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Best pharmacist assistant certifications

Pharmacist assistant certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an pharmacist assistant to employers. However, not all pharmacist assistant certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for a pharmacist assistant are Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), Medical Assistant, and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

Below is a list of the best pharmacist assistant certifications. Obtaining an pharmacist assistant certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

12 best pharmacist assistant certifications

1. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

PTCB's pharmacy technician certification program enables technicians to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and service. Certification is achieved by meeting specific eligibility requirements and earning a passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). The PTCB certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
Course that help you to prepare for certification
Become a Pharmacy Technician
udemy
4.7
(2,374)

2. Medical Assistant

The medical assistant job description varies depending on the employer's needs. A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional and an asset to a physician.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
Certifying organization
American Society of Phlebotomy...

3. Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)

Train to be a certified nurse assistant working with other health care professionals to provide quality care for elderly or sick individuals in nursing homes and hospitals and at home.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 
Certifying website
Certified Nurse Assistant

4. Board Certified Nuclear Pharmacist (BCNP)

Nuclear Pharmacy seeks to improve and promote the public health through the safe and effective use of radioactive drugs for diagnosis and therapy. A nuclear pharmacist, as a member of the nuclear medicine team, specializes in the procurement, compounding, quality control testing, dispensing, distribution, and monitoring of radiopharmaceuticals. In addition, the nuclear pharmacist provides consultation regarding health and safety issues, as well as the use of non-radioactive drugs and patient care. Those who are granted certification in this specialty may use the designation Board Certified Nuclear Pharmacist and the initials BCNP, as long as certification is valid.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 7 year(s)

5. Certified Specialty Pharmacist (CSP)

By passing the CSP assessment, pharmacy professionals not only display their aptitude in each specialized task, but also present their expertise in specialty pharmacy with a CSP credential. The CSP credential is a key indicator to employers, manufacturers, patients, payers, other healthcare providers, and the public at large that a professional is an expert in specialty pharmaceuticals. CSP certified professionals are tested using a psychometrically sound examination process, utilizing an exam that has been validated with a role delineation study performed by specialty pharmacy subject matter experts (SMEs) from all Specialty Pharmacy channels.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
Course that help you to prepare for certification
AWS Certified Database Specialty Practice Exams
udemy
4.7
(548)

6. Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)

A Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) primarily focuses on converting a medical procedure, diagnosis, or symptom into specific codes to submit a claim for reimbursement.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)

7. Pharmacy Technician

The responsibilities of Pharmacy Technicians will vary for each employer, but may include (1) entering medication orders; (2) ordering and recieving stock; (3) packaging medications; (4) compounding ointments or creams; (5) auditing stock; and/or (6) assisting a pharmacist in filling or labeling. Pharmacy Technicians work under the supervision of a licensed Pharmacist, and responsibilities may differ as state laws allow.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
Certifying website
Pharmacy Technician
Certifying organization
National Center for Competency...
Course that help you to prepare for certification
Become a Pharmacy Technician
udemy
4.7
(2,374)

8. Dental Assistant (RDA)

A Dental Assistant is an integral member of the dental health team, competent via education, experience, and understanding of patient welfare. The Dental Assistant is qualified to provide support in administrative duties: chairside, laboratory, and radiological procedures, as defined by existing state laws. As an agent of the Dentist, the Dental Assistant strives to cultivate good will and confidence within the dental practice.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
Certifying organization
American Medical Technologists

9. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) performs routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of physicians running smoothly.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)

10. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (NHA)

A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant is an unlicensed multi-skilled healthcare practitioner who is competent in both a wide variety of clinical and laboratory procedures, as well as many administrative roles. A CCMA may perform some or all of the following duties. However, they are not limited to just these responsibilities:Interviews patients and measures vitals signsPrepares treatment roomsGives injections or treatments and performs venipuncture and laboratory testsCleans and sterilizes equipment.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)

11. Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI)

The mission of the National Board is to foster improved healthcare outcomes, patient safety and patient/provider communication, by elevating the standards for and quality of medical interpreting through a nationally recognized and accredited certification for medical interpreters.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)

12. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Experienced medical office professionals with exceptional administrative skills are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) exam. To attain CMOM certification, all candidates must demonstrate a high level of knowledge in financial management, managed care contracting, personnel, and time management. Risk management, medical record keeping and facility management issues should also be mastered.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 
Certifying organization
Practice Management Institute

What is the best certification for a pharmacist assistant?

The best pharmacist assistant certification is Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). The Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) is awarded by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this pharmacist assistant certification:

  • To become a certified Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), you need to pass the exam.
  • Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every 2 year.

What are some of the most in-demand certifications for pharmacist assistants?

The most in-demand pharmacist assistant certification is Certified Pharmacy Technician based on all active job postings. Having this pharmacist assistant certification will give you access to more pharmacist assistant jobs with higher salaries.

What certifications can impact a pharmacist assistant career and salary?

The Certified Pharmacy Technician certification will help you to secure a pharmacist technician position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A pharmacist technician's average salary is $34,419 whereas pharmacist assistants make an average salary of $37,719.

Best certifications

The most common combination of pharmacist assistant certifications include: Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), Medical Assistant, and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

Online courses for pharmacist assistants to earn certifications

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