Pharmacy Technicians

High School

You should take courses in mathematics and science (especially chemistry and biology), because you will be working with patient records and drug dosages. Health classes can help you get a basic understanding of the health care industry and various medical treatments. Take English and speech classes to help you develop your writing and communication skills. Foreign language classes will also be useful because some of your customers may not speak English fluently. You will be using a computer a lot to maintain records and prepare labels, so take courses in computer fundamentals and database management.

Postsecondary Training

In the past, pharmacy technicians received most of their training on the job in hospital and community pharmacy-training programs. Since technician functions and duties have changed greatly in recent years, most pharmacy technicians today receive their education through formal training programs offered through community colleges, vocational/technical schools, hospital community pharmacies, and government programs throughout the United States. Program length usually ranges from six months to two years, and leads to a certificate, diploma, or associate's degree in pharmacy technology. A high school diploma usually is required for entry into a training program. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is the national accrediting organization for pharmacy technician training programs. Visit its Web site, https://www.ashp.org/professional-development/technician-program-accreditation, for a list of accredited training programs.

In a pharmacy technician training program, you will receive classroom instruction and participate in supervised clinical apprenticeships in health institutions and community pharmacies. Courses include introduction to pharmacy and health care systems, pharmacy laws and ethics, medical terminology, chemistry, and microbiology.

Certification

Colleges and universities offer certificate programs in pharmacy technology, customer service, emerging technology, and other fields. For example, the College of Lake County in Illinois offers a pharmacy technician certificate program. To earn the certificate, students must complete the following courses: College Success Seminar; Pharmacy Practice and Operations; Principles of Health and Wellness Coaching; Pharmacy Calculations; Pharmacy Lab and Simulation; Pharmacy Law and Ethics; Pharmacy Community Clinical; Pharmacy Hospital Clinical; Pharmacy Technician Exam Certificate Review. Those who complete the certificate program are eligible to sit for the pharmacy technician certification exam. Certificate programs typically last six months to a year and are available in online, in-person, and hybrid formats. Contact schools in your area for information about available programs.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists offers certificate programs in quality improvement for pharmacy professionals certificate, investigational drug service, medication safety, specialty pharmacy, pharmacy leadership, and other specialties. Visit https://www.ashp.org/professional-development/professional-certificates for more information. The National Pharmacy Technician Association also provides certificate programs. You can learn more at https://cpht.org/advanced-certificate-programs.

Other Education or Training

Most pharmacy technicians continue their education even after their formal training ends by reading professional journals and attending training or informational seminars, lectures, webinars, review sessions, and audiovisual presentations that are offered by the American Association of Pharmacy Technicians, American Pharmacists Association, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, The Pharmacy Technician Society, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and the National Pharmacy Technician Association.