Pharmacy technicians today perform many of the traditional pharmacy functions once performed by pharmacists. A pharmacy technician supports and enhances a pharmacy’s offerings to the public. Assuming a key role in the smooth operation of the pharmacy, the technician frees the pharmacist to deal with those duties that require a pharmacist’s professional judgment. Pharmacy technician programs give students the confidence to become active participants in this growing field and become certified pharmacy technicians after passing a national certification exam. With proper training, graduates become a valuable asset in hospitals, retail stores, and home health care.
Concorde Career Institute
Concorde equips pharmacy technician students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to begin a career as a pharmacy technician. The curriculum offers 662 contact hours including 192 lab hours, and 230 externship hours. Students earn 21 credit hours to complete the Pharmacy Technician Diploma. Course topics include introduction to pharmacy technician, pharmacy calculations, pharmacology, pharmacy practice, compounding and aseptic techniques, ambulatory externship, and institutional externship. Graduates are eligible to sit the PTCB exam for national certification. The duration of the program is 7 months.
Admission criteria:
- Must submit an application to the pharmacy technician program and pay the application fee
- Take and pass the Wonderlic test with a score of 10 or above
- Must assent to and complete a satisfactory criminal background check and random drug testing.
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
Tuition for the program is $14,172. The application fee is $100.
- Website: https://www.concorde.edu/
- Address: 4202 W. Spruce, Tampa, FL 33607
- Phone: 813-874-0094
- Fax: 813-872-6884
- Toll-free: 1-800-693-7010
Pinellas Technical College
The ASHP accredited pharmacy technician program at Pinellas Technical College prepares students to support registered pharmacists in a pharmacy setting. Graduates are eligible to sit the PTCB exam to become certified pharmacy technicians and register with the Florida Board of Pharmacy. The curriculum offers 1050 hours of theory and practical training in the areas of pharmacology, aseptic techniques, inventory control, pharmacy calculations, and dispensing medications. The program is available in a traditional format and as a distance education, blended option for students with proficient computer skills. Day and evening schedules are available.
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must fulfill the guidelines for admission to health occupations
- Pass a criminal background check
- Pass a urine drug screen
- Must complete the required immunizations
- Must be 18 years of age at the time of graduation
The program cost of $4,998 includes tuition, application fee, supplies, uniform, textbooks, and lab fee.
- Website: https://www.pcsb.org/myptc
- Address: 6100 154th Avenue N Clearwater, FL 33760
- Phone: (727) 538-7167
- Fax: (727) 538-7203
Rasmussen College
Rasmussen’s pharmacy technician students are set on the path to becoming major players in the fast-paced healthcare industry. The program is delivered online with on-campus support for students to complete the skills-based activities in the lab. They will then complete the pharmacy externship in a retail or institutional pharmacy. Course topics include career development, customer service in healthcare, medical terminology, medical law and ethics, foundations of pharmacy practice, pharmacy calculations, pharmacology for technicians, sterile and non-sterile compounding, structure and function of the human body, pharmacy retail practicum, and pharmacy capstone. The duration of the program is 9 months. At the conclusion of the program, students will have the confidence to succeed on the PTCE and transfer into an associate’s degree program.
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Applicants must successfully complete and pass a background check.
- Submit a completed application for admission
- Take and pass an admissions assessment – Wonderlic SLE
- Must complete the immunization requirements
The program cost of $12,682 includes tuition and fees for full-time students.
- Website: https://www.rasmussen.edu/
- Address: 330 Brandon Town Center Dr. Brandon, FL 33511
- Phone: 813-246-7600
Ultimate Medical Academy
UMA pharmacy technician students learn how to calculate dosages, prepare insurance claims, use medical terms, manage inventory, and much more. Required courses include pharmacy technician fundamentals, pharmacology and sterile products, HIV/AIDS, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, drug/dosage interaction, pharmacy law and ethics, community and institutional pharmacy, and pharmacy technician externship. General education courses include English composition, critical thinking and problem solving, general biology, sociology, interpersonal professional communications, psychology, and diversity in the workplace. Graduates are prepared to sit on the PTCE for national certification. The 18-month program concludes with an associate of science in health sciences. A condensed pharmacy technician diploma program consisting of 37.5 credits is also offered. The program is offered in online format.
Admission criteria:
- Must have successfully completed high school or equivalent
- Must be proficient in verbal and written English
- Must be beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in Florida
- Attend an interview with admissions prior to registration
- Complete a Level I background check by the 8th calendar day after starting the program
- Must complete an Attestation of High School Graduation or Equivalent form
Tuition for the program is $27,675. The cost of books and supplies is included.
- Website: https://www.ultimatemedical.edu/
- Address: Center Mall, 9309 N Florida Ave #100, Tampa, FL 33612
- Phone: 813-386-6350
Barry University
The pharmacy technician program at Barry University prepares students for success on the national certification exam. Students gain the skills to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician through classroom lectures and hands-on activities. Experienced instructors emphasize preparation for the PTCB certification exam. Using a lecture-based format along with quizzes, competency assessments, and interactive exercises, instructors cover patient interaction and privacy, prescription processes, controlled substances, pharmacy math, basic anatomy and physiology, basic pharmacology, OTC medications, non-sterile compounding, state law, and the dispensing process. The duration of the program is 10 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Must have successfully completed high school or equivalent
- Must be proficient in verbal and written English
- Must be at least 18 years old at the time of admission
- Attend an interview with admissions prior to registration
The program’s cost is $1,575 and does not include textbooks or exam fees.
- Website: https://www.barry.edu/en/
- Address: 11415 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161
- Toll-free:1-305-981-5148
- Email: healthsciences@barry.edu
Hillsborough County Public Schools
The pharmacy technician program at Brewster Technical College prepares students for the PTCB national exam and a career as a Certified Pharmacy Technician. The curriculum incorporates 1050 hours of theoretical and practical training in pharmacology, pharmacy math, law and ethics, dispensing process, body systems, pharmacology, generic and brand name drugs, non-sterile compounding, and inventory control. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm for 12 months (1,050 clock hours).
Admission criteria:
- Must pass a background check and drug screen (FDLE)
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must be able to lift 40 pounds
- Take and pass the Wonderlic test
- Pass a basic physical and obtain required immunizations – a completed medical form singed by a licensed physician must be submitted
- Must be a high school graduate or have a GED
- Must possess manual dexterity, fine motor coordination, and visual acuity to use and read syringes
Tuition for Florida residents is $4,300 and includes books and fees.
- Website: https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/brewster
- Address: 901 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33602 USA
- Phone: (813) 272-4000