collageThinking about a career in the healthcare field? If so, a Pharmacy Technician career might be right for you. It’s not as difficult to get into a pharmacy technician program as it is to become a pharmacist. Some pharmacy tech schools offer 3-month programs, or you can choose to complete a 6-month program over the Internet. Online pharmacy technician schools are becoming popular because they allow students to enroll anytime of the year and save money on transportation costs.
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How Long Does it Take to Complete a Pharmacy Technician Program
A certified pharmacy technician is a licensed health care worker. Such an individual performs critical roles in any retail pharmacy or drug store.
Majorly, a pharmacy technician performs pharmacy-related functions under the close supervision of a licensed Pharmacist. First, in a drug store, a pharmacy technician fills prescriptions that customers bring in from doctors.
Also, the instruct customers on how to use each prescription or medical device. recently, a pharmacy tech can now review a doctor’s prescription after speaking to the patient. in addition, pharmacy tech may combine these roles with the administration. This simply means he/she can take calls from customers and enter their complaints.
They will also make efforts to answer correctly all customers questions regarding drugs bought from their drug store. Hence, he /she must be educated enough to avoid giving wrong information.
Pharmacy technicians are an essential part of the pharmacy team. Their duties include receiving prescription orders from other health care workers and/or patients, checking inventory levels and confirming them with pharmacists; compounding medications according to prescriptions; ensuring the accuracy of dosages and labeling; recording transactions from hand held computers at the point of sale; providing general customer service to patients using the pharmacy as well as to customers who call on the phone.
Why Should I start a Pharmacy Technician Program?
There are quite a number f reasons why you should start a Pharmacy Technician Program. But, the most important of them all is you must start one to become a certified pharmacy tech.
If you nurse the idea of becoming a pharmacy technician, then you should start a a pharmacy tech program immediately.
This is practically because you must complete a program to stand get a licence to practice in any pharmacy or drug store. However, other reasons why you should start a pharmacy tech program include:
- A strong Job Market: In the coming years, the pharmacy tech market is expected to grow by 12%. that is a tremendous increase and starting a program now positions you to benefit from this opportunity.
- Variety Of Job Opportunities: If you start and complete a program for pharmacy technician, you will have a variety of job options to choose from. You can work in a hospital, nursing home compounding pharmacies and even retail drug stores.
- You get to help people: The driving motion behind becoming a pharmacy technician is usually to help the sick get better. If this is your heart desire, then you should start a pharmacy technician program immediately.
- Advancement options; If you start a program for pharmacy techs and eventually become one, there are plenty of advanced options for you in the future. You may decide to further and become a pharmacist or even enroll in a medical school later on and become a physician
- Certification is Flexible: You can become one with at least a six months program. However, to grow in the field you may need some certifications. you should start a program now because these certifications are easy to get and quite flexible.
How long Is Pharmacy Technician Program?
How long you spend acquiring a pharmacy tech certificate depends on where you decide to enroll. Aspiring pharmacy techs can complete a one-year diploma or certification program at a pharmacy technician school or a two-year associate degree program.
However, Pharmacy technicians are sometimes trained on-the-job, and this job experience can also be used to obtain certification under certain circumstances.
Also, there are pharmacy tech programs available for just six months. So, you may either take on the job training which may take a longer time or enroll for an associate degree.
What Does a Pharmacy Technician Program Teach?
Generally, pharmacy technician programs teach you how to become a pharmacy technician. Many vocational schools offer pharmacy tech programs that are accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, ASHP.
Well, depending on the type of program, you will be taught courses that cover the nitty gritty of pharmacy, which includes pharmacy operation and protocol, drug dispensation ethical standards.
Hence, a typical Pharmacy tech program will teach you the following:
- Pharmacy law
- Pharmacy ethics
- Healthcare systems
- medical terminology
- Pharmacology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Ph
What Equipment Do I need for Pharmacy Technician Program?
Pharmacy Techs are pharmaceutical experts who control and maintain the drugs in the pharmacy, and also act as customer service representatives for anyone who has questions.
So, if you wish to enroll in a program for pharmacy techs, it is important you bear in mind that you will need some equipment. While most of them are found in the training lab, you must, however, be conversant with them before you can be certified as a pharmacy technician. Some of the equipment are:
- Lab balances
- Lab blenders and emulsifiers
- Automatic bottle filling machines
- Computer-based dispensing equipment
How much does a Pharmacy Technician Program cost?
Pharmacy technician programs can range from $3,000 to $11,000. A number of factors affect the cost, such as: Whether you are paying tuition fees in Germany or abroad and how long it will take to complete the program.
