Employment for pharmacy technicians should grow much faster than average according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The aging U.S. population will rely more and more on prescription drugs in coming years, so more pharmacy technicians will be needed to dispense the medications.

Training and Degree Programs for Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy technicians attend formal training programs to earn diplomas, certificates, and associate's degrees. In these programs, pharmacy technicians receive training in such topics as recordkeeping, pharmaceutical calculations, medical terminology, pharmaceutical terminology, and pharmacy law and ethics. They must be familiar with medications' names, doses, and uses. Some training programs offer internships that give pharmacy technician students real-world experience. To prove their abilities and knowledge, pharmacy technicians can take the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination. If they pass, they become Certified Pharmacy Technicians and increase their likelihood of finding an attractive job.

Working as a Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians serve as assistants to pharmacists. They label pill bottles and count pills, wait on customers, take money and make change, and stock the pharmacy's shelves. Some pharmacy technicians work in hospitals or nursing homes. These technicians also read patients' charts, prepare medicine, and take it to the patients. Pharmacy technicians' hours vary according to where they work. Technicians who work in hospitals and retail pharmacies might have to work nights or weekends. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that pharmacy technicians earn $11.37 per hour on average.

If you are interested in medicine but do not have the time to complete a pharmacist degree program, a career as a pharmacy technician is a great choice.

Online Degrees in Pharmacy Technician

High-Tech Institute

Pharmacy Technician Degrees Offered:

Pharmacy Technician
As a licensed pharmacist's assistant, you will help prepare prescribed medication for patients. Our training prepares you to retrieve, count, pour, weigh and measure the prescription medication. Prescriptions, which are checked by a pharmacist before being given to a patient, must then be priced and filed. You may also maintain patient profiles, prepare insurance forms, and stock and take inventory of medications.

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PCDI

What Professional Career Development Institute began by offering just one professional real estate appraisal course in 1987 has grown so large that it is now divided into two divisions: John Madison High School for high school programs and Ashworth College for all its higher and continuing education course offerings. More than 50 career programs are featured at PCDI including everything from jewelry repair to carpentry to sports psychology to writing children's books. more

Pharmacy Technician Degrees Offered:

Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technology is a vital part of the healthcare delivery system. And, right now, with new drug stores popping up in growing urban and suburban areas plus new medications hitting the market, properly trained pharmacy technicians could look forward to busy careers. There are no educational prerequisites or experience requirements to enroll in this program. If you’re comfortable with basic math and are self-motivated, you’re ready to enroll.

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Penn Foster Schools

Penn Foster Schools, the largest accredited school of independent home study, offers more than 80 distance education career diploma programs. Students enrolled in these programs have the option of studying online, in print, or through a combination of the two. In addition, Penn Foster Schools offers high school diplomas and 22 different associate degrees. more

Pharmacy Technician Degrees Offered:

Pharmacy Technician
In this program, you'll get the training you need to work closely with pharmacists in providing medication and health care products to patients. Whether you'll work for a retail pharmacy, local druggist, grocery store, or hospital, you'll be an important part of a rewarding profession. This program provides you the skills you need to succeed and even offers a Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Review. You’ll learn how to receive prescriptions from doctors and hospitals, prepare prescriptions for patients, verify insurance and prescription information, and assist the pharmacist with everyday duties.
Retail Pharmacy Assistant
In this program, you'll get the training you need to work closely with pharmacists in providing medication and health care products to patients. You'll be an important part of a rewarding profession. This program provides you the skills you need to succeed and even offers a Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Review. You’ll learn how to receive prescriptions from doctors and hospitals, prepare prescriptions for patients, verify insurance and prescription information, and assist the pharmacist with everyday duties.

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Allied College

Pharmacy Technician Degrees Offered:

Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists provide medication and other healthcare products to patients. In this Associate of Applied Science Degree program, students will study of the anatomy and physiology of the body and of drugs/antibiotics used to treat common diseases, become familiar with prescription and non-prescription drugs, herbal remedies and dietary supplements, and receive training with hospital pharmacies -- how to interpret physicians’ orders, maintain records, fill unit dose carts, and stock floor inventory.

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