The increasing demand for professionals in the health care industry has led to the growth of pharmacy technology. Pharmacy technicians frequently work at retail pharmacies, hospitals, and other health care facilities, reviewing patients’ prescriptions, handling insurance claims, managing inventory and more. The growth in this industry is expected to grow exponentially within the next ten years. There are numerous schools and colleges across the United States that offer pharmacy technology education to aspirants. The following section focuses on Pharmacy Technician schools in the state of Florida.
- Pharmacy Technician Programs Tallahassee, FL
- Pharmacy Technician Programs Davie, FL
- Pharmacy Technician Programs Lake Worth, FL
- Pharmacy Technician Programs Melbourne, FL
- Pharmacy Technician Programs Cutler Bay, FL
- Pharmacy Technician Programs Pensacola, FL
- Pharmacy Technician Programs Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- Pharmacy Technician Programs Fort Myers, FL
- Pharmacy Technician Programs Gainesville, FL
- Pharmacy Technician Programs Orlando, FL
- Pharmacy Technician Programs Tampa, FL
- Pharmacy Tech Classes Jacksonville, FL
Fortis College
The Fortis College has campuses in 8 different states across the United States. One of those campuses is in Orange Park, Florida. At this college, there are different programs for pharmacy tech aspirants such as a diploma certificate or an Associate of Science degree. The program focuses on preparing students for the PTCE exam. The duration of the course is 45 weeks but may be extended by the individuals. The tuition fee of the Fortis College differs from one location to the other. In Orange Park, the tuition fee for the certification program is $23,450. At the completion of the 45 weeks, the graduates will have learned the following:
- Handling prescriptions
- Keeping a record of inventory
- Pharmacy calculations
- Drug interactions and their side effects
- Legal responsibilities of a pharmacist
The college has an on-time completion rate of 70% and a state placement rate of 60%.
Website: www.fortis.edu
Contact: 1.855.4.367847
McFatter Technical Center
The McFatter Technical Center is located in Davie, Florida. This institute has designed a Pharmacy Tech program that involves online, as well as physical classes. The intensive program requires students to complete around 1050 hours, which usually takes around two to three semesters. In addition, as part of their education, graduates are required to work at hospitals and pharmacies to gain practical experience before entering the real world. Throughout the course, students are taught courses related to dosage calculations, pharmacy law and legislation, pharmaceutical calculations, and customer services. After completion of the program, the graduates are ready to take the exam administered by PTCE to become certified technicians. The American Society of Health System Pharmacists accredits McFatter Technical Center’s pharmacy tech program. The overall cost for the program excluding course material rounds up to about $3,305.
Website: https://www.mcfattertechnicalcollege.edu/
Contact: 1.754.321.5700
Rasmussen College
The Rasmussen College in Ocala has two different programs for pharmacy technology education. One is the certification program in which students earn a diploma at the end, while the other offers an Associate of Science degree. The duration of the certification program is only 9 months, during which time the students focus on courses related to the following principles:
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Introduction to Pharmacy
- Medical Math and Dosage Calculations
- Software Usage
- Customer Relations
- Career Development
The focus of the program is to prepare students for the CPhT exam administered by PTCE. In order to do so, there are labs, simulated, to provide an experience of a real-world pharmacy. The classes are also scheduled to be on campus as well as online. The associate program, on the other hand, has a more detailed curriculum, and its credits may be transferred into a healthcare management bachelor’s degree. Rasmussen College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information about their graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit their website at http://www.rasmussen.edu/
Website: http://www.rasmussen.edu
Contact: 1.888.549.6755
Atlantic Technical Center
The Atlantis Technical Center has a pharmacy tech program similar to the one offered at McFatter Technical Center. The duration of the program is 1050 hours, which rounds out to around 10 months, and the tuition fee is $3,305. The difference between the two centers is that the Atlantis Technical Center is located in Coconut Creek, Florida. The school requires aspirants to acquire a high school diploma in order to be eligible for admissions. In addition, a thorough background check is performed to ensure that the prospective students have not been involved in any kind of Level II criminal activities. The program focuses on teaching students principles related to medicinal drugs, sterilization techniques, inventory management, etc. Graduates get the opportunity to work at retail pharmacies, hospitals, and other health care facilities right after graduation.
Website: https://www.atlantictechnicalcollege.edu/
Contact: 1.754.321.5100
Lincoln Technical Institute
The Lincoln Technical Institute in Fern Park, Florida, is a member of the Lincoln Group of Schools. The organization has been serving students for over 65 years and has designed a pharmacy tech program that exceeds the industry standards. Students have the opportunity to enroll in either a morning or an evening program. However, there is a difference in the duration of the two as the regular morning program finishes in 30 weeks, whereas the evening program takes 45 weeks. During their stay at the institute, students learn about the following disciplines:
- Computers in Pharmacy
- Pharmacology
- Working at Retail Pharmacies and Hospitals
To top it off, the curriculum involves mandatory externships so that students may earn practical experience prior to setting foot in a real-world pharmacy.
Website: http://www.lincolnedu.com
Contact: 1.800.201.1445
Schiller International University
Schiller International University is a renowned college across the world with its campuses in four different countries: the United States, France, Germany, and Spain. The university has set its foundations in America and has its main campus in Largo, Florida. Only one of its campuses offers pharmacy tech education, and, fortunately, it is the one in Florida. The university offers an Associate of Science degree to enthusiasts. Upon graduation, the candidates are expected to possess the following skills:
- Assisting pharmacists
- Handling Prescriptions
- Managing Inventory
- Understanding the interaction and side effects of different drugs
- Filing insurance claims
- Calculation of doses
With such skills, graduates can enter pharmacies at entry-level positions and choose to make a career in this field.
Website: http://www.schiller.edu
Contact: 1.800.261.9751
Brewster Technical Center
The Brewster Technical Center is located in Tampa, Florida. The institute has almost the same curriculum as McFatter Technical Center and Atlantic Technical Center. However, the program length is slightly longer as it takes 12 months to complete the pharmacy tech certification. The cost of the complete program is around $3,800, which includes course materials and certification costs. After graduation, the students are prepared to appear for the PTCB or NHA certification exams. Throughout the course, students are taught the following subjects:
- Inventory Management
- Record Keeping
- Medical Math
- Medical Law
- Insurance Claims
- Customer Services
Website: http://www.brewstertech.org
Contact: 1.813.276.5448
Although there are a number of other schools for pharmacy technology education in the state of Florida, the ones mentioned above rank among the best schools in not only Florida but also across the country.