Pharmacy Technician Diploma Faqs
What classes do I need to take to learn how to become a pharmacy technician?
Over the course of the pharmacy technician program, you will take classes covering a range of topics that have been carefully designed based on ASHP standards and align with the PTCE and ExCPT certification exams. Some such courses include Pharmacology, Pharmacy Practice Law and Regulations, Math Calculations for Pharmacy Technology, Pharmacy Management Software, and much more. You can find a full list of the courses you will take on our pharmacy technician program details page.
How long does it take to complete a pharmacy technician diploma?
At Penn Foster, there is no set time frame for acquiring a pharmacy technician career diploma. Because our program is self-paced, students are able to complete the program at a variety of paces depending on how much time they are able to put into their courses each week.
What are the prerequisites needed to enter a pharmacy technician program?
In order to enroll in pharmacy technician school, youll need a high school diploma or a GED and will need to be at least 17 years of age. You also will need access to a computer with an internet connection, as our program is completely online.
What skills will I learn in a pharmacy technician program?
Is the pharmacy technician externship required?
Are textbooks included with the pharmacy technician program?
Is Penn Foster’s Pharmacy Technician Professional Program nationally accredited?
Office Locations
Online Pharmacy Technician School
Pharmacy technicians work closely with pharmacists in health and professional care environments. Pharmacists often train and supervise pharmacy technicians in their work, which typically includes compounding, measuring, and dispensing medication. Many pharmacists rely on pharmacy technicians for administrative work such as inventory management, filing insurance claims, and record-keeping.
Well-developed pharmacy technician programs include classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory training. To succeed in their role, pharmacy technicians need keen mathematical acumen and attentiveness to detail.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , pharmacy technicians’ industry and state greatly impact their salary and career prospects. Although pharmacy technicians earn a lower-than-average annual median salary , the top 10% of professionals in this sector earn significantly higher annual median salaries .
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How To Become A Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians usually need a high school diploma or equivalent and learn their duties through on-the-job training, or they may complete a postsecondary education program in pharmacy technology. Most states regulate pharmacy technicians, which is a process that may require passing an exam or completing a formal education or training program.
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Online Pharmacy Technician Program
As pharmacists take on more responsibility such as administering vaccinations, skilled pharmacy technicians will be needed to perform important duties. Day-to-day, pharmacy technicians are responsible for filling prescriptions, checking inventory and ordering supplies as necessary, and working directly with patients to ensure they receive the proper medications and understand any side effects. Through Ashworths online Pharmacy Technician Program, youll learn the fundamentals of being a pharmacy tech and build the skills youll need to be successful on the job. In self-paced, flexible courses, youll cover pharmacology, pharmaceutical calculations, and more while preparing to sit for the National Healthcareer Association’s ExCPT Pharmacy Technician certification exam and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam . Youll also have an opportunity to apply what you learn to real-world situations through an externship with our partners, Walgreens and CVS/Pharmacy.
Us Career Institute School Benefits
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100% online and self-paced. No set class schedules so you set the pace and study when you can 24/7.
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Real-world Skills
Focus on real-world skills that will help you gain the knowledge and skills you need for employment and to prepare for industry certifications.
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Your tuition includes access to instructors, learning materials and career support.
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For the full Pharmacy Technician course outline, goals, and outcomes, please visit our Course Outline page.
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School Accreditation & Licensing
Penn Foster is accredited by:
Distance Education Accrediting Commission
Penn Foster High School, Penn Foster Career School, and Penn Foster College have all met the high standards of integrity and performance set by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission , which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation .
Penn Foster Career School is regionally accredited for non-degree granting postsecondary programs, and Penn Foster High School is accredited for grades 9 through adult, by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association for Colleges and Schools.
Penn Foster Career School has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training .
All Penn Foster programs are affiliated with DANTES, which qualifies U.S. military personnel for tuition reimbursement.
How To Become A Pharmacy Technician About This Section
Pharmacy technicians usually need a high school diploma or equivalent and learn their duties through on-the-job training, or they may complete a postsecondary education program in pharmacy technology. Most states regulate pharmacy technicians, which is a process that may require passing an exam or completing a formal education or training program.
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Optional Volunteer Externship Opportunity
Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience. As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.
Note: Additional documentation including health records, immunizations, drug-screening, criminal background checks, etc. may be required by the externship facility.
