Pharmacy Technician Training Program

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Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technicians are skilled professionals trained to perform clerical duties and tasks related to preparing and dispensing of pharmaceutical drugs.

The Pharmacy Technician program at North-West College provides the education and training needed to begin a career working in a pharmacy, hospital, pharmaceutical lab and other healthcare facilities.

This program is available at the following campus locations:

Anaheim Bakersfield Glendale
Long Beach Pomona Riverside
San Diego Van Nuys West Covina

Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technician Overview

Pharmacy Technicians are skilled professionals trained to perform clerical duties and tasks related to preparing and dispensing of pharmaceutical drugs. Pharmacy Technicians are usually included in all pharmacy functions except those which require the proficiency of a licensed pharmacist.

Pharmacy Technicians work under the supervision of pharmacists, who must review prescriptions before they are given to patients. In most states, technicians can compound or mix some medications and call physicians for prescription refill authorizations. Technicians also may need to operate automated dispensing equipment when filling prescription orders.

Pharmacy Technicians routinely perform a variety of important tasks, including:

Collecting prescription information needed to fill prescriptions
Measuring amounts of medication for prescriptions
Packaging and labeling prescriptions
Organizing inventory and alerting pharmacists to any shortages of medications or supplies
Accepting payment for prescriptions and processing insurance claims
Entering customer or patient information, including any prescriptions taken, into a computer system
Answering phone calls from customers
Arranging for customers to speak with pharmacists if customers have questions about medications or health matters

The Pharmacy Technician program at North-West College can provide you with the hands on training and education you need.

During the course of this program, you will learn the skills and procedures commonly performed by Pharmacy Technicians in hospitals, retail pharmacies and pharmaceutical laboratories, including how to perform pharmaceutical calculations, prescription processing, drug labeling, sterile and non-sterile drug compounding, and dispensing over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.

In addition, the program teaches medical terminology, pharmacy-related general medicine, along with the laws and regulations governing the pharmacy industry, such as FDA and DEA regulations and ethical codes of conduct.

* North-West College cannot guarantee employment.

Pharmacy Technician
Certification Board (PTCB) Pass Rate

Proudly accredited, licensed to operate and/or recognized by the following institutions: Accredited by ASHP at West Covina, Pomona, Van Nuys and Glendale. Accredited by ABHES at San Diego.

Attend Classes at a California (CA) Campus Near You!

This program is offered at our campuses in Anaheim, Bakersfield, Glendale, Long Beach, Pomona, Riverside, San Diego, Van Nuys and West Covina.

Meet a Graduate

Questions?

Let us help you launch your career by contacting us today. Simply fill out the form below or call us at 1-888-408-4211. Classes are starting soon!

Pharmacy Technician Careers & Work Environment

Pharmacy Technicians work under the supervision of pharmacists, who must review prescriptions before they are given to patients. In most states, Technicians can compound or mix some medications and call physicians for prescription refill authorizations. Technicians also may need to operate automated dispensing equipment when filling prescription orders. Pharmacy Technicians and aides work in clean, organized, well-lighted, and well-ventilated areas. Most of their workday is spent on their feet. They may be required to lift heavy boxes or to use stepladders to retrieve supplies from high shelves. Pharmacy Technicians and aides often have varying schedules that include nights, weekends, and holidays. In facilities that are open 24 hours a day, such as hospital pharmacies, Technicians and aides may be required to work nights. Many Technicians and aides work part time.

Graduates of the program routinely find jobs working in:

Pharmacies and drug stores
Medical and surgical hospitals
Compounding laboratories
Grocery pharmacies
And other health care related facilities.

