, as long as a certain number of hours is met per week. In addition to all this, there are positions as medical coders or billing specialists that take a person traveling from city to city, much like traveling nurses do. In any case, no matter what lifestyle you’re trying to maintain, these two jobs are good options — because they offer stability to those who want it, and offer freedom to those looking for that instead. It’s a versatile career path, to say the least!

Fact #3: You Can Fast Track to the Medical Job You Want

Like any other industry, it helps when you have education and/or experience. But it’s no secret that doctors require years of school on top of a four-year degree. Meanwhile, nursing also has some steep requirements in a lot of fields. But with medical billing and coding, your profession is easily accessible: you can get professional training for your chosen career in as little as 11 months in some medical billing and coding programs. On top of that, when you’ve received your training and certification, you have a job that possesses upward mobility. When you continue to hone your skill set on the job as a coder or billing specialist, you can eventually get the experience you need to apply for other medical professions as well, with a basis of knowledge that can only improve your candidacy overall.

Fact #4: You’ll Feel Good About Your Work

Medical industry professionals of any kind are in a unique position to help people in need. Although you may not be treating the sick and injured with your own two hands, you’re a crucial part of the healthcare industry. Your work in medical billing and coding can mean the difference between someone paying way too much for important care, or them receiving the best possible treatment with reasonable coverage. However you decide to contribute and be a part of the industry, just remember: you make a difference just by doing your job! If you’re looking to get started, find out how you can facilitate the healing process in just 11 months, right here at Ultimate Medical Academy.

This is a blog entry by David Young.

How Can You Decide If Your Parents Need Specialized Home Care?

Credit: Vlad Sargu Via Unsplash

One of the trickiest parts of growing up is watching your parents grow older and the vulnerability of them needing on-going support. It seems like time passed in the blink of an eye. Once upon a time, your parents were pushing you around in a stroller. The next thing you know, you are helping them move around in their wheelchair.

Your parents have most likely helped you through thick and thin, and it is time to do the same for them. Realizing that your parents need retirement or specialized care home does not mean you do not care about them and want to give up the responsibility. It is simply accepting life as is and moving forward. Sometimes it may be challenging to support your parents 24/7, but you must figure out how they can remain safe, what their care needs are, and what the best environment is to meet these needs. 

Here are some ways you can decide if your parents need retirement home care.

Explore Your Nursing Home Options

Before you go ahead and talk to your parents, identify the extent of their needs and figure out what the potential home options are. If you find the home beforehand, you can provide your parents with all the information they need. Call a couple of places and find out all of their services, care levels, and costs, if required. Retirement homes such as Sagecare offer specialized care for seniors with dementia, and will be able to guide you through the entire process.

If you discuss your concerns with the home, they will give you proper advice and inform you if they think your parents need to move to an assisted facility, memory support care, or even independent living. If they have Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, they need regular care because memory loss can affect people in different ways. It is a good option to consider places like Sagecare, where there is high staffing to resident ratio, enabling them to provide constant care.

 Credit: StartupStockPhotos Via Pixabay

Have “The Talk” with Your Parents

Remember when you were a teenager, and your parents had to give you “the talk” about the birds and the bees? You probably remember it being awkward. But this talk is different. It is still a challenging task, but it doesn’t have to be weird.

Sit down with your parents and introduce the nursing home idea. Tell them why you think they need to become residents of a care facility. Do not make the decision and drop your parents off there. Ask for their opinion and if they disagree, try to explain your point of view. Some parents may agree right away, while others may get disheartened and have a tough time accepting it. Whatever the possible reaction is, you need to do your best as their child. Involving your parent into the process and identifying the unmet needs, eases the transition as they can relate to your anxiety and need for providing care successfully for them. 

 Credit: Kampus Production Via Pexels

Observe Every Move

One of the best ways to figure out if your parents need senior care is by observing their actions. If you are not around to see what problems they may be facing, you might not be aware that they need help or what kind of help.

Please note whether they can eat properly, walk around without help, and take the proper medication on time. If your parents are struggling to perform daily tasks, are behaving differently, or need reminders to take medication, they might require help. Assisted living can provide round-the-clock comprehensive care.

The final decision to go ahead and move your parents to a retirement home can be a daunting task. But, if you choose the right place, your mind will be at ease, and your parents will be safe too.

