Contrary to what some believe, there is no formal program or CVS pharmacy technician training program application currently in place that could be described as a ‘CVS Pharmacy Technician Training’ Program. What there is however is a strong leaning towards training and promoting from within, something that has served the company well over the years, with several of its key executives, including former longtime CEO Tom Ryan having begun their careers with the company at an entry level and then ‘rising through the ranks’.

This preference for internal promotion means that those employed by CVS in other roles – cashiers, stockers, etc, – can apply for training to be promoted to Pharmacy Tech via their Apprenticeship Initiative. As the company is growing in some stores these Rx techs can then receive additional training to work in the onsite Minute Clinics where state law allows, offering even more interesting job growth potential.

Pharmacy technician apprentices must live within commuting distance from the likely work locations, so that a cohort of pre-apprentice program completers have a solid chance to secure a job offer and show up to work
consistently.

The CVS Apprenticeship Initiative

The company’s first apprenticeship training program began in 2005, with retail pharmacy technicians. For CVSH, an apprenticeship training strategy for direct hires opens up a new talent pool of motivated workers who are interested in the role of a pharmacy technician, but not yet trained or licensed.

The CVS Registered Apprenticeship Program, now in its 16th year, prepares low-income job seekers for careers as pharmacy technicians — jobs that often lead to management positions in many of the company’s nearly 10,000 retail stores.

It begins with a pre-screening and an invitation to apply. Those accepted into the program undergo intense training to acquaint them with the intricacies of a job in which there is literally no room for error.

The CVS Apprenticeship Initiative consists of two parts, both of which are to be completed primarily at the candidate’s home store, as in the store at which they are already employed.

The ‘Pre- Apprenticeship’ paid ‘classroom training’ module is usually primarily conducted in equal parts online and in store covers all the following and more:

• Introduction to Pharmacy Basics
• Introduction to Pharmacy Workstations
• Introduction to Inventory Management

This training is usually completed in store under the supervision of a training manager during the candidate’s regular working hours.

The second part of the apprenticeship program consists of 180 hours “externship” of on the job, paid training in the candidates’ home store that almost always leads to a formal job offer. This is conducted under the direct supervision of the store pharmacist and their assistants and provides the kind of hands on, real world experience a pharmacy technician school may not.

In addition to their on the job training apprentices complete additional online training that ensures they understand concepts like the protections offered to patients by HIPAA, as well as other technical knowledge related to paperwork and the legal aspects of the job. The training also covers office skills and math and English basics. Apprentices may also attend regional training sessions in person, but will be reimbursed for travel if they do so.

Once the training is complete, CVS pays for candidates to take their certification exam which, if they pass within 180 days, qualifies them for an available full time position in the company, either at their ‘home store’ or another branch.

Successful apprentices are also given a separate certificate and letter of recommendation that can be given to other employers to assure them that the candidate is qualified to work as a pharmacy technician.

Not every candidate who makes a request will be given training. Suitability for the Rx tech position is decided by managers and via a series of online tests and assessments.

In addition, candidates must be 18 years old at the time that the training ends, primarily because taking the PTCE or the ExCPT now requires that. In most cases a high school diploma or GED are required as well and basic physical requirements will need to be met as well.

Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Training Program

A pharmacy can’t work smoothly without a PhT (pharmacy technician) because they perform a number of duties in order to free up the pharmacist so that he or she may give full attention to prescriptions and patients. Although some tasks may seem menial, pharmacy technicians are crucial employees to any pharmaceutical establishment. Training is required to become a pharmaceutical technician, and the Walgreens pharmacy technician program aims to prepare students for a successful career. The program incorporates computer-based training, on-the-job experience, and classroom learning to create an integrated technician curriculum.

The Walgreen Pharmacy Technician Training Program is designed to provide Technicians with the skills and knowledge they need to contribute to the practice of pharmacy. The Program has been granted accreditation by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). This means that it is nationally recognized as a high-quality training program that prepares technicians to work in Walgreen’s pharmacies.Search Pharmacy Technician Programs

Get information on Pharmacy Technician programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information. Sponsored Listings

Essential Duties of a Pharmacy Technician

Walgreens’ pharmacy tech program prepares students to work competently in a pharmacy while performing a number of duties and tasks. While pharmacy technicians are limited in their role as compared to a licensed pharmacist, they are vital employees that help any pharmacy run smoothly, whether it be a retail chain, supermarket, or online pharmacy.

Clerical and administrative duties are typical of most pharmacy technicians’ daily routine.

Tasks include:

• answering the phone
• cashiering
• keeping the pharmacy area clean
• stocking shelves
• preparing insurance forms
• counting pills for prescriptions
• weighing medication for prescriptions, and
• creating accurate prescription labels with detailed instructions.

The Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Certification and Training program

What better way to train to work in a pharmacy than by doing so through Walgreens’ pharmacy technician program?

Walgreens founded Walgreens University in 2013 with the aim of providing education opportunities delivering hundreds of courses both internally and through other education establishments around the country for its employees and in some instances their immediate family members.  

As we already mentioned, the Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Certification and Training program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) which is very important when getting the designation PTCB CPhT and/or licensing.

Unlike many other training programs in the medical industry, participants are paid to train as they also prepare for the national certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), which they can apply to sit when completing the training program. In addition, Walgreens will assist its team members with their PTCB certification by providing review classes, study materials, and will even offer a one-time sponsorship to qualifying employees.

Pharmacy technicians must become certified by passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. In order to sit for the exam, students must meet the eligibility requirements and have completed an approved or accredited training program.

Finally, graduates can then apply for their licence, if this is a requirement by the Pharmacy Board in the state you work in.

The course can be completed online, at a regional campus across the US or Walgreens University learning center in Deerfield, IL and Walgreens employees can save up 10% — 40% off the cost of tuition.

For those who don’t want to end their training at the pharmacy technician level, Walgreens offers several avenues for alternative employment through its central pharmacy operations technician and community pharmacy technician employment positions.