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MEDICAL PROGRAMSPharmacy
Technology

Prepare for an exciting career in health care with Carrington College’s Pharmacy Technology and Pharmacy Technician programs.

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Carrington Pharmacy Technology
Real-World Skills
With many classes to guide you, you’re certain to be prepared for your career.
Uplevel If You’d Like
Earn your Certificate of Completion.
Flexible Learning Options
Offered at 12 locations in AZ, CA, ID, NM, OR, and WA.
Affordable Tuition
Affordable tuition varies by program and location.

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Discover What it’s Like to Train to Become a Pharmacy Technician at Carrington College

Discover What it’s Like to Train to Become a Pharmacy Technician at Carrington College

“”
Carrington prepared me by giving me the knowledge and confidence that I didn’t know I had before continuing my education.
Michael H.2021 Pharm Tech Graduate

Ready to Do This?

Find your path as a pharmacy technician

Talk to an enrollment services representative about your options. You could graduate in as few as 9 months!

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What Will I learn?

NERVOUS SYSTEM, ANTI-INFECTIVES AND RETAIL OPERATIONS THEORY
This course introduces students to the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and pharmacological effects of medications and antimicrobial therapies on it. Emphasis is placed on pain management, pharmacology and psychopharmacology as they relate to diseases such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease and the medications used in their treatment. Over-the-counter-medications theory and practical use are introduced.
PRESCRIPTION PROCESSING, PHARMACY SOFTWARE AND PHARMACY CALCULATIONS THEORY
This course covers pharmacy-related federal laws and regulations and provides a clear and concise method of calculating oral and parenteral drug dosages and medication-days supplies. Also covered are systems of measurement, mathematics, ratio proportions and conversions between the Metric, US Customary and Apothecary systems of measurement. This course also introduces students to the ratio proportion method of solving mathematical equations related to the practice of pharmacy.

Career Opportunities

Pharmacy technicians fill prescription medications and dispense it to customers or health professionals.

Carrington College pharmacy technology student in pharmacy smiling

Program Details

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 by offering financial aid for our pharmacy technician programs. 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.

Program Availability

Carrington College’s Pharmacy Technology certificate program is available at 12 campuses in 6 states. To learn more about each location, explore their campus pages.

Accreditation & Approvals

Carrington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC/WASC), 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 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-and-approvals/.

Carrington’s Health Studies Associate of Science Degree program provides an opportunity for individuals to build on prior education to earn the educational credential that is often needed for advancement in the health and wellness fields.

The Health Studies AS Degree program is an online degree-completion option that offers students a broad base of general education course offerings that can be completed in as few as 7 months.  Visit Our Health Studies Page

Pharmacy technician in compounding lab

Check out our guide on becoming a Pharmacy Technician.

Are you interested in math, anatomy, physiology and health care? Would you like to find a career that combines these interests? Then pharmacy technology may interest you.

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Pharmacist with face mask holding a pill bottle

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Pharmacy Technician FAQ

What is a pharmacy technician?

A pharmacy technician assists pharmacists and interacts with patients, helping people get the medications they need. A pharmacy technician will work in a pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist to help fulfill prescriptions and interact with the public.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?

While becoming a pharmacist requires a doctoral degree and years of schooling, the time it takes to become a pharmacy technician is much shorter. Carrington College’s Pharmacy Technology program can be completed in as few as nine months.

What schooling does a pharmacy tech need?

A pharmacy technician may be required to attend a postsecondary program, such as Carrington College’s Pharmacy Technology program. Pharmacy technician requirements are regulated by state boards of pharmacy and vary by location.

How much does a pharmacy tech program cost?

The cost of a Pharmacy Technology program varies greatly depending on the school you choose to attend, any financial aid you receive, and the location of your program. Check out our Net Price Calculator to get a sense of how much a pharmacy tech program costs.

What degree do you need for a pharmacy tech?

One benefit of working as a pharmacy technician is that you do not need a degree to become one. While individual state’s set their own standards for how to become a pharmacy tech, most only require a certificate from an approved postsecondary school. Carrington College’s Pharmacy Technology program can be completed in as few as nine months and helps prepare you for the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) national certification exam.

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.

What does a pharmacy technician do?

According to the BLS, common pharmacy technician job duties include:2

  • Collect information needed to fill a prescription from customers or health professionals
  • Measure amounts of medication for prescriptions
  • Package and label prescriptions
  • Organize inventory and alert pharmacists to any shortages of medications or supplies
  • Accept payment for prescriptions and process insurance claims
  • Enter customer or patient information, including any prescriptions taken, into a computer system
  • Answer phone calls from customers
  • Arrange for customers to speak with pharmacists if customers have questions about medications or health matters
How to get a pharmacy technician license?

How to get a pharmacy technician license will depend on the state in which you want to work. Check your state’s board of pharmacy for specific requirements. Some common requirements include:3

  • Formal training program
  • Exam
  • Fees
  • Continuing education
  • Criminal background check

What is a pharmacy technician?

A pharmacy technician assists pharmacists and interacts with patients, helping people get the medications they need. A pharmacy technician will work in a pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist to help fulfill prescriptions and interact with the public.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?

While becoming a pharmacist requires a doctoral degree and years of schooling, the time it takes to become a pharmacy technician is much shorter. Carrington College’s Pharmacy Technology program can be completed in as few as nine months.

What schooling does a pharmacy tech need?

A pharmacy technician may be required to attend a postsecondary program, such as Carrington College’s Pharmacy Technology program. Pharmacy technician requirements are regulated by state boards of pharmacy and vary by location.

How much does a pharmacy tech program cost?

The cost of a Pharmacy Technology program varies greatly depending on the school you choose to attend, any financial aid you receive, and the location of your program. Check out our Net Price Calculator to get a sense of how much a pharmacy tech program costs.

What degree do you need for a pharmacy tech?

One benefit of working as a pharmacy technician is that you do not need a degree to become one. While individual state’s set their own standards for how to become a pharmacy tech, most only require a certificate from an approved postsecondary school. Carrington College’s Pharmacy Technology program can be completed in as few as nine months and helps prepare you for the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) national certification exam.

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.

What does a pharmacy technician do?

According to the BLS, common pharmacy technician job duties include:2

  • Collect information needed to fill a prescription from customers or health professionals
  • Measure amounts of medication for prescriptions
  • Package and label prescriptions
  • Organize inventory and alert pharmacists to any shortages of medications or supplies
  • Accept payment for prescriptions and process insurance claims
  • Enter customer or patient information, including any prescriptions taken, into a computer system
  • Answer phone calls from customers
  • Arrange for customers to speak with pharmacists if customers have questions about medications or health matters

How to get a pharmacy technician license?

How to get a pharmacy technician license will depend on the state in which you want to work. Check your state’s board of pharmacy for specific requirements. Some common requirements include:3

  • Formal training program
  • Exam
  • Fees
  • Continuing education
  • Criminal background check

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. 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.
  2. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm#tab-2
  3. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm#tab-4