Pharmacy technicians are vital to the smooth and efficient operation of a pharmacy. Their primary responsibility is to fill prescriptions according to a physician’s instructors and prepare medications for distribution to patients. Technicians handle medications that are taken orally, topically, and intravenously. Accredited pharmacy technician programs include modules for preparing admixtures for intravenous use. Pharmacy technician programs in Nebraska prepare students for Nebraska certification and/or national PTCB certification.
Southeast Community College
The Pharmacy Technician program at Southeast Community College provides students with knowledge and skills to assist pharmacists with the dispensing of medication in retail and institutional pharmacies. Students will begin learning in the classroom followed by hands-on experiences in acute care, long-term care and retail pharmacy settings. Certified pharmacy technicians and pharmacist instructors will prepare students for success on the national certification exam. Course topics include speech communication or written communication and career and life skills, calculations for pharmacy technicians, operations for pharmacy technicians, pharmacy law and ethical issues, clinical education for pharmacy technicians, and pharmacology basics. The curriculum requires the completion of 31 credit hours. The program is accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists. Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit for the national certification exam. The duration of the program is two semesters.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must be a high school graduate or GED
- Apply for admission to the pharmacy technician program
- Submit a copy of current American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR card
- Submit a completed Health Statement to the Health Sciences Division
- Submit flu vaccination – upon admission to the program
- Must complete a criminal background check – a non-refundable fee of $45 will be assessed
- Must submit to an initial drug and alcohol testing prior to the first clinical – a non-refundable fee of $35 will be assessed
- Attend a mandatory orientation after acceptance to the pharmacy tech program
- Obtain an active registry with the Nebraska State Board of Pharmacy before the clinical rotation
The estimated cost of the program is $4,166. Some courses within the program are not eligible for financial aid.
- Website: https://www.southeast.edu/
- Address: 8800 O St., Lincoln, NE 68520
- Phone: 402-471-3333
University of Nebraska Medical Center
The pharmacy technician program at the College of Pharmacy UNMC prepares students for certification as a pharmacy technician in Nebraska. Students must complete a prerequisite module followed by five foundation modules and two elective modules. After completing the online modules, students must complete the hands-on requirements on campus. The modules are self-paced and delivered in on-demand format with elective modules that can be taken according to participants’ needs. Course topics include pharmacy law and ethics, patient interactions, basic pharmacy principles, pharmacy practice workflow, and calculations specific to the area of practice. Elective modules include sterile compounding, non-sterile compounding and repackaging, payer reimbursement and compliance, oncology and hazardous drug handling, advanced practices, durable medical equipment, long term care, and veterinary pharmacy. Graduates will be eligible to certification as a pharmacy technician in Nebraska. The maximum completion time is three months. New classes begin on the 15th of each month.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must be a high school graduate or GED
- Apply for admission to the pharmacy technician program
- Provide a copy of driver’s license and social security card
The cost of the training is $550.
- Website: https://www.unmc.edu/pharmacy/index.html
- Address: 42nd and Emile, Omaha, NE 68198
- Phone: 402-559-4000
Metropolitan Community College
MCC’s pharmacy technician program prepares students to work efficiently with pharmacists to dispense medication and health care products. The program is authorized by the
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) to deliver training for the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential. Course content includes medical terminology specific to the pharmacy, aseptic techniques, reading and interpreting prescriptions and defining drugs by generic and brand names. Students will also learn dosage calculations, I.V. flow rates, drug compounding, dose conversions, dispensing of prescriptions, retail practice, hospital practice setting, regulatory agencies involved on pharmacy practice, order transcription, inventory control and billing and reimbursement. Students will complete a graded final exam as part of the preparation for the PTCB exam. The curriculum covers a total of 80 contact hours.
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Must not have been convicted of any non-alcohol, drug-related misdemeanor or felony
- Must be able to stand for long periods and meet other physical abilities
- Must provide a copy of driver’s license and social security card
The program cost of $2,154 includes tuition, textbooks, lab supplies, and exam voucher.
- Website: https://www.mccneb.edu/
- Address: P.O. Box 3777, Omaha, NE 68103-0777
- Phone: 531-622-2400
Nebraska Methodist College
The Pharmacy Technician Program at Nebraska Methodist College prepares for entry-level employment in retail and institutional pharmacies. The curriculum includes classroom lectures and practical training in a real-world pharmacy. Instructors will prepare students for success on the PTCB exam. Practical skills include receiving and interpreting prescription, fill prescriptions, packaging and labeling medications, ordering medications to update inventories, updating customer records, handling customer service queries, and filing insurance claims. Course topics include physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, dosage calculations, top 200 drugs, customer service, pharmacy laws and ethics, and non-sterile compounding. The curriculum covers 13.5 contact hours (6 hours in the skills lab and 7.5 hours online) each week for 10 weeks. Additionally, students will complete a 40-hour externship at a local pharmacy. Students who complete all the course requirements with a cumulative GPA of 80% or higher will receive Nebraska Pharmacy Technician Certification to use the credentials of NE-CPhT.
Admissions Criteria
- A cumulative GPA of 2.0
- Be 18 years or older by the beginning of the course
- Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent (official transcript required)
- No drug-related misdemeanor or felony
- Must be willing to undergo a criminal background check
- Have a grade B or higher in high school or college algebra, biology, or health science course
- Submit a completed online application and fee of $25
Tuition costs $650 and includes textbook, lab coat, exam fees, and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services registration.
- Website: https://www.methodistcollege.edu/
- Address: 720 N. 87th Street, Omaha, NE 68114
- Phone: (402) 354-7000