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When students pursue start the journey of becoming a certified pharmacy technician through the University of Providences Pharmacy Technician Certificate, not only will they learn leading skills required of today’s technicians, but they will learn them from industry experts.

Over the course of the programs, students’ skills are refined each week through repeated and consistent practice, real-world skill lab integrations help to perfect technique and practice applications, and a guided internship puts skills to the ultimate test in a real-world pharmacy technician role. Graduates are well-suited to not only excel in skill proficiency during national certification, but across any certified pharmacy technician role.

Learn more about how to become a certified pharmacy technician.

Understand the Pharmacy Technician Role

Certified Pharmacy technicians serve a critical role in the U.S. healthcare system. Along with pharmacists and other pharmacy support staff, technicians assist in the management, preparation and distribution of prescription medications across retail and healthcare locations.

Primarily serving in support and assist roles, certified pharmacy technicians are responsible for the everyday functions and operations of a pharmacy. Although the tasks they perform may seem rudimentary and, in some cases, non-specialized, there are strict rules, guidelines, and regulations overarching their work inside pharmacies. Technicians must abide by all state, federal and employee regulations while ensuring compliance with strict codes whenever handling medications.

Within the pharmacy discipline there are many places a technician can find work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases reports detailing the most common places for technicians to be found working. Among the most common locations are hospitals, local, retail, or commercial pharmacy locations, or in pharmaceutical research and development centers. Technicians can also be found working in large clinics, long-term care facilities, and even some doctors’ offices. While the specifics of each position may vary, the core responsibilities of technicians remain consistent.

Some common certified pharmacy technician responsibilities include:

• Identifying, filling, and preparing patient prescriptions
• Receiving, inventorying, and organizing large incoming medication shipments
• Preparing and packaging various forms of medications for fulfillment
• Accepting and processing patient personal, medical, financial and insurance information
• Providing customer support by answering patient questions and concerns about medications

Understanding Pharmacy Technician Education

With a general understanding of what a certified pharmacy technician is and what they do, it’s time to explore how to become one. Today’s certified pharmacy technician training and education does not require students to attend lengthy degree programs or expensive trainings. In fact, most pharmacy technician positions require less than an associates degree with many requiring only a non-degree academic certificate. While the length of a pharmacy technician programs will vary by institution, many can be obtained in between 6 to 12 months.

Explore the common pharmacy technician education pathway:

1. Graduate High School: A requirement for all college and university programs is the successful completion of high school of the procurement of a GED. Additionally, most positions as a certified pharmacy technician require employees to retain a high school diploma or GED.
2. Enroll in a Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program: Certificate programs are offered across various academic and vocational organizations, with each structured in a different way. Some certified pharmacy technician programs are apprenticeship based, others rely heavily on classroom learning, some are taught by academic institutions, others only by employers. When selecting a program, it’s important to scrutinize how the curriculum is taught, what type of in-person, hands on training there will be, and supports for national certification are offered.
3. Graduate Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program: Once a program is selected and successfully completed, technicians will often move onto securing national certification. While there are a variety of different pharmacy technician certifications that can be earned, most positions encourage students to test of the CPhT, or the Certified Pharmacy Technician through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. While different states have different requirements on whether the CPhT is required to practice, it is encouraged for all graduates of a pharmacy tech program to secure one due to many employers requiring it regardless of state laws.
4. Test for National Certification: National certification as a certified pharmacy technician adds an additional layer of credential onto a technicians resume that in some states is required, and others showcases further dedication and commitment to the role. The certification test is a comprehensive pharmacy technician exam that tests students on their skill and knowledge related to the pharmacy technician scope of practice. Securing certification can not only boost a technician resume but may offer increased pay and other benefits.

Become a Pharmacy Tech through UP

The University of Providence offers a unique lineup of certified pharmacy technician programs and supports designed to offer a roadmap for those interested in the field. Students who choose UP can enroll as either a traditional student or an Earn-While-You-Learn (EWYL) student. Both paths have students taking the same courses, receiving the same in-person skills training, and preparing for certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam Prep course and internship.

Through the EWYL program, students first apply for and get hired as a pharmacy technician under a special work application through one of UPs participating partner pharmacies. It’s important to remember that positions are made available at select partner pharmacies, with hiring for each position done at the discretion of the hiring pharmacies. Therefore, all applicants should first check for and apply to job openings found on the UP website before applying to UP’s pharmacy tech program. Since positions are limited, not all eligible students will be hired for EWYL positions. However, students are encouraged to apply directly or roll their admission.

Discover UPs Pharmacy Technician Program

To learn more about UP’s pharmacy technician program, Earn-While-You-Learn program, and available pharmacy locations, visit the Pharmacy Technician page.