Most pharmacy technician certification programs cost between $500 and $5,000. Associate degrees priced at $10,000-25,000 are also available locally. However, unless you have any plans to become a pharmacist, an associate degree is likely not required.
How much can I earn as a certified Pharmacy Technician?
Earning an associate degree in pharmacy technician or a certificate in pharmacy technician can qualify you for a job as a pharmacy technician. Pharmacy technicians in the US earn an average annual salary of $32,700. In some states and metropolitan areas, pharmacy technicians can make $40,000 or more.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow 7% from 2018 to 2023 – faster than the growth rate of the average employee.
What is a Pharmacy Technician?
This comprehensive 3 month program is designed to prepare you for a rewarding career as a pharmacy technician in a retail or other pharmacy setting. Through classroom lecture, hands-on labs, and real world experience, you will learn dosage calculations, drug classifications, top 200 drugs, IV flow rates, sterile compounding, dose conversions, aseptic technique, the handling of sterile products, total parental nutrition (TPN), dispensing of prescriptions, inventory control, billing and reimbursement.
2 COMPLETE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING:Most programs allow students to gain clinical experience during their training. Depending on state laws, students may also choose to gain on-the-job training without enrolling in a postsecondary education program. Clinical experience may take the form of a structured training program at a retail drugstore that has partnered with the school. Another option is to complete hands-on training at an approved pharmacy or medical center
.Step 3:BECOME CERTIFIEDSome states require pharmacy technicians to become certified. Even in states where certification is not required, most employers will only hire pharmacy techs who are certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).The PTCB requires applicants to pass an exam, while the NHA requires students to complete a training program or have at least one year of experience working as a technician. Both organizations require applicants to have a high school diploma
.Step 4:BECOME SPECIALIZEDSome pharmacy technicians choose to work exclusively for a retail drugstore chain and will complete specialized training to serve as a general pharmacy technician, community pharmacy technician or central pharmacy operations technician, or in a similar role.Step
3 Month Pharmacy Technician Program Online
Earlier, we established a fact that you may decide to earn a diploma or an associate degree to become a pharmacy technician. While an associate degree may last for at least 2 years, diplomas may be completed within a year.
Hence, there are pharmacy tech 6 months programs for you. Some of them will be listed below. However, most of them will either be diplomas or on the job training available in big pharmacies, or drug stores across the country.
By six months program, you should be able to begin a pharmacy tech program and complete your course work to the satisfaction of the examination council. Only on this premise, will you qualify as a pharmacy technician.
Below are some 3 months Pharmacy Tech Programs:
#1. AshWorth College Online Pharmacy Tech Program
Ashworth College offers an online pharmacy tech program for students who intend to become pharmacy technicians. It is an online flexible and affordable diploma. It focuses on the real-world skills demanded by pharmacy employers and includes an externship opportunity with our partners Walgreens and CVS/Pharmacy.
This simply means upon completion, you may seek an externship to get an associate degree which qualifies you for some certifications in the industry. The program prepares you for one or the following certifications: The National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA’s) ExCPT Pharmacy Technician certification exam and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s (PTCB’s) Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).
It will cost you about $600 dollars if you pay at once to get a pharmacy tech certificate from Ashworth. However, a monthly payment of $40 is available for students who can afford the full tuition at once. but you will pay a total of $1, 009.Program Link
#2. MIPB Pharmacy Tech Program
The Medical Institute of Palm Beach offers a pharmacy tech program for a period of six months. It is an affordable diploma with the sole objective to churn out graduates that possess the skills and hands-on experience needed to become entry-level Pharmacy Technicians. They will learn to dispense and provide pharmacy support to pharmacists and clients in:
- Pharmacies and drug stores
- Hospitals; state, local, and private
- General merchandise stores
- Food and beverage stores + more
It offers a class of just fifteen people. This allows students to learn at a faster rate and be able to compare with their mates across the globe. The 6-month pharmacy technician program cost at MIPB costs about $8,900.00.PROGRAM LINK
#3. New York City College of technology Pharmacy Tech program
New York City Tech offers a 6 months pharmacy technician program that comes with a lot of benefits. It is basically an online class with numerous benefits like:
- Convenient once a week class meeting
- Online lessons mean you can learn from the comfort of home
- Free tutoring, resume preparation and interview skill coaching
- Externship opportunities available for real job experience in the community and in hospital settings
- Extensive employer network and help with job placement
- Career guidance after completion of the course
This program costs a total of $995 with a registration cost of $20. To enroll for classes immediately, click the button below.PROGRAM LINK
#4. Manhattan Institute Pharmacy Technician Program
The institute posits that its pharmacy tech program is for organized and meticulous students. In fact, they opine that with their 6 weeks pharmacy technician program which is less than 6 months, students are sure of enjoying all the benefits that accrue to those with a certificate in pharmacy technician.
