Pharmacy technicians play a vital role in dispensing medications to patients and customers. Under the supervision of a pharmacist, pharmacy technicians help fill orders, work with customers and manage payments from insurance companies. They help protect patient safety by providing quality service and understanding medication safety.

Pharmacy technicians work at hospitals, pharmacies, long-term care facilities, grocery stores and more. As a pharmacy technician, you can be part of the growing healthcare field and play an important role in improving people’s health without having to go to school for four years. A pharmacy technician is an entry-level health care job, so you don’t have to have any previous experience in healthcare to complete training and certification.

Updated May 18, 2022

A sterile processing technician is responsible for daily washing, sterilizing, cooling, assembling, packaging, and storing surgical and procedural instruments. Sterile processing technicians are vital to medical settings and are responsible for ensuring each and every surgical instrument is safe for future use. Sterile processing technicians often clean and sanitize operating rooms, tables, and equipment to keep patients and staff safe.

The job requires very specific characteristics in order to perform the duties correctly and ensure the safety of all involved. Read the following five characteristics of a sterile processing technician and see if it’s the right career for you.  

Updated Feb. 25, 2022

Terri Miller enrolled in PCC Institute for Health Professionals April 2015 for medical coding. She writes about her experience with PCC and where it has gotten her today.

Meet Terri Miller. She enrolled in the PCC Institute for Health Professionals to learn about medical coding. Having spent 20 years as a medical transcriptionist, she found her job becoming obsolete due to advances in medical technology. In her own words, she described her experience with PCC, the courses she took as part of our medical coding program, and how training in medical coding helped her stay in the healthcare field while keeping her career relevant.

Updated Nov. 10, 2023

In today's world, it's increasingly common for healthcare workers across various specialties, from obstetrics to palliative care, to encounter patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. Now, more than ever, establishing connections with individuals from different cultures is essential for delivering optimal care.

Cultural competence within the healthcare sector is the key to bridging the gap in cross-cultural situations, guaranteeing that every patient receives the attention and care they require. Failing to undergo cultural competency training heightens the risk of inadequate patient care. This emphasizes the critical importance of cultural competency training for every healthcare professional.

Updated Jan. 24, 2022

Even if your primary practice is within the fields of massage, acupuncture, or chiropractic, training in adjacent and related medical studies allows you to take a holistic approach to care. It also paves the way to make your practice even more effective, allowing your clients to find added value in the treatments you offer.

The integration of functional nutrition with your massage, acupuncture, or chiropractic practice satisfies the whole-body approach and belief that our body systems are complex and interdependent. The whole-body approach — or functional medicine — does not divide the body into multiple systems, but rather looks for “the root cause of a collection of symptoms.” Integrating holistic practices can greatly benefit your clients and patients on their journeys toward wellness.  

Max Drewel was about to retire but wasn't done working. He found PCC's Pharm Tech program and after 30 years working in Insurance, switched careers completely.

Frank Brislawn enrolled in PCC during the Fall of 2015 for Phlebotomy. He writes about the role PCC played in his recent career success.

A sterile processing technician’s role involves daily sterilization of surgical instruments and medical supplies for reuse. The position is vital in keeping patients and medical staff safe, and requires a vigorous adherence to sterilization processes on a daily basis.

Here we will answer the five most common questions about this field and help guide you in making an informative decision. 

If you believe that whole, real, and nutrient-dense foods are medicine to the body and you have a passion for teaching others how to live healthy and active lives, then becoming a nutritionist may be the best career path for you. If so, it’s important to understand what nutrition programs offer and what things you should consider prior to applying.