Pharmacy Technician Professional Training and Educational Requirements

Pharmacy technicians are taking on more responsibilities than they did a few years ago. They are essential frontline workers, greeting and attending to patient needs. They also provide critical support to registered pharmacists by receiving and preparing prescription medication orders. The additional duties assigned to technicians means formal education is needed more than ever before. For the administration of vaccinations and the management of hazardous medications, technicians must be knowledgeable in all operations of the pharmacy.

Benefits of Online Study Programs

Online pharmacy technician program offerings are on the rise. They are designed for adult learners who need the convenience of online and self-paced study to prepare for entry into this industry without impacting their regular commitments. Online pharmacy technician programs are comprehensive and may even include a pharmacy externship for the application of acquired skills in real-world scenarios.

Educational Programs and Admission Criteria

Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC)

The pharmacy technician program offered by CCBC includes coursework delivered online. Theory and hands-on activities prepare students for entry-level positions as a Certified Pharmacy Technician in various pharmacy settings. The curriculum covers a total of 145 course hours. Areas of study include basic math skills for healthcare workers, pharmacy calculations, pharmacology, pharmacy operations, inventory management, pharmacy laws and ethics, billing and insurance, and a pharmacy externship.

Admission criteria for CCBC:

• Must have graduated from an accredited high school or equivalent.
• Must be computer literate and have access to the internet.
• Must complete the immunization requirements including COVID vaccination.
• Must have a grade C or better on the prerequisite courses – medical terminology for health occupations, anatomy and physiology, basic math for health care, HIPAA training, CPR for health care providers.

Upon completion of the program, students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Certification. They will be eligible to apply to sit for the PTCB exam to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician. Tuition for the program is $2,554. It includes the prerequisite coursework. Program fees cost an additional $1,891.

Fortis

The pharmacy technician program at Fortis includes online modules. The program is designed to prepare students for national certification and entry-level employment in various pharmacy settings. Students will complete 780 clock hours of theory and hands-on activities including a pharmacy externship comprising of 180 clock hours. Graduates will receive a pharmacy technician diploma and be eligible to sit for the PTCB exam to become a certified pharmacy technician.

Admission criteria for Fortis:

• Must have graduated from high school or have the recognized equivalent.
• Must be at least 17 years of age.
• Must submit an application for admission to the school.
• Must schedule and attend an admissions interview.
• Take and pass the Wonderlic SLE with a score of 13 or above.
• Must sign the Enrollment Agreement.
• Must complete a satisfactory background check.

The program cost of $18,370 includes tuition, uniforms, fees, supplies, PTCB certification, drug screen, books, and background check.

Gandhi Health Career Services

The online pharmacy technician program at Gandhi Health Career Services prepares students for success in the dispensing of prescription medications under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.

Program Comparison Data

Based on the provided program details, the following comparison highlights the differences in duration and cost:

• CCBC Program: Duration of 12 weeks full-time or 15 weeks part-time; total curriculum of 145 course hours; total cost approximately $4,445.
• Fortis Program: Requires 46 credit hours to graduate; total curriculum of 780 clock hours; total cost $18,370.