With a diploma in hand from our Manhattan pharmacy technician schools, you will feel confident working in retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies or any pharmacy within a medical facility.
Once you send in a request form through the link below, you will get a mail containing your tuition fee.Program Link
#5. Molly College Pharmacy Technician Program
Molloy College, Division of Continuing Education and Professional Development offers a pharmacy technician program. It is basically a 160-hour program and is made up of 80 hours of theory and 80 hours of externship at an institution and at a local retail community pharmacy.
The ability to integrate theory into real situations within the pharmacy setting will take place during the externship. The program is offered at both our Rockville Centre and Suffolk Center campuses.
Students can schedule the externship after successful completion of the classroom component. The externship session is 80 hours total, completed in eight (8) hours per day for a total of ten (10) days. The program’s Clinical Coordinator will arrange the 80 hour externship (40 hours retail / 40 hours institution) with the student.
The program prepares you for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). And, only students who have a high school diploma can apply. Generally, this program costs $1,800.Program link
#6. Columbus State Community College Pharm tech Program
The Pharmacy Technician Program is an entry-level certification program that prepares students for knowledge as well as skills necessary for a career as a pharmacy technician.
The program is a diploma course completed under 26 to 32 weeks of instruction for full-time students, which are taught over a period of 2 semesters. Above all, the program is divided into didactic, simulated and experimental components.
Including an external internship period of 140 hours required for ASHP accreditation.Program Link
#7. Cleveland Clinic’s School of Pharmacy Technology
This is one of the only accredited hospital-based technician schools in the country. It is actually paving way for new technician leaders.
Cleveland Clinic’s School of Pharmacy Technology has been designed to accomplish what no other pharmacy technician program has done before: Combining both didactic pieces of training with real, hands-on training – from day one.
Basically, the Cleveland Clinic shows its trust in the number of students they churn out as graduates yearly. They posit that graduates of Cleveland Clinic’s School of Pharmacy Technology are well prepared to meet the needs of expanding pharmacy practice.
Hence, students graduating from the Cleveland Clinic School of Pharmacy Technology may be considered for employment within the Cleveland Clinic Health System.
Cleveland Clinic’s School of Pharmacy Technology is currently accepting applications for online classes. Interested candidates must submit applications at least 60 days prior to the scheduled program start date.
So, to begin classess soonest, click the button below now.Program Link
#8. Pima Medical Institute Pharmacy Tech program
With accredited institutions in the western part of the United States, PMI offers a full program of pharmacy technicians to students from Arizona, California, Washington, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado.
At 840 credit hours, plus a clinical internship, students will be ready to write the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (CPhT) of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
To earn complete a pharmacy technician program at Pima medical institute cost about $16,679 or less. This depends on the campus you choose to attend. To Enroll immediately, click the button below.Program Link
#9. Lehman College Pharm Tech Program
Lehman College offers a comprehensive 50-hour program that prepares students to work as a pharmacy technician in a retail or another pharmacy setting. The course also prepares you for your CPhT certification.
The less than 6 months pharm tech program prepares students to enter the pharmacy field and to pursue certification including the preparation to take CPhT certification from PTCB and NHA.
There is also an on the job training which is quite practical. Hence, technicians work in hospitals, home infusion pharmacies, community pharmacies, and other health care settings – working under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.
In a nutshell, Lehman College offers 50 hrs. + 80 hrs of clinical externship that allows students to cover the following areas for just $1,274.00.
- Dosage calculations
- Drug classifications
- The “top 200 drugs”
- Sterile compounding
- Dose conversions
- Aseptic technique
- The handling of sterile products
- Total parental nutrition (TPN)
- Dispensing of prescriptions
- Inventory control and billing and reimbursement.
#10. Cerritos College Pharmacy Technician Program
Pharmacy technicians are crucial to keeping a pharmacy running smoothly, and their role is evolving due to the rapidly growing healthcare industry.
As the duties of a pharmacist expand—taking a more active role with patient consultations and offering flu shots in some pharmacies—pharmacy technicians are also taking on more responsibilities.
Hence, careersteps online school offers the knowledge you need to be a good pharmacy technician. This is an excellent start for further training required for a variety of other healthcare careers.