Pharmacy Tech Career Outlook And Certification
Earnings
Job Growth
4%*
U.S. Career Institutes online Pharmacy Technician program is designed to prepare graduates for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians offered through the National Healthcareer Association . The average pass rate for all people taking the ExCPT certification 2014-2020 was 83%…average pass rate for our graduates was 86%.
For full career outlook and certification information please visit our career and certification page.
Very straightforward, organized, and professional presentation. I took the pharmacy technician online course, and it was very informational and good preparation for the world of pharmacy. The staff were very friendly, helpful, and quick to respond. I highly recommend them!
Vanessa
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Workforce Development Program Scholarships
Community College of Philadelphia Foundation and its donors are pleased to offer scholarships to students enrolling in select Workforce Development courses. The in-person Pharmacy Technician Training section is available for scholarship opportunity. To submit your scholarship application, follow the steps in this Workforce Development Program Scholarship Application Guide.
Occupational Employment And Wage Statistics
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.
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What Is A Level Iii Pharmacy Technician
A level III pharmacy technician can perform the same duties as a level I and level II pharm tech, with a few additions. Depending on the employer, these additions may include assigning duties to other pharmacy techs, creating and prioritizing daily work, assisting with the hiring of new pharmacy technicians, maintaining the pharmacys computer system and databases, and ensuring that the pharmaceuticals are handled as required by regulatory agencies.
Just as with level II pharmacy techs, individuals interested in pursuing this more advanced role are generally required to complete formal training or certificate programs. More experience is often requested as well, with some employers requiring at least three years in a level II role.
Differences In Pharmacy Tech Programs
Here is an overview of the types of programs and formats you will see when researching for educational opportunities to become a pharmacy technician.
Degree Type When exploring pharmacy tech programs take the time to understand the different degree types available. A diploma as a pharmacy technician is the lowest level of training, but may help you get an entry level job as a pharmacy technician.
A certificate as a pharmacy technician offers a similar level of training.
For greater advancement opportunities, you may want to pursue programs that offer an Associates degree in pharmacy technology training.
Or perhaps a program that will let you transfer your diploma and certification training to an Associate training program at a later date if you choose to advance your training most likely at the same school.
In Person or On-line Format You will see schools having pharmacy tech programs that are held both on-line and in person formats. Depending upon where you live in the country, its possible that your only option will be for a program that is held via the internet.
If you are lucky to live in an area that has both formats available, determine for yourself if class instruction if effective for you if it is not in person.
Attending classes in a structured classroom with an instructor and other students working with you may be something that you need to be successful.
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What Is Their Graduation Employment Rate After Graduation
In 2019 Penn Foster does not publish graduation rates for individual programs. However, according to their press kit, which covers statistics for all graduates, not just Pharmacy Tech graduates, 69% of their graduates work in their field full-time and over 80% report feeling that their Penn Foster education improved their professional skills.
69% graduates work in their field
Graduating from the Penn Foster Pharmacy Tech program is a great first step. To begin working as a certified pharmacy technician a graduate must pass their certification exam. During their course students are provided with practice tests and tutor guidance to help them pass this exam.
The biggest question many students have is will this all be worth it?
In terms of the employment outlook for pharmacy techs the prospects remain good. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the average salary changes based on your state of residence but the national average salary in 2018 was $32,700 or $15.72 per hour for a Certified Pharmacy Technician. These salaries vary by state and employer, and the earnings potential for pharmacy techs employed in hospitals and other medical environments do skew somewhat higher than that paid to pharmacy techs employed in retail pharmacies.
ANNUAL MEDIAN SALARY OF
$32,700
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
Employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow by 7% nationally between 2018 and 2028.
Job Growth
Penn Foster Pharmacy Technician Program Review
Pharmacy tech is one of a number of careers in the medical field that is growing fast, offers a wide range of opportunities to people of all ages, all over the country in addition to a good salary and career advancement prospects.
Before you can work as a pharmacy tech though, you need to complete the education needed to become a certified pharmacy technician .
Penn Foster is one of the schools that offers students the opportunity to do that.
But is it a good choice for those who want to enter the exciting and challenging field?
That is what we are going to look at here.
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The Benefits Of Working As A Level Ii Or Iii Pharmacy Technician
One of the benefits of pursuing a level II or level III pharmacy tech role is that both come with increased responsibility. If youre the type of person who likes to continue to progress in the duties youre assigned within your career role, each one offers this ability.