This is a guest blog entry.

Signs That You Need Braces

The use of braces is common for both children and adults. With the help of this dental procedure, crooked teeth can get fixed. Apart from the regular braces with wires, you can also consider the use of Invisalign braces. Regency House Dental, a private dental clinic in Cheltenham for over two decades, suggest this procedure. Once you see the signs that braces are necessary, consider using them.
 

Use of braces among children
 

Most parents have their children use braces to fix the problem at a young age. It’s better to start young while the issues are still easy to solve. The problem is that it might be difficult to tell if children need braces. When they have crooked or crowded teeth, they might still be baby teeth. There’s no need to do anything about the problem yet. However, apart from these signs, you can also check if your children are breathing through the mouth. If so, it can be due to a dental problem.
 

Another sign is when you hear their jaw clicking or making other sounds. Children biting their tongue or thumb sucking might also have dental problems that braces can fix. If you notice these problems, go to the dentist and ask for recommendations.
 

Braces for adults
 

Apart from children, adults might also need to use braces. Adult braces are becoming more common these days, and there are positive results. Crooked and crowded teeth are the primary reasons. You may also need them if you have difficulty flossing in between the teeth or you keep cutting your tongue because of your teeth.
 

When you have difficulty closing your mouth or pronouncing certain sounds because of your teeth’s position, braces can also solve them. Notice your jaw when chewing or upon waking up in the morning. If you notice weird noises, you can consider using braces. Otherwise, there will be stress or fatigue on your jawline. 

Seeing a dentist
 

Children should start seeing a dentist for the first time on or before the age of seven. At this point, the dentist can determine if braces are necessary. It’s better to identify the problems sooner. The best age to start braces differs from one person to another. The treatment should be between the ages of 9 and 14. These are the ages when they begin to form their permanent teeth. However, the dentist will decide the right time since it’s just not possible in some instances.
 

It's also not too late for adults to try using braces. There are valid reasons why they didn’t do one during childhood. It could be due to the cost or inconvenience. Visit the dentist and see if braces will still work for you. After the diagnosis, you will receive a referral to go to an orthodontist. However, in many instances, a referral isn’t necessary to get braces. 

It takes a while to see the results. Once you already fixed the problem, you will feel more confident. With Invisalign braces, it won’t feel uncomfortable. People won’t even notice you’re wearing one. You might have to spend a bit more, but it’s worth the price.

Image: https://unsplash.com/photos/U1gvhqVQ2kQ

This is a guest blog entry.

What You Should Know About CBD Hemp Flower

If you are just finding out about hemp flowers now, you may have gotten word about the increasing popularity of this impressive form of alternative medicine. You may also be wondering if CBD hemp flowers have a potential benefit for you and your conditions. If so, here you will find some important information you will need to make an enlightened decision about this plant for your needs.

The good news is you are starting with research and basing your decisions off of information from Pure Hemp Farms. This is always important to getting the best results from your alternative health plans. Information will lead you to the right products and manufacturers for your needs.

Health Benefits Of CBD Hemp Flowers

As a rule of thumb, anyone selling hemp flowers and products will be marketing a specific content of CBD, also called cannabidiol. CBD is an cannabinoid or a substance natural to the cannabis plant called Cannabis sativa. Recently, CBD has been purported to contain a wide variety of health benefits.

If you are looking for a good product for treating any of the conditions CBD has been found to address, you will need to begin by looking at the true CBD content. This is often provided on product labels, always favor those manufacturers who have their products tested by third-party laboratories

Some of the health benefits provided by CBD include:

Neuroprotective Effects – this means that CBD can work to preserve and restore conditions of neural structures and the general health of the brain.

May Relieve Symptoms of Various Health Conditions because of the special way that CBD interacts with the body, there is evidence that CBD may be an important part of treatments that address dystonia, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and many more. It has also been found effective for treating those with bipolar disorder.

Proven Effective Relief for Child Epilepsy

A CBD based product called Epidiolex has already been formulated and released to the market for addressing children’s epilepsy in two forms. CBD soothes the nervous system and can mitigate the harshness of seizures.