It is accredited by ASHP/ACPE. Hence, it prepares you to excel in the PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) exam.
In partnerships with Walgreens and CVS Pharmacies, the Careerstep offers the chance for learners to gain experience in pharmacy tech. This, in turn, makes them more employable.
The program costs about $2,999. To take this online program, click the button below.
Pharmacy technician grade 3 salary
The average Pharmacy Technician Level 3 salary in the United States is $41,697 as of June 28, 2021, but the salary range typically falls between $37,263 and $46,488. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $70,500 and as low as $21,000, the majority of Pharmacy Technician III salaries currently range between $31,000 (25th percentile) to $45,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $60,000 annually across the United States. The average pay range for a Pharmacy Technician III varies greatly (by as much as $14,000), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.
Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Pharmacy Technician III job market in both Chicago, IL and the surrounding area is very active. A Pharmacy Technician III in your area makes on average $42,085 per year, or $974 (2%) more than the national average annual salary of $41,111. ranks number 1 out of 50 states nationwide for Pharmacy Technician III salaries.
To estimate the most accurate annual salary range for Pharmacy Technician III jobs, ZipRecruiter continuously scans its database of millions of active jobs published locally throughout America.
typical salary for a Pharmacy Technician III job is above the national average. Topping the list is Sunnyvale, CA, with Santa Cruz, CA and Santa Rosa, CA close behind in the second and third positions. Santa Rosa, CA beats the national average by $6,418 (15.6%), and Sunnyvale, CA furthers that trend with another $7,968 (19.4%) above the $41,111 average.
Importantly, Sunnyvale, CA has a moderately active Pharmacy Technician III job market with only a few companies currently hiring for this type of role.
With these 10 cities having average salaries higher than the national average, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as a Pharmacy Technician III appears to be exceedingly fruitful.
Finally, another factor to consider is the average salary for these top ten cities varies very little at 7% between Sunnyvale, CA and Dickinson, ND, reinforcing the limited potential for much wage advancement. The possibility of a lower cost of living may be the best factor to use when considering location and salary for a Pharmacy Technician III role.
| City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunnyvale, CA | $49,079 | $4,090 | $944 | $23.60 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $48,625 | $4,052 | $935 | $23.38 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $47,529 | $3,961 | $914 | $22.85 |
| Williston, ND | $46,571 | $3,881 | $896 | $22.39 |
| Manhattan, NY | $46,449 | $3,871 | $893 | $22.33 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $46,089 | $3,841 | $886 | $22.16 |
| Cambridge, MA | $46,005 | $3,834 | $885 | $22.12 |
| San Mateo, CA | $45,652 | $3,804 | $878 | $21.95 |
| Arlington, VA | $45,616 | $3,801 | $877 | $21.93 |
| Dickinson, ND | $45,337 | $3,778 | $872 | $21.80 |
these jobs are paid between $29,803 (72.5%) and $49,724 (121.0%) more than the average Pharmacy Technician III salary of $41,111. If you’re qualified, getting hired for one of these related Pharmacy Technician III jobs may help you make more money than that of the average Pharmacy Technician III position.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head Of Pharmacy Technician | $90,835 | $7,570 | $1,747 | $43.67 |
| Pharmacy Hospital | $84,799 | $7,067 | $1,631 | $40.77 |
| Head Of Hospital Pharmacy Technician | $76,306 | $6,359 | $1,467 | $36.69 |
| Pharmacy Systems | $75,892 | $6,324 | $1,459 | $36.49 |
| Global Pharmacy | $70,914 | $5,910 | $1,364 | $34.09 |
How long does it take to complete a pharmacy technician program?
A pharmacy technician’s job is to assist the pharmacist with certain daily tasks such as entering data, measuring out and packaging medications, processing payment information, and accurately placing the correct labels on medication. That’s in addition to more basic skills like answering phone calls, taking inventory of the pharmacy’s supplies, and providing high quality customer service. It’s a position that requires a great deal of precision and attention to detail as well as an understanding of basic pharmacology, expertise in dispensing medication, and a deep knowledge of pharmacy law and ethics.
So, how long does it take to become a pharmacy technician? Not as long as most people think! In fact, with Career Step’s flexible, online course, you can complete your training and start applying for jobs in as little as four months.
In this comprehensive guide to becoming a pharmacy technician, we’ll give you all the details you need to decide whether or not this career is right for you.
Becoming a pharmacy technician is a wise career choice. Not only do you get the satisfaction of helping others every day at work, but you also get the added benefits of great pay, job security, and advancement opportunities.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for this career is bright, boasting an above-average growth rate of 12%. Furthermore, pharmacy technicians have the potential to earn a promising salary, with an average base pay of about $32k a year. There are also plenty of advancement opportunities available in this field, ranging from internal promotions to specialty certifications.