Working in a pharmacy that employs all three levels of pharmacy technicians also provides the opportunity to advance to a higher-level position if this is your goal. It could give you something to strive for, working your way from one level to the next.
Performing pharmacy technician duties as a level II or III may also increase your salary potential. The BLS indicates that the median pay in May 2020 for a pharmacy tech was $35,100 per year.2 However, as education increases, salary potential tends to increase as well.3
Pharmacy Technician Program Tuition And Financing
We strive to ensure our Pharmacy Technician program is both flexible and affordable. This is why we offer low, monthly payment options for every student. We are committed to providing you with a high-quality education at an affordable price. Make an investment in yourself today!
For more information, please visit our Tuition and Financing page.
Join the thousands who have trained with U.S. Career Institute. Get started on your online pharmacy technician program today and be ready to work in as little as four months!
Want a competitive edge? Take a look at our Medical Specialties Degree Program with low monthly payments of just $139!
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Career And Salary Outlook For Pharmacy Technicians
The healthcare field is a robust professional sector. The BLS projects jobs for healthcare professionals to grow 15% between 2019-2029, which equals about 2.4 million new jobs. Although the BLS projects a slower growth rate of 4% for pharmacy technician jobs, practitioners can find ample professional opportunities in several industries and states.
Most pharmacy technicians work at health and professional care stores, although practitioners who work for federal executive branches earn the highest mean annual salaries of $44,920. Outpatient care centers and colleges and professional schools pay the second and third highest salaries in the industry .
The states with the most pharmacy technicians include Texas, California, and Florida. California pays the highest pharmacy technician salaries , followed by Alaska and Washington .
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Phlebotomists perform functions such as blood drawing, specimen processing, lab procedures and clerical duties. To prepare for this career, you will learn the theory and practical skills of phlebotomy through the on-campus laboratory sessions and experiences at local healthcare facilities.
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Accreditation For Pharmacy Technology Programs
Accreditation is a voluntary evaluation process that schools complete to show their commitment to providing quality educational programs. Accrediting agencies assess a postsecondary institution’s offerings according to accepted and established standards of rigor and quality. The U.S. Department of Education oversees the process, although it does not directly grant accreditation.
Nonprofit degree-oriented colleges and universities seek regional accreditation, while for-profit vocational schools seek national accreditation. Although regional accreditors use stricter evaluation standards, the ED recognizes both accreditation types. The ED does not disburse federal assistance funds to non-accredited institutions.
Accrediting organizations can also provide programmatic accreditation to specific programs. The Pharmacy Technician Education Accreditation Commission is the main accrediting body for pharmacy technician education and training programs.
After The Northwood Tech Pharmacy Technician Program
Upon completion of the program, you will obtain a Pharmacy Technician technical diploma.
Transfer Options
Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college in Wisconsin to obtain your bachelor’s degree and beyond.
Career Outlooks
Northwood Tech’s graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.
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How To Begin A Career As A Pharmacy Technician
If youd like to begin your pharmacy technician career path, one way to achieve this goal is by completing an educational program. This helps provide the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties typically assigned to this role.
Ultimate Medical Academy offers a Health Sciences Pharmacy Technician associate degree program. One thing that sets this program apart from some of the other pharmacy technician programs is that it is available online. It also provides 180 hours of an on-site externship to further enhance your skills while also providing experience before beginning your pharm tech job search.
Students completing UMAs Health Sciences Pharmacy Technician associate degree program are also prepared to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam if they meet the eligibility requirements. We also continue to work with you post-graduation, helping you with your resume and providing advice on what to expect in your upcoming interviews.
If youre ready to begin your career as a pharmacy technician, UMA is here to help every step of the way!
Applying To The Pharmacy Technician Program
The application for the Spring 2023 will be accepted after August 1, 2022. The deadline to apply is December 5, 2022.
To begin the application process:
Note: If at any time during the application process you have a change in personal information , submit the changes through MyPioneerPortal and to the Health Science Division at 772-462-7550.
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Courses In A Pharmacy Technology Program
An associate degree in pharmacy technology typically comprises 60-64 credits and takes two years to complete. Diploma programs and the best pharmacy technician certificate online programs require fewer credits and usually take one year to complete. Other factors, such as learners’ enrollment status and the program’s delivery format, can impact program length.
Pharmacy technology coursework covers topics such as pharmacy mathematics, drug dosages, and compounding. Many programs also include classes in management, industry regulations, and the insurance process. See below for five common courses in both on-campus and online pharmacy technician programs.
