Pharmacy technicians work under the direction of a licensed pharmacist to prepare prescriptions, measure medications, package and label prescriptions, and manage inventory. They may also hold the responsibility of customer service management, administration, and billing depending on where they work. Good organizational skills, professionalism, integrity, and attention to detail are some important traits needed for success in the field. If you’re considering a career in healthcare, becoming a pharmacy technician is a good starting point. The training is relatively short compared to other health care careers and licensing and certification can be completed shortly after graduation from an accredited pharmacy technician program. Like other careers in health, there’s a continuous demand for pharmacy technicians. Pharmacy technician jobs are projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 through 2031 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Delaware County Community College
The pharmacy technician program at Delaware County Community College is open to adults who want to prepare for the NHA exam and employment in retail and hospital pharmacies. The curriculum covers 55 hours of theoretical instruction. Areas of study include inventory control, reading and interpreting prescriptions, dosage calculations, dose conversions, billing and reimbursement, IV flow rates, dispensing prescriptions, medical terminology, defining drugs by generic and brand names, and packaging and labeling prescriptions. The program includes an online study guide aligned to the CPhT exam and a 25-module digital learning resource through NHA. Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed registration form online
- Be prepared to make payment at the time of registration
Tuition for the program is $2,150. It includes the cost for books and materials. Loans are available through Sallie Mae.
- Website: https://www.dccc.edu/
- Address: 901 S. Media Line Rd, Media, PA 19063
- Phone: 610-359-5050
Community College of Pennsylvania
The Community College of Pennsylvania prepares adults to become an influential member of the pharmacy team. The comprehensive workshop includes 50 hours of theory with an externship opportunity for students who complete the program. Content covered includes dosage calculations, dose conversions, IV flow rates, billing and reimbursement, inventory control, reading and interpreting prescriptions, medical terminology, basic mathematics, measuring prescriptions, customer service, and updating patient profiles. The content will support the development of skills that will enable students to function efficiently with members of the pharmacy team in retail and hospital pharmacies. Students who complete the program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local pharmacy. This will give students the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience. An Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement as students progress through the program. Graduates will be prepared to sit for the National PTCB to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician. Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed application for admission to the program
- Complete a state and federal criminal background check to participate in the pharmacy externship
- Submit immunization records
- Complete a satisfactory drug screen
- A high school diploma or GED is required for candidates who plan to take the PTCB exam
The cost for tuition and textbook is $1,525. An online option costs $1,299 and is not eligible for scholarship.
- Website: https://www.ccp.edu/
- Address: 1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
- Phone: 215-751-8000
Reading Area Community College
Reading Area Community College offers a pharmacy technician training opportunity in collaboration with Reading Hospital and Tower Health Medical Group. The program prepares students for success on the national certification exam administered by the PTCB. Graduates will have the confidence to assume employment in retail and hospital pharmacies. Areas of study include pharmacy medical terminology, reading and interpreting prescriptions, packaging and labeling medications, dose conversions, dose calculations, billing and reimbursement, inventory control, IV flow rates, updating patient profiles, pharmacy operations, dispensing prescriptions, and customer service. The training will include hands on practice in the school’s lab and an externship is a hospital pharmacy. Classes meet Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm for 15 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed application to the program
- Attend a program information session
- A high school diploma or GED
The cost of attendance is $2,495 and includes tuition, textbooks, and fees.
- Website: https://www.racc.edu/
- Address: 10 South Second Street, Reading, PA 19602
- Phone: 610-372-4721
Community College of Philadelphia- Center for Business and Industry
The online pharmacy technician program offered by the Center for Business and Industry at the Community College of Philadelphia is a basic program that introduces students to the profession of pharmacy but does not deliver the depth of training required as preparation for national certification. Training will cover various settings and career paths available for pharmacy technicians as well as the skills required to qualify for entry-level employment as a pharmacy technician. The program includes 12 course modules – What is a Pharmacy Technician, Learn About Pharmacology, Understanding Pharmacy Rules and Regulations, A Look Inside a Working Pharmacy, What Do All These Medical Words Mean, Anti-Infectives: The Drugs That Kill the Bugs, Your Core: Heart, Lungs, and Stomach, The Central Nervous System: Pain and Brain Drugs, Hormones, Eyes, and Ears, Time to Do a Little Math, Communication, and Future of Pharmacy Technicians. Students will have access to the online material for 6 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- There are no prerequisites for enrollment
- Applicants must have a reliable PC or Mac and access to the internet
The cost of the program is $135.
- Website: https://www.ed2go.com/ccp2go/
- Address: 1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130 US
- Phone: 855-520-6806
Harrisburg Area Community College
The pharmacy technician program at Harrisburg Area Community College curriculum is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as a pharmacy technician. Students will learn the compounding and dispensing of pharmaceutical preparation, preparation of admixtures, quality control processes, insurance billing, and maintaining drug inventory quality and levels. Course modules include pharmacy calculations, pharmacy practice, pharmacy science, and clinical pharmacy practice. Students may also participate in an optional pharmacy technician certification prep course. The program covers a total of 114 hours plus 12 hours for the optional certification prep.
Admission criteria:
- Register and pay for the program
- Complete Child Abuse and PA State Police Criminal Background Check prior to the national certification exam
The program cost of $1,620 does not include textbooks. The cost with the option Certification Prep course is $1,805.
- Website: https://www.hacc.edu/
- Address: One HACC Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110
- Phone: 800-ABC-HACC