collageAs with most professions, there are rules, regulations and steps involved to follow that will help you become a pharmacist. The process can be difficult at times because of the time commitment it requires, but if you really want to be a pharmacist in Florida, then you need to be able to commit yourself to the task.
Collegelearners affords a plethora of information on salary for pharmacist in florida, how long does it take to become a pharmacist in florida, how to become a licensed pharmacist in florida and so much more. Ensure you peruse through our catalogue for relevant information on similar topics.
How to become a pharmacist in Florida
To become a licensed pharmacist in FL, you must pass two exams administered by NABP, the NAPLEX and the MPJE. You must apply to the Florida Board of Pharmacy for both these exams. Once granted eligibility you will receive an email prompting you to create your e-profile on the NABP. You can then purchase your NAPLEX and the MPJE test from the site. This is followed by receiving an email from Pearson VUE with your Authorization to Test.
Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) is a first step to become a community or hospital pharmacist:
The MPharm opens the door to a challenging and rewarding career in community, hospital, military and specialist pharmacist practice. The MPharm applies to all potential members of the society, including candidates who have already obtained a registration with the GPhC and those who work outside the profession and who remain within the scope of their current license or registration.
The Master of pharmacy (MPharm) is a postgraduate pharmacy degree that allows students to become registered as a pharmacist in the UK. Pharmacy graduates can apply for registration as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Although registration is not mandatory, current legislation says pharmacists must be registered with the GPhC to practice pharmacy in the UK. The MPharm programme mainly takes place over two years and requires the completion of 360 credits’ worth of taught modules and dissertation work. After graduating, you can apply for registration with the GPhC. It is designed to develop students with high levels of professional, generic and specialist pharmaceutical knowledge, underpinned by academic excellence. These skills are developed in programmes that enable students to adopt or adapt an individual approach to learning. Together, they lay the foundation for the development of specialist skills and knowledge through postgraduate training and experience.
How long does it take to become a pharmacist in Florida
The traditional pharmacy program at FSU is four years long. There are six pharmacy schools in Florida: Florida A&M University, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and Nova Southeastern University’s College of Pharmacy. Fry’s Electronics is an American big-box store selling consumer electronics in the United States, … They also carry computer hardware and software, mobile phones from Sprint Nextel and AT&T Wireless, headphones from XtremeMac and HP, satellite.
Our Doctor of Pharmacy program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and fully approved by the Florida Board of Governors and the Florida Department of Education, and sets a new standard for pharmacy education in this state. The curriculum is innovative, with distinct tracks in either clinical or pharmaceutical development, allowing students to focus on patient care, research and/or community service along with core courses such as Pharmacology, Anatomy and Physiology II.
Pharmacy Technician Training Programs in Florida
Any training program that pharmacy technicians in the state enroll in must be approved by the State Board. The following are recommended:
- Brewster Technical College. The pharmacy technician program offered by Brewster Technical College can be completed in 12 months. Students will learn different names of medications and their usage, learn how to review and fill prescriptions, perform proper dosage calculations and put all their skills to use in an externship. Once they have completed the program, students will be eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Board Exam (PTBE).
- McFatter Technical College. At McFatter, students can enroll in an American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) accredited pharmacy technician program. The program consists of 1,050 credit-hours that are taken over 10 months. Students will learn how to prepare medication dosages, manage inventory and fill and label prescriptions. A clinical externship is part of this program.
- Southeastern College. Students at Southeastern College can earn a diploma in pharmacy technology. Thirty-nine credit-hours make up this program and can be completed in 10 months if taken full-time or 18 months if taken part-time. Courses include Introduction to Pharmacy Technology, Pharmaceutical Calculations, Body Systems and Drug Therapy and an externship. This program is ASHP accredited and available at the West Palm Beach and Miami Lakes Area campuses. After students complete this program, they can sit for the PTBE.
- Penn Foster Career School. Many people don’t have the time to study to a rigid schedule. Penn Foster’s online pharmacy technician program can be completed in as few as 9 months. You can enroll in the course whenever you’d like, and online support is always available for students. At the end of your pharmacy tech program, you’ll have the opportunity to gain valuable, real-world experience at a CVS/pharmacy or Walgreens near you as part of our required hands-on training externship .
