Pharmacy Technician Schools

The field of pharmacy technician is thriving, and the need for qualified pharmacy technicians will increase by about 25% through the year 2018. 

That is due, in part, to the number of middle aged and elderly people who use more prescription medication than young people, and that will spur the demand for more pharmacy workers. 

As science leads to more drugs, more people will qualify for those new medications, adding to the number of pharmacy customers, leading to a demand for more pharmacy workers, as well.

Also contributing to the demand for pharmacy technicians are the cost conscience consumers who are relying on the “healthcare clinics” held at some of the well established pharmacies. 

As pharmacists become more involved with patient care, the technicians will assume a greater role and adopt some of the administrative duties carried out by pharmacy aides.

With the job prospects for pharmacy technicians looking good over the next 6 to 7 years, it might be time to consider a change in profession or a decision to pursue the field of pharmacy technician. The best place to start looking for a qualified school is the Internet. 

A web search for pharmacy technician schools will reveal a number of schools. The web search can be fine tuned to search for schools only in your area or by state or region. Be sure the school you choose is accredited. 

If you plan to pursue higher education using pharmacy technician as a stepping stone, you will only be able to transfer credits from an accredited school.

Pharmacy technician schools offer certificate programs, diplomas or technician associate degree. 

There are pro’s and con’s to each type of program. The program chosen will be the one that fits your needs and desires for a career as a pharmacy technician.

List Of Schools

UEI College – Pharmacy Tech Diploma Program

US Career Institute – Online Certificate

National College – Campus Diploma and Associate

Everest College – Campus Certificate

Kaplan College – Campus Certificate and Diploma

Brown Mackie College – Campus Associate

Remington College – Campus Diploma

Virginia College – Campus Certificate, Diploma and Associate

Sanford-Brown College – Campus Diploma and Certificate

Sanford-Brown Institute – Campus Diploma and Certificate

YTI Career Institute – Campus Diploma

Certificate Program

The pharmacy technician certificate of completion program can be completed in about a year or less. They provide the basic of fundamental skills necessary to perform the tasks of a technician in retail or clinical setting. 

The program is also beneficial to help the student prepare for the certification exams. A high-school diploma is required to apply to the program.

Diploma Program

The pharmacy technician diploma program takes about a year to complete and include more in depth subject matter than the certificate of completion program. 

The course of study includes administrative and pharmaceutical classes and prepares the student to assist the licensed pharmacist with medication duties. 

The diploma program is considered a good step toward a degree program. The diploma program also helps prepare the student to take any certification exams.

Associate Degree Program

The pharmacy technician associate degree program takes about 2 years to complete. The program provides a more thorough and comprehensive program than the certificate of completion and diploma programs. 

The students can expect to receive a broad spectrum of training in the medical field as well as focused pharmaceutical training. The program includes an internship that provides vital on the job training and job experience. Students with an associate degree will be able to transfer some if not all of the credits to an advance degree program.

Pharmacy Technician Salary

When considering a career as a pharmacy technician, it is important to know what the salary levels are. The job is not always about the salary, but there should be some consideration for the pay levels available. 

Looking at salaries may be a factor where employment is chosen. A high pressure, busy and demanding pharmacy may pay more than the quaint pharmacy in a not so populated area.

Geographic areas also play a role in dictating salaries. Areas of dense population tend to have a higher cost of living and salaries will reflect that. On the other hand, less densely populated areas will have a lower cost of living and the salary will also reflect that, as well.

Salaries Depend On Education

Salaries depend on several things, and they include education, certifications and years of experience. Education does not always mean the initial degree, diploma or certificate of completion. 

It means staying current with the latest in pharmaceutical trends and medical technologies that effect what kind of medication is prescribed and at what intervals for it to be effective.

Certification

Those who become certified will be required to complete a certain number of hours of continuing education to remain certified. Education is not always about attending classes. It is about subscribing to the industry trade magazines and becoming members in the industries professional organizations.

Becoming certified and keeping that certification current is important to your professional status as a pharmacy technician. It also demonstrates to an employer you are serious about your career choice and serious employees are often more reliable and dedicated than one who lets their certification lapse, or who does not bother becoming certified because it is not required.

Experience

Nothing can take the place of experience. There are no shortcuts to gaining years of experience, except to outright lie about it and then there will come a time when that lie will catch up with you and add a black mark to your career. 

As your years of experience expand, expect to see an increase in salary. The less an employer has to teach an employee, the better they like it.

Experience also means years of on the job learning and using that knowledge to do a better job and stay on the forefront of the changing needs and demands of pharmaceuticals. Experience also brings efficiency to the job, and that is something that takes time to learn.

Certified Pharmacy Technician Salary

The numbers below are the national average based on a salary study conducted in early 2011. There are factors that will affect the actual salary such as the supply and demand of qualified pharmacy technicians, geographic location and supervisory status.

• an entry level pharmacy technician with 0 to 1 years of experience may see a salary of $22k to $39k per year
• 1 to 4 years of experience will bring with it a salary of $22k to $36k
• 5 to 9 years of experience range will see a salary of $24k to 35k
• 10 to 19 years of experience will bring a salary of $28k to $40k
• 20 years or more will translate to $29k to $48k per year.