Quick Facts about Pharmacy Technicians*

Employment of Pharmacy Technicians is projected to grow by more than 9 percent in California over the next 10 years, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Pharmacy Technicians work primarily in pharmacies, including those found in grocery and drug stores. Some technicians work in hospitals or other health care facilities. Pharmacy Technicians spend most of the workday on their feet.
Pharmacy Technicians may be needed to take on a greater role in pharmacy operations because pharmacists are increasingly performing more patient care activities such as giving flu shots.
As the number of individuals who have health insurance continues to increase and more people have access to insurance coverage, more Pharmacy Technicians will be needed to handle their prescriptions.
Most Pharmacy Technicians work full time. Pharmacies may be open at all hours. Therefore, pharmacy technicians may have to work nights or weekends.
*Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm More information, including median wages and the job outlook for Pharmacy Technicians in California can be found in the California Occupational Guide published by the State of California Employment Development Department. For the latest national information, please visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Pharmacy Technician Course Material

The Pharmacy Technician training program at North-West College is a hands-on, career-focused program designed to educate and teach you the fundamental skills needed begin a new career working as a Pharmacy Technician. The program is divided into eight class course modules plus a 240-hour clinical internship where students apply the skills they learn in the classroom in an actual practice setting.

Seminar for Success

Orientation and success building course for Career Students. Review of basic math, language, vocabulary, and writing skills. Introduction to core career classes, availability of community resources, outlining, summarizing, managing credit, and other life skills

Drug Distribution

Trade/Generic Drugs, Basic Math Review, Use of Electrolytes in the Pharmacy, Drug Dosage Forms, Compounding Products, Use of Balances, Measuring Devices and other Pharmacy Equipment; Filling Cassettes, Different Drug Distribution Systems (Unit Dose vs. Traditional)

Admixture I

Trade/Generic Drugs, Basic Math Review, Working Conditions and Types of Schedules for Technicians, Miscellaneous Tasks the Technician is Expected to Perform, Aseptic Technique, Introduction to Working with the Vertical & Horizontal Flow Hoods

Admixture II

Trade/Generic Drugs, Basic Math Review, Aseptic Technique, Miscellaneous Tasks the Technician is Expected to Perform, Manufacturing of Sterile IV Additives, Chemotherapy Drug Administration, Working with the Vertical & Horizontal Flow Hoods

Pharmacology

Trade/Generic Drugs, Basic Math Review, Theory of Molecular Combination, Basic Anatomy, Where Different Classes of Drugs Act on the Body, Usual Reason for the Use of this Classification of Drug, Usual Dose of the Drug, Medical Terminology, Arabic and Roman Numerals

Retail/Communications

Trade/Generic Drugs, Basic Math Review, History of Pharmacy, Effective Communication Techniques and Theories, Methods of Speaking with Professionals and Patients; Pharmacy Law; Information Regarding the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and Drug Schedules, Introduction to the Apothecary, Avoirdupois and Metric Systems, Transcribing Physicians’ Orders, Typing Pharmacy Labels, Pricing Prescriptions, Third Party, Medi-Cal, and Medicare Insurance Billing for Prescriptions, Insurance Verification, Keeping Accurate Records in the Pharmacy

Home Health/Closed Door

Trade/Generic Drugs, Basic Math Review, Significant Numbers, Diabetes Drugs and Treatment, Celsius and Fahrenheit Temperature Conversions, Types of Durable Medical Equipment Pharmacies Supply, Drugs and Treatment for AIDS, Configuring Body Surface Area, Compounding, Hormone Replacement Therapy

Career Seminar

Internship Workshop, Career Readiness Workshops, New Student Orientation, and CPR Certification.

Clinical Internship

Internship to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom in an actual practice setting

Pharmacy Technician Course Activities

As a Pharmacy Technician, your job tasks and responsibilities may include: receiving incoming prescriptions, transcribing physician’s orders, calculating doses, using drug distribution systems, preparing IVs, packaging medications, filling patient cassettes, labeling prescriptions, and interfacing with patients. Best of all, your career skills will travel with you wherever you go.