May Have Potential as Anti-Cancer Treatment

While we are still waiting for clinical evidence to support the claim, there has been considerable speculation that CBD could be a worthy treatment for cancer. It is already an important supplementary treatment as CBD has been found to soothe the nauseousness that typically accompanies chemotherapy.

May Relieve Acne

It has widely been believed that CBD helps to control the production of sebum and can help to lower inflammation and the visual effects of acne.

Some of the other health benefits accredited to CBD include:

Relief of Chronic Pain

Relief of  Anxiety and Stress

Relief of  Insomnia

Relief of High Blood Pressure

Has been used to Treat Heart Disease

Relief for Treat Drug Addiction

Treatment for  Diabetes

How CBD Hemp Flower Can Be Used

Smoked

If you buy the dried CBD flower, you can smoke it the same way you would a cigarette. Simply crumble the flower into a cigarette rolling paper and roll the cigarette into a tube around the dried herbs. The best thing about smoking CBD herb is that the effects can be felt very quickly.

Incorporated Into Food Recipes

Another good way to enjoy all the benefits of CBD is by incorporating your CBD herb into your favorite recipes. From salads to baked goods you can lace almost any recipe with this delightful flower that doesn’t feature an unpleasant or very strong flavor. This route of delivering the CBD substance to the body is going to take a little longer as the CBD will have to pass through the powerful metabolism of the liver.

Possible Side Effects of Use of CBD Hemp Flower

It should be noted that using CBD will result in some side effects. One of the most concerning is the way that CBD supplementation will affect the function of the liver. As the CBD use changes the enzymes of the liver inflammation can be the result and this can cause damage to the liver.

Some of the other possible effects of using CBD flower include the following:

Dizziness

Vomiting

Red Eyes

Nausea

Fluctuations of Mood

Dry Mouth

It is also important to never take CBD products if you are already taking a specific type of medication to treat that condition. If you are considering supplementing a current medicinal plan, you should discuss your plans with your general practitioner.

Your doctor will be able to provide advice and supervision for your new form of supplementation. Furthermore, you will be able to discuss the process and monitor the progress with professional advice and insights. If you notice any of the side effects begin to present themselves, it is time to stop taking CBD and consider another way to address your conditions.

Conclusion

While it may seem fun and challenging to grow your own CBD hemp flowers, there are some good reasons to trust the superior production methods and legal status of professional producers and product manufacturers. But if you know what you are doing, growing your own CBD flowers may be a good idea for you.

Remember that when trying natural or herbal treatments, the results are always better if you are following a healthy diet and lifestyle. Smoking, drinking and high amounts of processed foods will counteract the benefits of CBD. Furthermore, the best results will come in time after you have made CBD supplementation an intrinsic part of your life.

This is a guest blog entry.

Top 3 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Medical Marijuana Dispensary

With each passing day, more and more states are continuing to legalize the sale and sale of marijuana and hemp-based products. As it is, the cannabis market in the United States is valued at approximately $6 billion. As restrictions on the operation of dispensaries continue to ease, the sales of both medical and recreational marijuana are expected to contribute a whooping $7.3 billion to the economy by 2022.

In the coming years, there are likely to be a higher number of dispensaries in each town as state authorities approve more operating licenses for cannabis dealers in a bid to plug the revenue shortage brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the increase in the number of dispensaries, many cannabis users still have a hard time identifying a quality dispensary.

If you are looking to start using cannabis as a recreational drug or you have recently been advised to use medical marijuana by your doctor as a way of mitigating an illness, we recommend that you first acquire a medical marijuana card. You can easily acquire this card with the help of Green Health Docs.

Once you get your card, there are several factors that you should consider so as to identify a quality dispensary in your locality as we will discuss in the article below.

Top Tips on How to Select the Right Marijuana Dispensary

1. Consider the Location of The Establishment

If you are looking for an easy time selecting a local dispensary, you can download a cannabis dispensary app like the Rollin Now App.

On downloading the app, check out stores in your locality. It is important that you gauge the location of a dispensary as it will have a huge impact on how conveniently you can access your favorite cannabis products.

When considering if a dispensary is in a good locale, check for important things such as ease of access and the availability of parking spaces.

Note that in most jurisdictions, there are rules stipulating the locations where cannabis dispensaries can be located. For example, in some localities, dispensaries cannot be located too close to schools or youth centers. Because of local restrictions, you may find that most of the dispensaries in your locality are located in neighborhoods that are ‘sketchy’.

