To receive free information on enrollment and financial aid from the top Pharmacy Technician Schools Online, click on the "Click Here" button next to the school that you are interested in:
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Ultimate Medical Academy – Offering a vast number of demanding degrees, Ultimate Medical Academy is a popular choice for students interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare industry. Their Associate’s Degree in Pharmacy Technician will prepare students for a number of entry-level positions in retail, hospitals, and mail-order pharmacology-related careers.  |
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South University – South University is a respected university dedicated in extending their quality programs to students interested in advancing in their careers but don't have the time to attend a traditional campus. South offers an online program in Allied Health Science which will give working students the opportunity to pursue a healthcare degree at a time convenient to them. |
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Keiser University – AS in Medical Assisting. Keiser University is an accredited online university offering numerous entry-level positions into the healthcare field. Students could earn a degree in Medical Assisting, which will allow them to work in a variety of healthcare settings under the supervision of a physician or doctor. |
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Virginia College – Preparing students for various careers, Virginia College is committed to providing students with real-world knowledge and experiences through their highly-qualified instructors. Students will receive the same academic excellence with Virginia College's online programs as they do at the college's traditional campuses. |
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Jones International University – Jones International University is dedicated to providing quality eduation for students passionate about learning. Their Health Care Management program gives students the chance to move up the ladder in their current positions and assume management or supervisory roles. |
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Penn Foster Career School – Penn Foster Career School is one of the top fully accredited pharmacy technician schools online, and their Pharmacy Technician certification program gives students affordable options that are designed for flexibility, which allow students to learn at their own pace all of the essential skills necessary to become a successful pharmacy technician. |
1) What Types of Pharmacy Technician Programs and Degrees Are Available?
CPhT; Pharmacy Technician Certificate – A certificate given to students that successfully pass the ExCPT, Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians. PTD; Pharmacy Technician Diploma – A formal training diploma program for pharmacy technicians who would rather learn the trade in a classroom setting rather than on the job. ASPT; Associate Degree of Science in Pharmacy Technology – A two-year associate’s degree in pharmacy technology will teach students how to be a successful pharmacy technician as well as give students an edge when looking for a job.
2) What Are the Degree or Experience Requirements to be a Pharmacy Technician?
According to the 2008- 2009 Occupation Outlook Handbook, pharmacy technicians may be required to be certified by a state board exam. Some employers will require the certification and others may prefer on the job training. Currently, only a few states require formal training or certification of pharmacy technicians. There are no federal requirements for formal training and certification of pharmacy technicians. Employers may require formal training or certification, but it’s a preference. A degree would certainly get you in the door faster than someone with no qualifications, however. Certification tests, again, are not required, but may help your career as a pharmacy technician move up the ladder quickly. If you are interested in taking a pharmacy technician certification test, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians oversee and administer national pharmacy technician certification exams.
3) Things to Consider When Choosing an Online Pharmacy Technician Program.
Here’s a few things to think about before you jump into a career as a pharmacy technician super hero. First only consider schools with professional, nationally-recognized accreditations. This will keep you from getting scammed, hopefully. Now move on to how you’d like to attend school. Do you have the discipline to do attend your online class and take the tests each week or so? If not, you may want to try a traditional classroom setting. If you can do it, check out reputable online pharmacy technician programs. You’ll need to fill out a FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, to receive any grants from the federal government and your school. So get your tax things together and send the form in as soon as possible. Be sure to check for early-priority dates and deadlines. Choose the program that you feel most comfortable with, provided you get accepted to several schools. Also evaluate tuition costs and scholarship and grant offerings. If you already have some on the job pharmacy technician training, you may want to see about taking the certification exam rather than attending an online pharmacy technician training program.
4) Five Online and Traditional Schools with Pharmacy Technician Programs:
- Pharmacy Technician Certificate
- Students that enroll in Penn Foster’s pharmacy technician program will learn skill such as how to receive prescriptions from doctors and hospitals, prepare prescriptions for patients, verify insurance and prescription information and assist the pharmacist with everyday duties.
- Pharmacy Technician Certificate
- Students who enroll in U.S. Career Institute’s online pharmacy technician program can complete their training in as little as four months or go at their own pace. U.S. Career Institute is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council.
- Pharmacy Technician Career Diploma
- Ashworth College offers enrolled students the option of paying monthly installments for tuition. Books and materials are included in the tuition price. The pharmacy technician program is comprised of 20 lessons that students can take traditionally or online.
- Pharmacy Technician Diploma
- High Tech Institute does not offer an online pharmacy technician program, but does offer training for a pharmacy technician career at multiple locations across the U.S. The cities that offer pharmacy technician programs are Dallas, Las Vegas, Orlando, Sacramento, Memphis and Minneapolis.
- Pharmacy Technician Diploma or Certificate
- Virginia College also only offers pharmacy technician training at traditional campuses across the country. Students may enroll in a pharmacy technician program at several locations in Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina and Mississippi.
5) What Salary and Careers are available to students with a Pharmacy Technician degree?
Students with a pharmacy technician degree may enter traditional pharmacies, retail or grocery pharmacies, medical hospitals or hospices – just to name a few. Typically a pharmacy technician will earn around $12 an hour. If you are certified, you may be able to earn more. According to the 2008-2009 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the top 10 percent of pharmacy technicians earned more than $17.56 an hour. The handbook predicts pharmacy technician careers will increase by 32 percent from 2006 to 2016. Job opportunities are expected to be "much faster than the average for all occupations."
6) Resources For Pharmacy Technician Students
Occupational Outlook Handbook – Pharmacy Technician – The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ report on the training and responsibilities as well as the career forecast for pharmacy technicians. Wikipedia – Pharmacy Technician – Wikipedia’s page dedicated to pharmacy technicians. As with all sources on the Internet, always double-check your facts. Wikipedia can be altered by nearly anyone with an account. Youtube – Career Focus on Pharmacy Technicians – A video on careers as a pharmacy technician, for a little media change of pace. The Boston Globe – Job Doc – Healthy Outlook for Pharmacy Career – Don’t believe the government? Check out this article from The Boston Globe about the sunny future of pharmacy technicians.