PACE NONCREDIT COURSE:
Pharmacy Technician
Areas of Study
Course Type
Overview
Hours: 292 | CEUs: 29.2 | Duration: 12 months
Your pharmacy technician training will prepare you to work under the guidance of a pharmacist. You’ll be a crucial member of the team and a critical part of keeping the pharmacy running smoothly. A day in your new life will likely include the following:
- Verify prescription information and dosage.
- Assist in formulating, labeling, and dispensing medications.
- Enter patient and order information into the computer system.
- Create and update patient profiles.
- Process and submit insurance claims.
- Provide quality customer service to patients and healthcare providers.
You’ll likely take on more responsibilities over time, possibly offering flu shots or taking a more active role with patient consultations.
Work Environment
Your pharmacy technician skills allow you to work in neighborhood pharmacies or grocery stores. Positions are also available in hospitals, clinics and outpatient centers, specialty pharmacies, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, mail-order pharmacies, tele-pharmacies, and nuclear medicine pharmacies.
Key Concepts
Pharmaceutical Calculations: Master the math that goes into accurately formulating and safely dispensing drugs based on factors like a patient’s age and weight.
Compounding and Prescriptions: Get to know the terminology and methods for compounding a variety of substances and the protocol for filling prescriptions.
Business and Regulatory: Understand the business side of pharmacies as well as the laws, regulations, and standards affecting pharmacy work.
Curriculum
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a pharmacy technician do every day?
You’ll be a critical part of keeping the pharmacy running smoothly. A day in your new life will include assisting and working under the guidance of a pharmacist to fill prescriptions, manage patient records, and submit insurance claims, among other things. Over time, you’ll likely take on more responsibilities, possibly offering flu shots or taking a more active role with patient consultations.
How much does a pharmacy technician make a year?
According to Burning Glass, the median salary for pharmacy technicians is $36,740 a year. The middle 50% of pharmacy technicians nationwide earn between $26,750 and $36,500 annually.*
What’s the outlook for pharmacy technician jobs?
Terrific, as a matter of fact! Healthcare is one of the nation’s fastest growing industries. Snowballing along with it are pharmacy technician jobs, especially for those with formal training or certification. Burning Glass estimates 11.8% growth in pharmacy technician jobs in the next 10 years.*
Do I have to be certified to work?
Regulations and requirements vary by state. However, our pharmacy technician program ensures that you’ll be ready to start working no matter where you live. (The only exception being Washington state, where our program is not recognized. Please refer to your state’s Board of Pharmacy website for guidelines.) Getting your pharmacy technician certification online is always a plus. It improves your employment opportunities and sets you apart from—and above—other job candidates. Additionally, many experts say that pharmacy technicians who earn national certification are often paid more by their employers. Our online Pharmacy Technician program includes a free voucher to take the PTCB exam, a $129 value.
How do I become a pharmacy technician?
If you’re wondering how to become a certified pharmacy technician, there’s a clear pathway with few hurdles. No specific skills or experience are required. Just be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate. Optionally, you can pass the CareerStep Pre-Training Assessment Test. Then sign up for our pharmacy technician classes online and complete the required background check and drug test. Successfully complete your training and externship, take the certification exam, then let us help in your job search.
Are clinical hours included in my training?
Clinical hours are an essential component of your training—particularly as you work towards certification and potential employment. They give you a chance to test your current skill level and put all your new knowledge to work in real-world settings. That’s why we work with a vast network of healthcare organizations to provide these hands-on learning experiences. Please keep in mind that while clinical hours are included as part of your course, placement is based on a number of factors—including geography and availability—so we can’t guarantee that you’ll find placement in your area.
Why are the background check and drug test required?
As a pharmacy technician, you’ll be handling medications and providing patient care. For obvious reasons, you can’t be addicted to medications to do the job. Additionally, you cannot have been convicted of a felon or of Medicare fraud. We help you complete your tests and checks prior to signing up to ensure that you’re employable in the pharmacy field.