2. Gauge the Quality of CBD Products on Offer in Relation to Price

For any product, quality tends to be subjective.

When it comes to selecting CBD products, most CBD users compare the process to selecting wine.

When given a wide range of wines to choose from, you may not necessarily want the wine with the highest alcoholic content. The same goes for marijuana. When making a purchase, you may not necessarily want the most potent strain on offer.

Given that there are different strains and grades of marijuana on sale in dispensaries, it is important to be careful when selecting your CBD products. Ideally, you should be guided by your personal tastes and preferences when selecting marijuana products.

Additionally, you should also gauge the prices of different products when choosing a dispensary. If you shop around different local dispensaries, you will quickly find out that the prices of marijuana products tend to vary from one establishment to the other.

Ideally, you should settle for a dispensary that offers your preferred marijuana products at affordable rates.

3. Consider the Product Variety

One of the most important considerations to keep in mind when choosing a dispensary is the range of marijuana products on offer. Long gone are the days when you had to roll a joint to enjoy the benefits of marijuana. Today, there are many options that you can explore if you are looking to consume CBD products. The ideal dispensary should have a wide range of CBD products such as edibles, gummies, vapes, cookies, tea and brownies. If you prefer a wider choice that is on offer from online marajuana Toronto visit this site. You will be sure to find exactly the product that meets your needs.

This is a guest blog entry.

CBD Softgels Vs CBD Tinctures: Joy Organics Discuss Which Is Better?

If you happen to browse through the latest medical journals or visit web pages dedicated to CBD research, it will quickly become apparent that CBD has a lot of health benefits. The best thing about CBD is that it can be consumed through various ways. The two most popular means of consuming CBD are use as a tincture or consumption while in capsule (softgel) form.

If you are looking to enjoy the myriad benefits associated with CBD, you can consume it conveniently either as a tincture or softgel. Consumption in either form will guarantee that your body absorbs the maximum number of cannabinoids. If you are interested in a business in CBD find out about the Joy Organics Private Label CBD Program.

In the article below, the focus will be on the benefits of both CBD softgels and tinctures after discussing the matter with Joy Organics.

However, before we explore each of the CBD products mentioned above, let us first look at the general benefits of taking CBD.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the over 100 phytocannabinoids that are usually found in the hemp plant. On ingestion or application to the human body, it is usually absorbed through a network of cell receptors that are found in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Once CBD interacts with the ECS, it can boost your general health as well as help mitigate the symptoms of certain illnesses.

Research has shown that consuming CBD extract can help your body in the following ways:

-    Boost muscle and joint function
-    Help curb insomnia
-    Help you maintain a healthier skin
-    Boost recovery for injuries gotten when working out
-    Help stabilize moods

Remember that no matter the form that you choose to use CBD, you should always have one end goal in mind – Helping your body to achieve homeostasis.

An In-depth Look at the 2 Most Popular Forms of CBD Products

As mentioned earlier, CBD is mostly consumed in the form of capsules or tinctures. Let us now take an in-depth look at each product.

1. CBD Softgels

What Is a CBD Softgel?

In a recent research study, 52% of the respondents said that they prefer taking CBD softgels as opposed to consuming chewable(s) or tablets.

Our research shows that softgels have the following properties:

-    They do not dissolve in the mouth
-    They are easier to swallow compared to other alternatives
-    They do not break down in the storage container
-    They have a delectable taste

At Joy Organics, we produce softgels in such a way that they offer you the maximum entourage effect on consumption. For example, the CBD Softgels that we retail such as our softgels with Curcumin are made from broad spectrum oil that is rich in phytocannabinoids and engulfed by a layer of gelatin.

The gelatin layer plays the crucial role of preserving the integrity of our CBD products. On engulfing the CBD liquid in a gelatinous substance, we are usually ensuring that the phytocannabinoids within do not disperse easily. This usually means that your body will have access to a wider range of cannabinoids on consuming our products.

What Are Some of The Benefits of Using CBD Softgels?

Our CBD softgels tend to be easier on the stomach compared to chewable(s) and tablets when ingested. This is mostly because of the gelatin that we use to cover our products. Gelatin is derived from bovines which means that if it is used to coat CBD products, your body will be able to absorb the cannabinoids within with more ease.

