As trained health care professionals, pharmacy technicians work in a hospital, retail, mail-order, and other pharmacy settings under the supervision of a pharmacist. They prepare and fill prescriptions for distribution to patients or physicians, receive electronic prescriptions, answer the phones, assist customers, manage the cash register, update patient profiles, package and label products, update inventory, and measure, mix and pour medications. Technicians are usually the first and last point of contact for patients, so excellent communication and customer service are essential for success in the role.
Pharmacy technician programs include theory and hands-on work that will give adults a broad knowledge and pharmacy practice, laws and ethics, and the responsibilities of the technician in the pharmacy. Working with medication requires precision and attentiveness to avoid medication errors. The hectic pace of a retail pharmacy also calls for patience, composure, and diligence. The Tennessee Board of Pharmacy requires all technicians to obtain a license to practice. As part of the state licensure process, applicants must conduct a criminal background check. Certain criminal offenses may result in denial of licensure.
Fortis College Cookeville
The Pharmacy Technician training at Fortis College helps students develop the knowledge to read, fill, and distribute prescriptions, perform basic pharmaceutical calculations, and understand common drug interactions and their side effects. The curriculum will cover 780 clock hours of theory and practical instruction in 36 instructional weeks. Graduates will receive a Pharmacy Technician Diploma and will value pharmacy standards and have the technical skills to assist the pharmacist in direct patient care. Apart from classroom theory, students will have hands-on practice in multiple pharmacy settings include hospital, retail, mail-order, compounding, and long-term care. The clinical experience will emphasize ethical issues, state and federal laws, and professionalism. Course modules include Introduction to Health Professions, Medical Terminology, Medical Anatomy and Physiology, Fundamentals of Pharmacy, Mathematics for Pharmacy Technicians, Drug Classification Systems, Pharmacy Practice and Principles, Intravenous Admixtures and Septic Compounding, Certification Preparation and Career Development, and Pharmacy Externship. Morning classes meet Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Evening classes meet Monday through Friday from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Externship sessions are scheduled outside of traditional class hours.
Admission criteria:
- Be a high school graduate or have a recognized equivalent. Official high school transcript must be submitted directly to the registrar
- Must be 17 years or older at the start of the program
- Submit a completed application form
- Attend an interview with an admission representative
- Take and pass the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam with a score of 11 or more
- Meet all the financial obligations
- Sign the Fortis Institute Enrollment Agreement
- Must be able to pass a criminal background check administered by the school
Tuition for the program is $15,325. Books and supplies will cost approximately $1,093.
- Website: https://www.fortis.edu/programs/medical-technologist/pharmacy-technician.html
- Address: 1025 Hwy. 111 Cookeville, TN 38501
- Phone: (931) 526-3660
Tennessee Tech University
The Pharmacy Technician Program at Tennessee Tech University is delivered via online instruction. Students will learn the job settings and career paths of a pharmacy technician and will acquire the skills that will fit them for entry-level employment. While the content will include preparation for entry-level employment, it does not supply sufficient preparation for the national certification exam. The curriculum will cover 24 clock hours of instruction and may be completed in 6 weeks. Two new lessons will be released each week for the duration of the course. Students will have access to the previous lessons until the course ends. Course modules are What is a Pharmacy Technician, Let’s Talk Pharmacology, Understanding Pharmacy Rules and Regulations, A Look Inside a Working Pharmacy, What Do All These Medical Words Mean? Anti-Infectives: The Drugs That Kill the Bugs, Your Core: Heart, Lungs, and Stomach, The Central Nervous System: Pain and Brain Drugs, Hormones, Eyes, and Ears, Let’s Do a Little Math, Communication, and the Future of Pharmacy Technicians. In this course, you’ll take a look at the many job settings and career paths open to you if you become a pharmacy technician. You’ll master the skills you need to get an entry-level position as a pharmacy tech or clerk. Persons interested in the program must have a computer and reliable access to the internet.
