Program Overview

Online Pharmacy Technician Course

The Online Pharmacy Technician Course is a 100% online program designed to prepare students for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) National Certification exam and an externship with a leading pharmacy chain.

Course Objectives

The course objectives include:

• Learning federal and state laws that govern pharmacies, as well as the ethics of pharmacy practice
• Preparing students to sit for the National Certification exam titled Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
• Becoming eligible to apply for a 100+ hour externship at a national pharmacy chain

Prerequisites and Requirements

• There are no prerequisites to take this course
• The externship requires that students have a high school diploma and be at least 18 years old

Curriculum

The curriculum includes:

• Orientation to Pharmacy: Introduction to law, liability, and federal regulations of controlled substances
• Pharmacy Law and Ethics: Introduction to law, liability, and federal regulations of controlled substances
• Pharmaceutical Calculations: Basic, community, and institutional pharmacy math to calculate dosages and dilutions
• Pharmacology: The science of pharmacology, evolution of drugs, and administration of pharmacological agents
• Communication Skills: Verbal and non-verbal methods, HIPAA regulations
• Insurance and Inventory Procedures: Cost analysis, purchasing procedures, and record keeping
• Lab Module: Interactive lab for the retail and hospital settings
• Clinical Rotations: Virtual externship in the retail and hospital settings
• Final Exam: Final comprehensive exam to qualify for externship

Instructors

• Melissa Dunworth: Certified pharmacy technician since 1997, registered with the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy, holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences
• Betty Stahl: Holds a doctorate in pharmacy from Shenandoah University, has taught pharmacy technician programs at ASA College in New York City and ACT in Arlington, Virginia, and has worked as a pharmacist in independent and hospital settings

Job Outlook for Pharmacy Technicians

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for pharmacy technicians will grow 12% through 2028, with an average annual salary of $32,700 and top earners making up to $47,000 per year.

Pharmacy Technicians FAQs

• What does a pharmacy technician do?: Orders and stocks medications, prepares medications for distribution, and provides information to patients
• Do pharmacy technicians need a certification?: Requirements vary by state, but most require certification, registration, or licensure
• How long does it take to complete a pharmacy technician course?: This pharmacy technician course can be completed in one year or less, not including the time spent in an externship program or preparing and sitting for state licensure
• Is a pharmacy technician a good career?: As the population ages and the prevalence of chronic diseases rises, more pharmacy technicians will be needed in pharmacies and may take on greater responsibilities
• What is clinical experience?: An unpaid, hands-on experience where students work at a site after completing their course, with eligibility requiring a 70% or higher course completion and either being current with loan payments or paid in full.