Pharmacy technician programs help students develop the hands-on skills and know-how to function as capable assistants to licensed pharmacists. Accredited programs include lectures, hands-on training in simulated pharmacy labs, and real-world training opportunities through a supervised pharmacy externship. Students gain not only clinical skills, such as transcribing orders, preparing prescription medications, labeling prescription medications, and managing inventory, but also develop interpersonal skills to interact with patients and doctors’ offices. Alabama graduates have the option to take a national certification exam, such as the examination administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Although certification is not required by the state, graduates who become Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) have a distinct advantage in the job market. All graduates must register with the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy to practice as a pharmacy technician.
Fortis College
At FORTIS, pharmacy technician students gain the ability to read, fill, and distribute prescriptions, perform pharmaceutical calculations, and learn medications and their interactions and side effects. The 780-hour program is covered in 36 instructional weeks, and students gain 46 quarter credits upon completion. In the classroom, students cover an introduction to health professions, medical terminology, drug classifications, mathematics for pharmacy technicians, medical anatomy and physiology, drug classification systems, intravenous admixtures and aseptic compounding, pharmacy practice and principles, and pharmacology. The program also covers preparation for certification and career development. A pharmacy externship is included in the course to give students an opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in a real-world pharmacy setting. The applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent, be 17 years or older, submit a completed application, take the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam with a minimum score of 11, pass a criminal background check, and pass a drug screen. Tuition for the program is $15,071. Books and supplies cost an additional $765.
- Website: https://www.fortis.edu/campuses/alabama/mobile/7033-airport-blvd-mobile-al/pharmacy-technician.aspx
- Address: 7033 Airport Blvd., Mobile, AL 36608
- Phone: (251) 344-1203