- Website: https://www.ed2go.com/tenntech/online-courses/pharmacy-technician-explore-career?tab=detail
- Address: 242 East 10th Street Box 5073, Cookeville, TN 38505
- Phone: 931-372-3300
- Fax: 931-372-6245
- Email: dtennant@tntech.edu
Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Livingston
The pharmacy technician program at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology teaches students the competencies required for entry-level employment in just 12 months. The curriculum covers 1,296 clock hours of theory and hands-on training. Instruction will include prescription entry, sterile techniques, IV preparation, inventory control techniques, processing and maintaining records, customer service, label generation, filling and distributing prescriptions, pharmacy terminology, and updating patient profiles. Students will participate in clinical experiences in various pharmacy settings. Graduates will receive a Pharmacy Technician Diploma and will be prepared to sit for the PTCB exam for national certification.
Admission criteria:
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Submit to a criminal background check and drug test
Tuition and fees cost $3,843. Textbooks and supplies will cost an additional $1,627.
Website: https://tcatlivingston.edu/programs/pharmacy-technology
Address: 740 Hi Tech Dr, Livingston, TN 38570
Phone: 931-823-5525
Roane State Community College
The Roane State Advanced Pharmacy Technology Program trains adults for an entry-level position in a retail or institutional pharmacy. The comprehensive training will include theory and hands-on instruction to enable students to function as competent assistants to a licensed pharmacist. Graduates will be ready to sit for the PTCB exam to obtain national certification. Course topics include Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Pharmacy Calculations, Pharmacy Law and Ethics, Intro to Pharmacy Practice, Pharmacy Technology Seminar, Pharmacy Practice 2, Sterile Products, and Clinical Pharmacy Practice. Students must complete 26 credit hours for the certificate.
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed application to Roane State Community College
- Submit a completed Allied Health Science application by the published deadline
- Demonstrate English Language proficiency – including reading, writing, and speaking
- Demonstrate math proficiency to meet the job requirements of a pharmacy technician
- Have a GPA of 2.0 or better after completing the first nine semester hours
- Provide documentation of completing certification as a Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider
- A criminal background check and drug screen may be required for training at some clinical sites
- Meet all the health requirements of the clinical affiliate.
- Carry personal health insurance
Tuition and fees cost $4,970. Books and supplies will cost approximately $1,569. The cost includes scrubs, lab coat, calculator, physical exam, books, liability insurance, books, PTCB exam, criminal background check, shoes, and name tag.
- Website: https://www.roanestate.edu/?5980-Pharmacy-Technician
- Address: 701 Briarcliff Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
- Phone: (865) 354-3000
- Toll-free: 866-462-7722
Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Murfreesboro
The pharmacy technician program at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology is accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP). The curriculum will provide technical instruction and skills development to prepare students for entry-level employment in various pharmacy settings. The clinical rotations will conclude the program and give students an opportunity to work alongside professionals in retail, mail-order, hospital, and specialty pharmacies. They will gain experience in PioneerRx, a software used in retail pharmacies. The curriculum will deliver 1296 hours of instruction and will culminate with a Pharmacy Technology Diploma. Instruction will include prescription entry, sterile techniques, IV preparation, inventory control techniques, processing and maintaining records, customer service, label generation, filling and distributing prescriptions, pharmacy terminology, and updating patient profiles. Graduates will be prepared to sit for the PTCB exam for national certification. The duration of the program is 12 months.
Admission criteria:
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Be 18 years or older
- Complete a TCAT – Murfreesboro application for enrollment
- Provide proof of current immunization
- Obtain acceptable scores on the HESI Assessment
- Submit to drug testing and a background check prior to the clinical rotation
Tuition and fees cost $4,149. Textbooks and supplies will cost an additional $804.
- Website: https://tcatmurfreesboro.edu/
- Address: 1303 Old Fort Parkway, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
- Phone: 615-898-8010 Ext.127