Pharmacy technician programs, on-campus or online prepare graduates for pharmacy technician certification exams. Some state boards may not require these for employment. Employers, however, see a pharmacy tech certification as an assurance of a prospective employee's competence.
The aging population has meant an increase in pharmacy workload. Professional pharmacy technicians continue to be in great demand. The prospects for pharmacy tech jobs get better with every year.
Pharmacy technician programs prepare for careers in hospitals, community and commercial pharmacies. Technicians are also in demand in care facilities, home health agencies and mail-order prescription pharmacies. They are also employed by medical insurance offices, wholesale drug and pharmaceutical companies, and educational institutions, such as schools and colleges.
Here are some pharmacy technician programs. Anne Arundel Community College
The college's pharmacy technician program combines theory and practical training. It serves as the ideal preparation for a career as a pharmacy tech. The program recognizes current changes in the technician's responsibilities.
The program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
Today's employers prefer well-trained technicians with some experience. These are practitioners certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Some states, such as Maryland, require pharmacy technicians to be registered with the state pharmacy board.
This pharmacy technician program is completed in 33 credit hours. Graduates are eligible for the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Examination. California State University, East Bay
The university has a Pharmacy Technician Certificate course. The pharmacy technician training provides future pharmacy technicians with the necessary skills for entry-level positions in the field. Graduates are prepared for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) National Certification Exam.
This pharmacy technician program is offered in partnership with Gatlin Education Services. The course is offered at an online pharmacy tech school for those with day jobs. As part of their internship, students perform rotations at their choice of retail and hospital pharmacies.
Foothill College
The college offers two Pharmacy Technician Programs.
The Pharmacy Technician Program is a nine-month course. Students who complete the program will be awarded a Certificate of Program Completion. They are also qualified to apply to the California State Board of Pharmacy for registration as a pharmacy technician.
The expanded Pharmacy Technician Program takes two years. Subjects include general education courses. Graduates earn the Associate in Science Pharmacy Technician Degree. Students have the option to go directly to employment or continue studies for a four-year degree course. Canyon College
The college offers an online pharmacy technician certificate program. Six instructional modules prepare the graduate for the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination.
As a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) the technician will be qualify for work in all pharmacy settings.
The course modules teach:
1. Communication with patients and health professionals 2. Evaluating prescriptions for completeness 4. Entering prescription information into a computer 5. Billing insurance companies online 6. Maintaining inventory
Kaplan College
Qualified practitioners teach the college's Pharmacy Technician Diploma program. The curriculum is designed to teach interpersonal and communication skills in a pharmacy setting. Courses include classroom lectures and lab training that cover these topics.
Product preparations
Prescription processing
Computer applications
CPR
Pharmacology and the body's regulatory systems
Pharmacy law and regulations
Inventory and administration
A graduate may apply for an entry-level position at retail, hospital, and mail order pharmacies. Positions are also available in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Prior to graduation, students complete an internship at a retail, hospital, or residential pharmacy or other pharmaceutical facilities.
The US Department of Labor projects more than 28,000 Pharmacy Technician jobs over the next 10 years. Training for these jobs take two years at the most. Pharmacy technician programs prepare students for a productive career in a growing vital field.
Wayne, Tennessee, Blackfoot, Ridgewood, Rolla, Coatesville, Clute, Painesville, Oviedo, Pennsylvania, Fortuna, Kingsport, Hesperia, Palo Alto, Beachwood, Sterling, Sparks, Bloomington, Berlin, Elizabethtown, Punta Gorda, Collingswood, Haverstraw, Austin, California, El Monte, Carson, Lilburn, Middletown, Albany, Largo, Diamond Bar, Wisconsin, Alabama, Lumberton, Wixom, Newburyport, Owensboro, South San Francisco, Washington, Laguna Woods, Cliffside Park, Ruston, Weston, Centralia, Turlock, Chicago Heights, Dana Point, Paramus, Merriam, Maine, Mercer Island, Northlake, Corning, Edina, Fort Pierce, Lodi, Circleville, Sioux City, Gardendale, San Rafael, Hendersonville, Iowa, Marion, Silver City, Collinsville, Loveland, Port Neches, Sugar Land, Rancho Santa Margarita, Winston-Salem, Mountain Brook, Fairfield, Marina, Vadnais Heights, Hurst, Kissimmee, Aventura, South Miami, Poughkeepsie, Robstown, Bangor, Columbus, Davis, Perris, Kenmore, Hastings, Kentucky, Hinsdale, Lenoir, Greendale, Wanaque, Fond du Lac, King City, Northport, Buford, Cambridge, Lynn, Maryland, White Bear Lake