Given that the human body already interacts with gelatin commonly, once this substance is used to encapsulate a CBD product, your body tends to have easier access to all the phytocannabinoids and fatty acids contained within the product.

Unlike other CBD products, softgels are usually hermetically sealed. This means that nothing can get in or out of the CBD products. Remember that when CBD products are exposed to things such as light or moisture, the potency can become corrupted. When CBD products are hermetically sealed, you do not have to worry about any corruption.

It is also worth noting that CBD softgels that are sealed with gelatin like the range of products that we offer at Joy Organics tend to have a longer lifespan. This is because gelatin usually acts as a natural preservative.

CBD Softgels are also better absorbed in the body. At Joy Organics, we use state-of-the-art nano-emulsion technology that allows us to produce CBD products from phytocannabinoid-rich hemp oil that is highly microscopic (As small as 25 nanometers). This essentially makes our softgels highly absorbable on consumption.

2.  CBD Tinctures

What Are CBD Tinctures?

A tincture is simply a remedy or supplement that has been produced in liquid form.

Tinctures have been used as healing remedies for a long period of time. In fact, tinctures were being used in the early 20th century, long before hospitals became common.

The preparation of a CBD tincture is a multi-stage process. First, the CBD oil is usually extracted from the hemp plant mostly through the CO2 extraction method or ethanol extraction method. This usually breaks down the trichomes of the plant and leads to the secretion of CBD and other phytocannabinoids.

The next step is usually the straining of the oil from the hemp plant. This usually leaves with a CBD-rich oil.

Note that CBD on its own tends to have an intense taste that many people do not find ideal. To make the CBD more palatable, many manufacturers tend to add flavoring to their CBD tinctures.

What Are Some of The Best Flavorings for CBD Tinctures?

Note that the type of flavoring used in CBD products usually has a huge impact on its potency.

CBD flavorings can either be organic or synthetic. Some manufacturers tend to use synthetic flavorings so as to get rid of the harsh taste found in highly concentrated CBD extracts.

Ideally, if you want to enjoy high-quality CBD products, you should go for CBD products that have an infusion of plant-based flavorings. For example, here at Joy Organics, we use essential oils such as mint and lemon so as to guarantee that our tinctures have a natural and delicious taste.

You can never go wrong by choosing to use essential oils for your flavoring. This is not just because they are organic and aromatic, essential oils also tend to work in tandem with CBD.  The aroma that most CBD products which have an infusion of essential oils tend to have can be attributed to the terpenes contained in these oils.

Terpenes are the aromatic chemicals that give most plants and fruits such as oranges and lemons their smell and taste. Apart from the aromatic smell, terpenes also have a host of other benefits. For example, the terpenes found in rosemary essential oil usually enhance cognitive performance while the terpenes in lavender essential oils usually provide a soothing feeling to the body.

When you add a flavoring of essential oils or any other organic product, the terpenes usually interact with phytocannabinoids and strengthen your CBD product. On consuming a CBD product that has been flavored with terpene-rich organic essential oils, you are more likely to enjoy its maximum benefits or ‘entourage effect’.

A Simple Guide on How to Consume CBD Tinctures

Using CBD tinctures is relatively easy and uncomplicated.

All you need to do is to introduce a dropper into the container with the tincture, draw up the liquid into the dropper shaft and then place a few drops in your mouth. Once you ingest the tincture, it will be absorbed in your body just like other forms of CBD. It is however worth noting that since the tincture is usually in liquid form, it tends to work faster compared to other forms of CBD products.

CBD Softgels Vs Tinctures: Which Is Better?

Now that you know more about softgels and tinctures, you may be wondering… Which is best for me? Well, it all depends. Here is what we mean…

Both CBD softgels and tinctures have the same level of effectiveness. No matter the form that you choose to consume your CBD, you are sure to get enjoy the benefits of cannabidiol.

CBD softgels tend to be easier on the stomach compared to other forms of CBD products. For example, the CBD Softgels by Joy Organics are formulated using cutting-edge nanotechnology that increases their bioavailability and makes them extremely easy to swallow. Additionally, if you explore our range of CBD Softgels, you will find that the ideal serving is already outlined for you.

