In any one of its 10 locations throughout the Sunshine State, Everest University (Formerly known as Florida Metropolitan University-FMU) offers a vast assortment of career training programs from accounting to massage therapy. Prospective students interested in earning their associate or bachelor’s degrees, or would like to earn a diploma have the options to do so in a variety of vocational programs like medical assisting, pharmacy technician, or even an MBA (Masters in Business Administration).

For example, the massage therapy program at Everest University provides hands-on training in core massage techniques including Swedish and deep tissue massage and neuromuscular therapy. In addition to practical education, students learn how to do orthopedic assessments, about anatomy and pathology, and acquire necessary skills through courses in medical law, ethics, adjunctive therapy, and business management. Massage therapist entrepreneurs find these supplementary courses both informative and essential in making the move towards opening private massage businesses or day spas. Upon completion of this program, graduates are awarded a diploma and are career ready for entry-level employment as professional massage therapists.

If you find the field of medicine appealing, the pharmacy technician program at Everest University is a great career training course that teaches candidates the fundamentals of working in the pharmaceutical industry. Students participating in this course of study learn about anatomy and physiology; digestive, respiratory and reproductive systems; healthcare systems; medical terminology, nutrition, pharmacology, pharmacy administration, pharmaceutical calculations; and more. Graduates of this program can go onto achieving occupations as pharmacy technicians in pharmacies, retail outlets, hospitals, medical centers, and other healthcare-related facilities. Earnings for pharmacy technicians range from nine dollars to over $16 hourly.

Want to earn a degree in medical assisting? At Everest University, students have the option to enroll in its associate in science degree in Medical Assisting program where they gain necessary skills and education in anatomy and physiology, EKG interpretation, clinical assisting, medical computer applications, medical coding, pharmacology, phlebotomy; among other coursework. Today, medical assistants have the potential to earn upwards of $34,000+ annually.

While aforementioned programs are just a sampling of the over 20 educational courses available at Everest University, prospective students are pleased knowing that Everest University’s Student Finance Planners also assist students in searching for adequate financial aid to meet educational goals. Everest University also participates in a variety of federal and state student financial assistance programs (for students who qualify). Furthermore, Everest University is an accredited university that has met or surpassed standards for educational quality.

Boasting online courses and flexible day and evening classes, Everest University extends career service assistance to its students, which helps students in developing job-winning resumes, interview preparedness and support in locating gainful employment. HolisticJunction.com acknowledges Everest University and applauds its comprehensive programs in professional vocational training.

If you would like more information about this diverse career training university, please visit Everest University today.

Salary source: Bls.gov (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Featured School of the Week: Everest University

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Pharmacy Technician- a Career Option

Becoming a pharmacy technician can be a rewarding career choice. This field has good career prospects, monetary benefits and rewards. Pharmacy technicians assist licensed pharmacists in providing health care products and medications to patients. They routinely prepare prescribed medicines for the patients; for example, counting the tablets and fixing labels to bottles. The pharmacy technician refers questions regarding drug information, prescriptions or health matters to the pharmacist.

Certification

A National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination, conducted by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, which is held at various examination centers at a national level, has to be passed in order to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). Candidates are required have a high school diploma/GED, and must not have any record of felony. Once qualified, pharmacy technicians need to be recertified every two years.

The eligibility criteria for recertification is to have completed twenty contact hours of pharmacy related topics, within the two-year certification period. Attending lectures, college course work and on-the-job training are all considered for awarding contact hours. It is mandatory to have a minimum of one contact hour in pharmacy law. Flexibility allows contact hours to be earned from different sources. Up to ten contact hours can be earned by working under the direct supervision of a pharmacist.

Other sources are attending pharmacy colleges, belonging to pharmacy associations, and pharmacy technician training programs. However, presently, there is no federal requirement for formal training and certification of a pharmacy technician, although there may be some states that do have such a requirement. Many employers provide on-the-job training to people and recruit them as pharmacy technicians.

As reliance on pharmacy technicians continues to grow, more states and employers require pharmacy technicians to be formally educated and certified. Many employers offer to reimburse the cost of the examination as an incentive. Formal education programs are offered by the military and some hospitals. Proprietary schools, community colleges and vocational or technical colleges also offer education programs.

Place and Nature of Work

Pharmacy technicians generally work in hospitals, general medical and surgical stores, health and personal care stores, and retail or mail order pharmacies. Their job responsibilities differ accordingly, and are dependent on applicable laws and other regulatory mandates of the state. They receive prescriptions in writing and requests from patients for prescription refills. A doctor’s office may also send a prescription electronically.

The pharmacy technician has to verify the information in the prescription, for completeness and accuracy. The preparation of the prescription requires the pharmacy technician to retrieve, count, pour, measure, weigh and occasionally mix the required medication. They have to select the type of prescription container, and create and fix the labels on it. After it is filled, they price the prescription and file it. The pharmacist then checks this before it is given to the patient. Pharmacy technicians may be required to prepare insurance claim forms, maintain patient profiles, and take an inventory of over-the-counter prescription medications.

They must be aware of the latest medicines and their availability. At times, they also need to advise the patient about diet and health requirements. According to available records for 2004, pharmacy technicians earned median hourly wages of $11.37. The highest figure was $16.61 and the lowest was $7.96.

A career as a pharmacy technician can be pursued even without formal certification in most states, and allows working in clean, organized work areas. It offers a reasonably good salary and benefit package.