Certification and Licensing Requirements in Florida
To work as a pharmacy tech in the state, you must register with the Florida State Board of Pharmacy to gain your licensure. You will need to apply to the Board and show proof of having completed a pharmacy technician program they have approved. A $50 application fee and $55 registration fee will apply. Your license will need to be renewed biennially by paying $55. You must also complete 20 hours of continued education every two years.
National certification is not required to work in the state but becoming certified has advantages, such as higher pay. If you are interested in certification, you can apply through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). You need to be a high school graduate or have a GED to apply. You will also need to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), which costs $129.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
This career is showing promising growth, with the national growth for pharmacy technicians predicted to be 12 percent over the next few years. As reported by the Projections Managing Partnership, the state of Florida will experience almost double the national growth rate, with a predicted increase of 22 percent in the coming years.
salary for pharmacist in florida
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida pharmacy techs make an hourly average of $15.43, or a yearly average of $32,090. Certified pharmacy technicians and those with more experience can earn as much as $41,630 annually in the state.
As of 2019, the annual average salary of a pharmacist in FL is $121,310, which is 3.31% lower than the national annual wage. Pharmacists working part-time earn an hourly wage of $58.32. Panama City pays their pharmacists highest salaries in the state, with annual packages of $128,630. The lowest salary comes from Punta Gorda, paying $105,440, annually.
| Type | Salary |
| Hourly | $58.32 |
| Monthly | $10,110 |
| Annual | $121,310 |
| Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Working as a Pharmacy Technician in Florida
Pharmacy technicians might work in independent pharmacies or chain drugstores, hospitals, medical clinics and nursing homes. Pharmacy techs might work part-time, but most of them work full-time. You must be prepared to stand for long periods and sometimes lift heavy loads.
Florida is the third highest state for employment, out of all the states. Therefore, you shouldn’t have much trouble finding work as a pharmacy tech in Florida. However, the cities with the most pharmacy technician jobs include Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Pensacola, St. Petersburg, Tampa, The Villages and West Palm Beach. The highest paying cities in the state are Sarasota, Santa Rosa Beach, Tampa and West Palm Beach.
FAQs
What are best pharmacy technician schools in Florida?
- Florida State College at Jacksonville
- Miami Dade College, Miami
- D A Dorsey Technical College, Miami
- Brewster Technical College, Tampa
- Pinellas Technical College, St. Petersburg
- Concorde Career Institute, Orlando
How do you become a pharmacy technician in Florida?
- You must be at least 17 years old and have a high school diploma or GED
- Register with the Florida State Board of Pharmacy
- Complete a criminal record check
- Complete a Board-approved training program
- Certification is not required
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Florida?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technicians in the state of Florida made an average of $32,090 per year in 2018. Entry-level pharm techs earned around $22,460 and some experienced professionals earned as much as $41,630.
All School Listings
- Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach, FL Metropolitan Division
- Jacksonville, FL
- Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
- Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL Metropolitan Division
- North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL
- Northeast Florida nonmetropolitan area
- Northwest Florida nonmetropolitan area
- Ocala, FL
- Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
- Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL
- Panama City-Lynn Haven-Panama City Beach, FL
- Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL
- Port St. Lucie, FL
- Tallahassee, FL
- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
- West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Boynton Beach, FL Metropolitan Division
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL Area
Florida Career College
989 North Semoran Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32807
Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Florida Career College can be taken at their Orlando campus in the city of Orlando, FL. The college has around 491 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The school is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.* The retention rate of full-time students at this college is 84%. The cost of tuition is usually in the order of $15,027 per year.
Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach, FL Metropolitan Division Area
Atlantic Technical Center
4700 Coconut Creek Parkway, Coconut Creek, Florida 33063-3902
Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Atlantic Technical Center is taught at their campus in Coconut Creek in Broward County, FL. This public college has about 902 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. Atlantic Technical Center has institutional accreditation from the Council on Occupational Education.* Fees for tuition are about $4,209 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $1,287, although this will vary with the program.
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