CBD tinctures can tend to have an unappealing taste for some people especially if they do not have any flavoring. However, you can make tinctures more palatable by adding them to beverages such as tea, soup or smoothies.

CBD tinctures tend to work more quickly compared to CBD softgels. However, remember that the organic matter that you consume in conjunction with your tinctures will impact on the time that the tincture takes to be effective. Your body will have to break up all the materials in your stomach before dividing all the nutrients so that they can be absorbed by the body. If you eat before consuming CBD tinctures, they are likely to take as much time as CBD softgels before kicking in.

Our Final Word

As you can see, when it comes down to selecting tinctures or CBD softgels, it all depends on your personal preferences. If you want the CBD to kick in quickly, consider using a tincture. However, if you are looking to consume CBD more easily, a CBD softgel may be the way to go.
No matter the choice that you make, you are sure to enjoy the benefits of CBD either with CBD softgels or CBD tinctures.

This is a guest blog entry.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Pharmacy Technician?

This might seem like a very straightforward question, but there is not just one simple answer. There are different paths you can take to enter this profession.

It all depends on whether you need to take pharmacy technician classes to get licensed or registered and certified in your state.

Knowing your state’s regulations is a great place to start.

What are the regulations in your state?

Each state has different regulations about who can work as a pharmacy technician.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board provides an at-a-glance look at state requirements. You can easily see if your state requires certification, licensing or registration, or both. This is an excellent first step to help you plan your timeline. 

Next, you will want to take a closer look at your state’s requirements. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy can give you more specific information about your state’s requirements. This resource can help you make sure you have all the current information you need to become a pharmacy technician in your state.

No Regulations

At the moment, there are only five states that have no requirements besides a high school diploma or GED. These states do not require technicians to register with the State Board of Pharmacy.

If you choose this route, most of your learning will come from on-the-job training. After at least 500 hours of work experience as a pharmacy technician, you will be eligible for certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

National Certification

Currently, 24 states require pharmacy technician certification. Some of them require it in order for pharmacy technicians to become licensed or registered. Others just require it to get a job as a pharmacy technician and perform specific duties.

Before you take the exam, you have to finish a PTCB-recognized training program or have 500 hours of work experience as a pharmacy technician. However, you can apply to take the test if you are within sixty days of finishing your program. Your certification will be granted once you provide proof of completion. This could be a copy of your certificate with your name, completion date, and the title of the program you finished. It could also be an official letter from the training program with the same information.

The pharmacy technician certification exam takes about two hours to complete. It currently costs $129 to take the PTCB certification exam, but make sure you check their website for changes. Once you pay the required amount, PTCB will email you to let you know if you are authorized to schedule your exam. Some employers may even pay for employees to take the certification exam.

Licensing or Registration

Almost half of all states require licensing or registration in addition to national certification. Pharmacy technician classes can prepare you for both.

The registration process may look a bit different in each state, but you can probably expect an application, an application fee, and proof that you’ve completed the training that your state mandates. Check the State Board of Pharmacy for specific requirements.

If you decide to take pharmacy technician classes, or if your state requires them, the time requirements can vary. Programs can range from a few months to two years. Programs may offer a certificate, diploma, or degree.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists requires accredited programs to include a minimum of 600 hours of instruction over at least 15 weeks. Longer programs may offer you an associate degree and extensive hands-on training in the field.

The length of the program is just one factor to consider. You will want to make sure the program you choose can meet your other needs.

• Does it meet your state’s requirements?
• Can it help you achieve your personal career goals?
• How much does it cost?
• Will the school help you find a job after graduation?
  

Other Considerations

 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacists are taking on more patient care roles, like giving flu shots. This means pharmacy technicians are also being asked to play a greater role in pharmacy operations.

Even if your state does not require licensing, registration, or certification right now, requirements are getting stronger all the time and could change in your state. Employers may also prefer to hire pharmacy technicians who have completed a program and obtained certification.

Schools like Ultimate Medical Academy offer a flexible online 18-month program to meet state requirements and give you an edge in the pharmacy technician field. You will leave with an associate degree and preparation for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).

You can complete an accredited training program and become a licensed pharmacy technician in less than two years! Find out what your state requires and choose the right path for you.

This is a guest blog entry.