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MEDICAL PROGRAMS

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 in the Pharmacy Technician Program?

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. 

Our pharmacy technician programs offer courses that 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 pharmacy technician school 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

 

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 for our pharmacy technician school.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.

Pharmacy Technician Career Opportunities

Pharmacy technicians fill prescription medications and dispense it to customers or health professionals. Between 2019 and 2029 employment for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow 4% nationally, as fast as the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.3

The national media salary for a pharmacy technician was $35,100 per year or $16.87 per hour in May 2019.3 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 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.

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 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.

Read Our Career Guide On Pharmacy Technology

Pharmacy technicians hold a unique place in health care in that they can work in a variety of settings. They get to interact with customers as well as doctors, pharmacists and other medical professionals.

Learn More

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 much does a pharmacy technician make?

The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $33,950 in May 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)5. The lowest 10% earned less than $24,120, and the highest 10% earned more than $49,130. Be advised, salary for entry level positions may be lower than the national average.

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 for how much a pharmacy tech program costs. 

Is becoming a pharmacy tech worth it?

Ultimately, it is up for you to decide if becoming a pharmacy tech is worth it. Some benefits include quick training programs, a median annual wage of $33,9505, and a positive job outlook. According to the BLS, employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow 4% between 2019 and 2029, about the same as all occupations.6 

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:7

  • 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:8

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

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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 April 4, 2021). Data reflects a national projected percentage change in employment from 2019-2029 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.
  5. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm#tab-5
  6. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm#tab-6
  7. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm#tab-2
  8. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm#tab-4