Flexible hours are another perk that go hand in hand with this position. Many pharmacies now operate 24/7, which opens the doors to both traditional and alternative shift schedules. And because there are so many pharmacies all around the world, it’s easy to relocate and take your degree with you if you end up moving elsewhere — a major work benefit for military spouses.
To top it all off, the educational requirements for this career are fairly lax, allowing you to join the workforce in less than a year! Take Michael West, for example, a Career Step learner who completed our online pharmacy technician program in just two months before passing the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) with flying colors.
How Long Does Career Step’s Pharmacy Technician Program Take?
In order to be effective and excel at their jobs, pharmacy technicians need to undergo at least some formal training. But just how long is pharmacy technician school? You’ll find that the answer will vary depending on which route works best for you.
A traditional college setting with standardized courses may take up to two years to complete; however, you can pursue an expedited route and complete your pharmacy training through an accredited online program.
Career Step’s Pharmacy Technician program is designed to be completed in just four short months on a full-time schedule. However, the online program is entirely flexible, allowing you to complete it at your own speed, whether that’s just a few hours a day or more than the average amount.
We created our program to fit into your current schedule filled with other responsibilities and family obligations. Whether you already have a full-time job or you’re a stay-at-home mother, you can fire up the laptop and complete the Career Step program on your own time.
Completing our accredited program is the first step on your way to becoming a pharmacy technician. Once finished, you’ll need to apply for an internship or take advantage of our externship opportunities to fulfill clinical hours and gain valuable on-the-job experience. You’ll also be required to pass the PTCE to earn your certification, which will require some serious study time — but don’t worry; we’ve got all the resources you need to succeed.
So, how long does it take to be a pharmacy technician? That depends entirely on you and which route you choose to take.
What Do I Need to Get Started? What Certification Programs are Available?
You may be asking, “How do I become a pharmacy technician in the first place?” Well, your very first step is to earn your high school diploma or equivalent — if you haven’t already. This minimum level of schooling is required to begin an accredited pharmacy tech program.
The first step to starting a pharmacy technician career is to earn a high school diploma or GED equivalent. With a basic education, you can qualify for on-the-job training. However, many people find that looking for employment is easier if they have undergone some form of post-secondary training, such as an online pharmacy technician certification program, that helps prepare them for the profession and answers questions about how to be a pharmacy technician and what a pharmacy tech is. Some states require pharmacy technicians to have this formal training or pass a national certification exam.
Is There an Age Requirement?
Yes, there is a standard age requirement to become a certified pharmacy technician. The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certification has a minimum age requirement of 18 years and requires applicants to have a high school diploma, complete a formal training program, and have at least 1 year of work experience before they can sit for the certification exam.
What are the Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements?
Certification is an important part of the pharmacy technician career path. If you are considering entering the field, you should be aware of two main types of certification for pharmacy technicians as you set out to start your new career. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification requires pharmacy technicians to have a high school diploma and pass a certification exam. The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) certification has a minimum age requirement of 18 years and requires applicants to have a high school diploma, complete a formal training program, and have at least 1 year of work experience before they can sit for the certification exam. These certifications will help you find a job quickly and be successful in your chosen career as a pharmacy technician.
Pharmacy technicians are required to re-certify every 2 years to make sure they’re up-to-date with all of the healthcare changes and advances that affect their scope of practice. You can do this by completing 20 hours of continuing education to ensure your skills are current.
Becoming a pharmacy technician is a rewarding and lucrative career path, but it’s not always easy to find the best program. Thankfully, various accredited colleges and universities offer programs that are official and relevant. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) offers certification programs through several accredited colleges and universities, while the National Healthcare Association offers a certification option that promotes lifelong learning. A few months of schooling will be well worth your time when it comes to landing an entry-level position later on in this very rewarding field.
Where Do People Work with a Pharmacist Technician Certification?
The grand majority of pharmacy technicians work in the retail setting, which means they take a job at a local pharmacy inside a drug store or a small chain. But this isn’t the only place that pharmacy technicians can work — far from it.
Pharmacy technicians can choose to work in a hospital setting, specialized care centers, mail-order pharmacies, medical clinics, pharmaceutical labs, and beyond. When it comes to variety, there is no shortage in this pharmaceutical industry.
While the basic responsibilities remain the same, additional tasks will vary according to the location, type of work, and any additional certifications.
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