Pharmacy Technicians typically perform the following tasks:

Collecting information to fill prescriptions from customers or health professionals
Measuring amounts of medication for prescriptions
Sterile and non-sterile drug compounding
Packaging and labeling prescriptions
Organizing inventory and alerting pharmacists to shortages of medications or supplies
Accepting payment for prescriptions and process insurance claims
Recording customer or patient prescription information
Answering customer phone calls
Arranging for customers to speak with pharmacists to answer questions about medications or other health matters
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Pharmacy Technician Overview

Pharmacy Technicians are skilled professionals trained to perform clerical duties and tasks related to preparing and dispensing of pharmaceutical drugs. Pharmacy Technicians are usually included in all pharmacy functions except those which require the proficiency of a licensed pharmacist.

Pharmacy Technicians work under the supervision of pharmacists, who must review prescriptions before they are given to patients. In most states, technicians can compound or mix some medications and call physicians for prescription refill authorizations. Technicians also may need to operate automated dispensing equipment when filling prescription orders.

Pharmacy Technicians routinely perform a variety of important tasks, including:

Collecting prescription information needed to fill prescriptions
Measuring amounts of medication for prescriptions
Packaging and labeling prescriptions
Organizing inventory and alerting pharmacists to any shortages of medications or supplies
Accepting payment for prescriptions and processing insurance claims
Entering customer or patient information, including any prescriptions taken, into a computer system
Answering phone calls from customers
Arranging for customers to speak with pharmacists if customers have questions about medications or health matters

The Pharmacy Technician program at North-West College can provide you with the hands on training and education you need.

During the course of this program, you will learn the skills and procedures commonly performed by Pharmacy Technicians in hospitals, retail pharmacies and pharmaceutical laboratories, including how to perform pharmaceutical calculations, prescription processing, drug labeling, sterile and non-sterile drug compounding, and dispensing over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.

In addition, the program teaches medical terminology, pharmacy-related general medicine, along with the laws and regulations governing the pharmacy industry, such as FDA and DEA regulations and ethical codes of conduct.

* North-West College cannot guarantee employment.

Pharmacy Technician
Certification Board (PTCB) Pass Rate

Proudly accredited, licensed to operate and/or recognized by the following institutions: Accredited by ASHP at West Covina, Pomona, Van Nuys and Glendale. Accredited by ABHES at San Diego.

Attend Classes at a California (CA) Campus Near You!

This program is offered at our campuses in Anaheim, Bakersfield, Glendale, Long Beach, Pomona, Riverside, San Diego, Van Nuys and West Covina.

Meet a Graduate

Questions?

Let us help you launch your career by contacting us today. Simply fill out the form below or call us at 1-888-408-4211. Classes are starting soon!

Pharmacy Technician Careers & Work Environment

Pharmacy Technicians work under the supervision of pharmacists, who must review prescriptions before they are given to patients. In most states, Technicians can compound or mix some medications and call physicians for prescription refill authorizations. Technicians also may need to operate automated dispensing equipment when filling prescription orders. Pharmacy Technicians and aides work in clean, organized, well-lighted, and well-ventilated areas. Most of their workday is spent on their feet. They may be required to lift heavy boxes or to use stepladders to retrieve supplies from high shelves. Pharmacy Technicians and aides often have varying schedules that include nights, weekends, and holidays. In facilities that are open 24 hours a day, such as hospital pharmacies, technicians and aides may be required to work nights. Many Technicians and aides work part time.

Graduates of the program routinely find jobs working in:

Pharmacies and drug stores
Medical and surgical hospitals
Compounding laboratories
Grocery pharmacies
And other health care related facilities.

