Pharmacy Technicians assist and support licensed pharmacists in the packaging and distribution of medications to patients. They work in retail and hospital pharmacies under the guidance of a registered pharmacist to receive the information needed to fill prescriptions, package and label medications, accept payment for prescriptions, process insurance claims, compound or mix medications, and count tablets. To practice as a pharmacy technician n Florida, you must successfully complete a state-approved pharmacy technician program. Graduates must register with the Florida Board of Pharmacy to practice as a pharmacy technician in the state.
Miami Dade College – Medical Campus
The Pharmacy Technician program at Miami Dade College provides adults with the requisite knowledge and skills to function effectively as a support to licensed pharmacists. The Vocational Credit Certificate program requires completion of 35 vocational credits – 1050 contact hours. Course modules are Introduction to Health Care, Introduction to Pharmacy Practice and Medical Terminology, Pharmacy Practitioner Applications, Pharmacy Calculations, Drug Classifications, Pharmacy Technician Hospital Field Experience, and Pharmacy Technician Retail Store Field Experience. The clinical rotation is a critical component of the program that requires students to meet the health and background check requirements before participation. The comprehensive course of study requires full-time attention, so working while enrolled is not recommended. Students who work should limit their work hours to 20 hours per week. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the PTCB exam. The program has a nearly 100% PTCB exam pass rate and state registration rate. More than 80% of students have been hired directly from their clinical rotation. Classes meet in the evening from 5:00 pm. Clinical rotations are scheduled in the day time – Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The duration of the program is one year.
Admission criteria:
- Must complete and pass the TABE test
- Complete the Miami Dade College Student Health Record
- Complete the criminal background check process
- Submit an application for admission to the program
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
Tuition for the program is $3,187.80. Books and supplies are not included in the cost.
- Website: https://www.mdc.edu/medical/default.aspx
- Address: 950 NW 20th St, Miami, FL 33127
- Phone: 305-237-4141
Miami Lakes Educational and Technical College
The pharmacy technician program at Miami Lakes Educational and Technical College is approved by the Florida Board of Pharmacy. Theory and hands-on instruction provide students with the quality educational training to meet the needs of the healthcare industry. Instructors will cover the areas needed for students to pass the PTCB exam. Course content includes metric system, pharmaceutical compounding, sterile techniques, IV preparation, receiving and handling of hazardous materials, receiving and checking supplies purchased, delivering medications, pricing prescription drug orders, patient record systems, typing prescription labels, computer applications, leadership and human relations, health and safety, and CPR. The curriculum covers a total of 1050 contact hours. Graduates will be eligible to take the PTCB to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician. The duration of the program is 24 months for part-time students. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Admission to the program is based on open entry. Students may enter anytime during the school year – based on space availability.
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 16 years old and not attending high school
- Submit a completed application for admission
- Attend an interview with a guidance counselor
- Pay the application fee of $15
The approximate total cost of the program is $3,395. It includes tuition, fees, ID card, liability insurance, books, uniforms, and kits.
- Website: https://miamilakes.edu/
- Address: 5780 NW 158th Street, Miami Lakes, FL 33014
- Phone: (305) 557-1100
Barry University
The pharmacy technician program at Barry University prepares students for success on the National Certification Exam. The curriculum covers 72 hours of instruction in the classroom. Instructors use a lecture-based format to present the program’s content in a way that students will understand and use in their practice as a pharmacy technician. Interactive exercises, quizzes, and competency assessments will be used to determine students’ understanding of the topics presented. Instructors are committed to students’ success on the national exam.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Submit a completed application for admission to program
- Pay the program tuition
The tuition cost of $1,570 does not include textbooks or exam fees.
- Website: https://www.barry.edu/en/
- Address: 11415 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161
- Phone: 305-981-5148
Cambridge College of Healthcare and Technology
Students enrolled in the pharmacy technician program at Cambridge College will learn how to administer medications to patients under the direction of a licensed pharmacist. The program leads to a Pharmacy Technician Diploma that grants students eligibility to take the PTCB exam to become a certified pharmacy technician. Cambridge offers students hands-on training in labs that feature the latest healthcare devices and equipment, real-world experience through clinical externships at local pharmacies and health care facilities, support in transitioning from the classroom to career, and real-world insights from experienced instructors who are also industry experts. The duration of the program is 36 weeks. Job placement assistance is available for all students.
Admission criteria:
- Attend an admission interview
- Submit a personal statement
- Submit a record of vaccination or waiver form
- Provide proof of high school graduation or official college transcript confirming associate, bachelors or master’s degree
- Submit a completed application with the application fee of $50
- Complete paperwork for a drug screen and background check
Tuition for the program is $14,400. It includes books, background check, drug screen, one set of scrubs, lab fees, technology fees, insurance fees, and CPR.
- Website: https://www.cambridgehealth.edu/
- Address: 1000 Park Centre Boulevard, Suite 112, Miami Gardens, FL 33169
- Phone: (305) 627-3001
South Dade Technical College
The pharmacy technician program at South Date Technical College is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as pharmacy technicians. The curriculum covers 1050 clock hours of instruction delivered in a planned sequence that students must follow. Areas of study include metric system, medicinal drugs, medical terminology, IV preparation, pharmaceutical compounding, sterile techniques, patient record systems, health and safety including CPR, insurance billing, employability skills, leadership and human relations skills, delivery of medications, pricing of prescription drugs, repackaging of unit dose packages, control records, computer applications, HIPAA/Law, receiving and checking supplies, typing prescription labels, and much more. The pharmacy externship will provide students with hands-on experience at local pharmacies. Graduates will receive a Certificate of Completion and be eligible to tale the PTCB exam. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. The duration of the program is 42 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Attend an admission interview
- Submit a completed application for enrollment
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Submit record of vaccination or waiver form
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screen
Tuition costs $3,143 for in-state students and $11,217.50 for out-of-state students. The cost of books, supplies, insurance, and fees are additional.
