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Pharmacy Technology

Earn your Certificate of Achievement  and prepare for the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) national certification exam.*

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At a Glance

  • Complete your certificate in as few as 9 months

  • Offered at 13 locations in AZ, CA, ID, NM, OR, and WA

  • Earn your Certificate of Achievement and prepare for  the CPhT national certification exam**

  • Affordable tuition varies by location, learn more now

About the Program

What Will I Learn

Carrington’s Pharmacy Technology program provides both theory and practical training, which enables technicians, upon licensure*, to function as a competent entry-level assistant to a licensed pharmacist. 

Courses cover topics including knowledge of pharmacy calculations, drug distribution systems, characteristics of drugs, and how to prepare sterile dosage forms.

The online degree program, which is only offered to graduates of the Certificate of Achievement program within the State of California, 

 includes a broad base of general education course offerings focusing on:

  • Computer literacy
  • English writing and composition
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social sciences

*States vary in terms of certification, licensure and scope of practice for pharmacy technicians. Generally, students must register with their state’s Board to become a pharmacy technician in-training. Timeframes for completion vary by state, but all states require that pharmacy technicians attain licensure.

Graduates of the Spokane program are approved to practice in the State of Washington.

Program Outcomes

Pharmacy technicians receive and fill prescriptions under the supervision of licensed pharmacists. Duties related to the daily operation of the pharmacy are often parts of the job, such as answering phones, creating prescription labels, maintaining patient profiles and prescription histories, completing cash register transactions, preparing insurance claim forms and inventory tasks. 

Upon completion of the Pharmacy Technology program, graduates will be able to: 

  • Demonstrate the skills and knowledge necessary to function as a competent entry-level assistant to a licensed pharmacist  
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and professionalism

 

Campus Locations

Carrington College’s Pharmacy Technology certificate program is available at 13 campuses in 6 states. To learn more about each location, explore their campus pages.

Albuquerque, NM

Boise, ID

Citrus Heights, CA

Mesa, Arizona

Phoenix, AZ

Pleasant Hill, CA

Portland, OR

Sacramento, CA

San Jose, CA

San Leandro, CA

Spokane, WA

Stockton, CA

Tucson, AZ

Student Life at Carrington College

We know college is a big step. But education can be the first step in building a better future. Your instructors, administrators and fellow students are there to help if you ever hit a bump in the road along the way. Carrington College offers a lot of great student support services designed to help you succeed.

Student Finance

From scholarships and grants to loans, we will help you understand how to search and apply for financial aid.1

Tutoring and Study Groups

For help with schoolwork, your instructors and Student Success Center staff are often available for tutoring or you can join in an open student study group.

Fixed Tuition Promise

How would you like to know what you’re going to pay, right from the beginning? We promise your tuition won’t change through the length of your program. It’s our commitment to you.2

Externships, Clinical Rotations and Fieldwork

Most programs include an opportunity to learn in the real world before you even graduate! You’ll earn impressive experience that looks great on your resume.

Career Services

After graduation, we’ll help you with your career search with everything from resume writing help to job search support to interview tips.

Job Outlook

Pharmacy technicians fill prescription medications and dispense it to customers or health professionals. Between 2018 and 2028 employment for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow 7% nationally, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.3

The national media salary for a pharmacy technician was $32,700 per year or $15.72 per hour in May 2018.3 For detailed regional information please visit https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292052.htm#st.

Pharmacy technicians work in pharmacies in grocery stores or hospitals. Most work full time, while others work part time to help fill in for holidays and busy seasons.

Program Specific Disclosures

Your Prescription for Success is at Carrington College.

In Carrington College’s Pharmacy Technology program, you’ll receive a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience. When you complete the program, you should be prepared to put your skills to use as a pharmacy technician. Our program is built to give you the information and experience you need to be able to:

  • Receive, prepare and dispense prescriptions
  • Verify prescription information
  • Maintain customer profiles and patient histories
  • Prepare for the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) national certification exam4

Cost & Financial Aid

Education is a major investment, but it’s an investment in your future. Every student comes to Carrington with unique financial needs. Carrington College is committed to helping you achieve your education goals. We participate in most financial assistance programs, both federal and state, as well as private financing. Each program has different requirements and application instructions. Student loans, grants, and scholarships are available to those who qualify.

For complete information on current tuition costs, please see the Academic Catalog. 

The best way for us to understand your financial needs is to meet in person. Call (602) 492-1086 to set an appointment with our Student Finance Department so we can help you develop your personalized financial plan to achieve your educational goals.

Accreditation and Approvals

Carrington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC/WASC), 10 Commercial Blvd., Suite 204, Novato, CA 94949, 415 506 0234, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the US Department of Education. Additional information about accreditation, including the filing of complaints against member institutions, can be found at accjc.org.

The Pharmacy Technology programs at the Albuquerque, Boise, Citrus Heights, Mesa, Phoenix, Pleasant Hill, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Jose, San Leandro, Spokane, Stockton, and Tucson campuses are accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists, 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814, 301 657 3000, https://www.ashp.org/ProfessionalDevelopment/Technician-Program-Accreditation. 

The Spokane campus Pharmacy Technology program is approved by the Washington State Board of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 1099, Olympia, WA 98507 – 1099, 360 236 4700, hsqa.csc@doh.wa.gov.

For comprehensive information on Carrington’s accreditation and approvals, visit carrington.edu/accreditation.

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Disclaimer

*Carrington College prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their individual majors. The College does not guarantee students will successfully pass these exams or be certified or licensed as a result of completing the program.

**Carrington College prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their individual majors. The College does not guarantee students will successfully pass these exams or be certified or licensed as a result of completing the program.

  1. Student loans, grants and scholarships are available to those who qualify.
  2. Fixed Tuition Promise is available for all Carrington College students who remain active and in good standing during the duration of their program. Students who withdraw or are withdrawn from school and are not reinstated within 180 days of their last date of attendance are subject to a tuition increase. Students who are required to repeat a course to fulfill graduation requirements are subject to additional expenses.
  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Pharmacy Technicians, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm (visited January 01, 2020). Data reflects a national projected percentage change in employment from 2018-2028 and may not reflect local economic conditions.
  4. Individuals seeking to enter this career field may be subject to screenings such as, but not limited to, criminal background checks and drug/alcohol testing prior to externship, to attain occupational licensure/certification or employment, and throughout their careers.