Quick Facts about Pharmacy Technicians*

Pharmacy Technicians work primarily in pharmacies, including those found in grocery and drug stores. Some technicians work in hospitals or other health care facilities. Pharmacy Technicians spend most of the workday on their feet.
Pharmacy Technicians may be needed to take on a greater role in pharmacy operations because pharmacists are increasingly performing more patient care activities such as giving flu shots.
As the number of individuals who have health insurance continues to increase and more people have access to insurance coverage, more Pharmacy Technicians will be needed to handle their prescriptions.
Most Pharmacy Technicians work full time. Pharmacies may be open at all hours. Therefore, Pharmacy Technicians may have to work nights or weekends.
*Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm More information, including median wages and the job outlook for Pharmacy Technicians in California can be found in the California Occupational Guide published by the State of California Employment Development Department. For the latest national information, please visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Pharmacy Technician Course Material

The Pharmacy Technician training program at North-West College is a hands-on, career-focused program designed to educate and teach you the fundamental skills needed begin a new career working as a Pharmacy Technician. The program is divided into eight class course modules plus a 240-hour clinical internship where students apply the skills they learn in the classroom in an actual practice setting.

Seminar for Success

Orientation and success building course for Career Students. Review of basic math, language, vocabulary, and writing skills. Introduction to core career classes, availability of community resources, outlining, summarizing, managing credit, and other life skills

Drug Distribution

Trade/Generic Drugs, Basic Math Review, Use of Electrolytes in the Pharmacy, Drug Dosage Forms, Compounding Products, Use of Balances, Measuring Devices and other Pharmacy Equipment; Filling Cassettes, Different Drug Distribution Systems (Unit Dose vs. Traditional)

Admixture I

Trade/Generic Drugs, Basic Math Review, Working Conditions and Types of Schedules for Technicians, Miscellaneous Tasks the Technician is Expected to Perform, Aseptic Technique, Introduction to Working with the Vertical & Horizontal Flow Hoods

Admixture II

Trade/Generic Drugs, Basic Math Review, Aseptic Technique, Miscellaneous Tasks the Technician is Expected to Perform, Manufacturing of Sterile IV Additives, Chemotherapy Drug Administration, Working with the Vertical & Horizontal Flow Hoods

Pharmacology

Trade/Generic Drugs, Basic Math Review, Theory of Molecular Combination, Basic Anatomy, Where Different Classes of Drugs Act on the Body, Usual Reason for the Use of this Classification of Drug, Usual Dose of the Drug, Medical Terminology, Arabic and Roman Numerals

Retail/Communications

Trade/Generic Drugs, Basic Math Review, History of Pharmacy, Effective Communication Techniques and Theories, Methods of Speaking with Professionals and Patients; Pharmacy Law; Information Regarding the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and Drug Schedules, Introduction to the Apothecary, Avoirdupois and Metric Systems, Transcribing Physicians’ Orders, Typing Pharmacy Labels, Pricing Prescriptions, Third Party, Medi-Cal, and Medicare Insurance Billing for Prescriptions, Insurance Verification, Keeping Accurate Records in the Pharmacy

Home Health/Closed Door

Trade/Generic Drugs, Basic Math Review, Significant Numbers, Diabetes Drugs and Treatment, Celsius and Fahrenheit Temperature Conversions, Types of Durable Medical Equipment Pharmacies Supply, Drugs and Treatment for AIDS, Configuring Body Surface Area, Compounding, Hormone Replacement Therapy

Career Seminar

Internship Workshop, Career Readiness Workshops, New Student Orientation, and CPR Certification.

Clinical Internship

Internship to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom in an actual practice setting

Pharmacy Technician Course Activities

As a Pharmacy Technician, your job tasks and responsibilities may include: receiving incoming prescriptions, transcribing physician’s orders, calculating doses, using drug distribution systems, preparing IVs, packaging medications, filling patient cassettes, labeling prescriptions, and interfacing with patients. Best of all, your career skills will travel with you wherever you go.