- Website: https://www.southdadetech.edu/
- Address: 28300 SW 152nd Ave, Leisure City, FL 33033
- Phone: 305-248-5723
Baptist Health South Florida
The pharmacy technician program at Baptist Health is approved by the Florida Board of Pharmacy. Theory and hands-on training prepare students for a career as a pharmacy technician. Through a partnership with inpatient and outpatient pharmacies, the school offers students online learning, on-site group simulations, and experiential on-site education. The curriculum covers 600 hours of online learning and practical experiences at facilities in Miami-Dade. The final 8 weeks of the program will comprise of experiential rotations at retail pharmacies, hospital acute care pharmacy rotation, and advanced hospital pharmacy rotation. Graduates will be eligible to apply to the Florida Board of Pharmacy for registration as a Pharmacy Technician. The duration of the program is 16 weeks for full-time students. A part-time option is not available. The class size is limited to 10 students. New classes start in January, May, and August.
Admission criteria:
- Must be aged 18 years or older at the start of the program
- Must have graduated from an accredited high school or received a GED diploma
- Experience in health care is not required
- Submit a completed application for admission to the program
- Attend a candidate interview
- Complete a satisfactory BHSF affiliate criminal background check and drug screen
- Complete the confidentiality agreement
- Complete with BHSF immunization requirements
- Obtain passing scores for pre-enrollment Math and English competency assessment
Tuition costs $2,500.
- Website: https://learning.baptisthealth.net/
- Address: 3800 South Congress Avenue, Suite 9, Boynton Beach, FL 33246
- Phone: 786-467-2039
FVI School of Nursing and Technology
Students enrolled in the pharmacy technician program at FVI School of Nursing and Technology will learn how to assist the pharmacist in the packaging and distribution of medication. The program will be delivered as instructor-led live online classes with hands-on practice on campus. Students will learn how to identify drugs by both generic and brand name, calculate the correct dosage and solution strength, perform techniques and procedures to compound and mix different drugs, define ethics and explain laws that apply to the practice of pharmacy, and perform functions connected to institutional and clinical distribution systems. The program commits 40 hours of preparation for national certification. Graduates will receive a Pharmacy Technician Diploma upon successful completion of all requirements.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 17 years of age or older at the start of the program. Applicants under 18 years must have a parent or guardian sign and agree to the terms and conditions of the enrollment agreement
- Attend an initial interview with an Admissions Representative or designee
- Must provide a valid driver’s license, state ID with photo or valid passport
- Must be a high school graduate or have a recognized equivalent of a high school diploma
- Pay the required registration fee and complete all tuition payment requirements
- Must complete and sign the Enrollment Agreement
- Must pass a criminal background check – conducted at the student’s expense
- Must pass a Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) with a score of 11 or higher
Financial aid is available for eligible students.
- Website: https://fvi.edu/
- Address: 7757 West Flagler Street, Suite 220, Miami, Florida 33144
- Phone: 305-665-1911
Florida Education Institute
The pharmacy technician program at Florida Education Institute is conducted in the classroom and lab environment to provide students with sufficient practice in an environment that simulates that of a real-world pharmacy. Students will work with computers, label printers, pharmacy software, medication bottles, and medications such as found in a retail or institutional pharmacy setting. The classrooms on-campus are equipped with audio-visual materials and equipment to guide learning. Students will also have access to the computer lab. The curriculum covers 756 clock hours or 49 credit hours. Course modules include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacy practice and lab procedures, pharmacy technician skills, serving patients and communication, non-prescription drugs and treatments, community and hospital pharmacy, pharmacology, pharmaceutical calculations, drug classification, interpreting prescriptions, and pharmacy technician externship comprising of 84 hours. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the PTCB exam. The duration of the program is 44 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Attend an interview with an Admissions Advisor
- Must be at least 16 years of age
- Provide a valid driver’s license, state ID with photo, or passport with an application for admission
- Provide proof of high school graduation or GED
- Sign the FEI Enrollment Agreement
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screen
Tuition for the program is $16,925.
- Website: https://www.fei.edu/
- Address: 5818 SW 8th Street Miami, FL 33144
- Phone: 305.444.1515
The Praxis Institute
The Praxis Institute’s Pharmacy Technician Diploma Program is a fast-paced designed to prepare adults to assist licensed pharmacists in the community. The program will cover all the different aspects of the role of pharmacy technicians. Course topics include pharmacy administration for the pharmacy technician, calculation of drug dosages, administration of medications, sterile and non-sterile compounding, infection control, history and ethics of pharmacology, pharmacy technician duties, hands-on lab training, and live externship training. Instructors will conduct program reviews to prepare students for success on the PTCB exam. Coursework will be delivered via online/distance education mode. The pharmacy externship will be delivered via the traditional face-to-face mode.
Admission criteria:
- Attend an interview with an Admissions Advisor
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Provide a valid driver’s license, state ID with photo, or passport with application for admission
- Provide proof of high school graduation or GED
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screen
Financial aid is available for eligible students.
- Website: https://praxis.edu
- Address: 1850 S.W. 8th Street 4th Floor, Miami, Florida 33135
- Phone: 786-577-6909