Pharmacy Technicians typically perform the following tasks:

Collecting information to fill prescriptions from customers or health professionals
Measuring amounts of medication for prescriptions
Sterile and non-sterile drug compounding
Packaging and labeling prescriptions
Organizing inventory and alerting pharmacists to shortages of medications or supplies
Accepting payment for prescriptions and process insurance claims
Recording customer or patient prescription information
Answering customer phone calls
Arranging for customers to speak with pharmacists to answer questions about medications or other health matters

Pharmacy Technician Frequently Asked Questions

Below, you’ll find a list of commonly asked questions about the Pharmacy Technician Program at North-West College:

Pharmacy Technician duties can vary depending on where they work. Usually, Pharmacy Technicians are responsible for receiving and confirming prescriptions—verifying patient insurance coverage. Responsibilities can also include preparing and filling prescriptions along with organizing and managing inventory. In addition, Pharmacy Technicians spend a large amount of time interacting with customers, both over the phone and in person. They also process payments for prescriptions and arrange for individuals to speak with the Pharmacist if they have additional questions about their medicine. In most states, technicians can call physicians with prescription refill authorizations and compound or mix certain medications.

Pharmacy Technicians work under the supervision of a Pharmacist, who must review all prescriptions before a patient receives them. Technicians have the opportunity to work at many locations, including pharmacies and drug stores, medical and surgical hospitals compounding laboratories, pharmacies in grocery stores, and a number of health care related facilities.

While not all states require Pharmacy Technicians to have completed specific education, most states do require training and certification for Pharmacy Technicians. Choosing North-West College’s (NWC) accredited Pharmacy Technician Program can equip you with the skills you need to succeed in the health care field. All of our programs at NWC include hands-on practice in our labs as well as a clinical externship, allowing you to put your newfound knowledge into practice in a real-world setting. This helpful combination means you can hit the ground running when you enter the World of Work!

Not all states require technicians to be certified, but many do. Having this certification will not only make you more marketable when applying for positions, but it also shows employers you have the right skills and knowledge to succeed in your role as a Pharmacy Technician. Many individuals find the pay is higher for Certified Pharmacy Technicians as well.

After completing North-West College’s accredited Pharmacy Technician Program, you can apply to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). Once you are approved to take the PTCE and pass the examination, you will be considered a nationally Certified Pharmacy Technician.

While Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacists work closely together, their job responsibilities and level of training vary widely. Most Pharmacy Technicians attend a short-term training program and earn their certification. Pharmacists, on the other hand, must hold a doctoral degree in pharmacology (a six-year degree), complete a one-year internship under a licensed Pharmacist, and pass the NAPLEX. And, while Pharmacy Technicians may accept prescriptions from patients and even fill them, they cannot dispense any medication without the Pharmacist first reviewing it. In addition, Pharmacy Technicians may not offer medical advice to patients; instead they must refer patients to the Pharmacist with their medication questions.

For those interested in an in-demand job in the health care field, becoming a Pharmacy Technician can be a great option. As the population continues to age, the need for medications will also increase, leading to a demand for trained Pharmacy Technicians. A Pharmacy Technician career can also be good for those who like the idea of working closely with other people (including Pharmacists and customers), but who do not want to deliver direct patient care. Also, those interested in eventually becoming a Pharmacist, may also want to consider first working as a Pharmacy Technician. It offers insight into the field and a solid foundation of skills and knowledge they can later build on as they continue your education. Plus, individuals can complete North-West College’s Pharmacy Technician Program in less than a year, putting them on their way toward a fulfilling career fast.

North-West College has locations throughout Southern California, so there is likely one close to you! The Pharmacy Technician Program is available at the following NWC campuses: San Diego, West Covina, Pomona, Van Nuys, Glendale, Riverside, and Long Beach.

The Pharmacy Technician Program is 40 weeks long, or approximately 9 months.

Yes, at North-West College, we understand that it can be challenging to juggle going to College with family, work, and other responsibilities. That’s why we offer convenient day and evening classes for most of our health care training programs, so you can choose the one that’s right for you. To learn more, please contact a representative at the campus nearest you.

Classes begin throughout the year. Please contact your local North-West College campus to learn when the next program is scheduled to start.

Questions?

Let us help you launch your career by contacting us today. Simply fill out the form below or call us at

1-888-408-4211

Classes are starting soon!