Pharmacy Technician

This program is approved for Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act funding for individuals that qualify. To determine your eligibility and suitability of program, please call 815-224-0374.

Overview 

Become a Pharmacy Technician

There’s no shortage of pharmacies in need of skilled pharmacy technicians! This 100% online pharmacy technician course will prepare you for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) National Certification exam and help you complete a practicum experience with a leading pharmacy chain. 

Job Outlook for Pharmacy Technicians
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for pharmacy technicians will grow 8% through 2032—that equates to over 30,000 new jobs!

The BLS notes that the average pharmacy technician salary is $32,700, with top earners making up to $47,000 per year.

Pharmacy Technicians FAQs

WHAT DOES A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN DO?
Pharmacy technicians order and stock medications, prepare medications for distribution and provide information to patients. Pharmacy technicians may perform many of the same duties as a pharmacist; however, their work must be approved by a pharmacist before medication can be dispensed. 

DO PHARMACY TECHNICIANS NEED A CERTIFICATION?
Requirements for pharmacy technicians vary by state, but most require certification, registration or licensure. Earning your certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) provides a valuable, industry-recognized credential that meets most states’ requirements.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN COURSE?
This pharmacy technician course can be completed in one year or less. This does not include the time you spend in a practicum experience 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 even see themselves taking on greater responsibilities in their role.

Course Objectives

• Develop the knowledge and skills to excel as a pharmacy technician and perform all related tasks and responsibilities with confidence.
• Gain practical knowledge of medication processing and handling procedures including the ability to identify medication orders and read prescription forms accurately.
• Learn federal and state laws that govern pharmacies, as well as the ethics of pharmacy practice.
• Be fully prepared to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB, and earn your Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPht) credential.
• Become eligible for a 100+hour practicum experience to further enhance your professional skills.

Prerequisites and Requirements
There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, the practicum experience requires that you have a high school diploma and be at least 18 years old.

Instructors

Melissa Dunworth
Melissa Dunworth has been a pharmacy technician for over 13 years and has worked in retail, closed pharmacy, and training/education areas during her career. Melissa holds a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences and works as a Developmental Specialist in Early Intervention for children ages 0 to 3 years. She has been a certified pharmacy technician since 1997. Melissa is also registered with the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy.

Betty Stahl
Betty Stahl holds a doctorate in pharmacy from Shenandoah University. Over the past several years, she has taught pharmacy technician programs at ASA College in New York City and ACT in Arlington, Virginia. Stahl has also worked as a pharmacist in independent and hospital settings.

Lorraine Zentz
Lorraine Zentz holds a bachelor’s degree in science (Biology/Chemistry), a master’s degree in education (Curriculum and Instruction), and Colorado Teaching License for middle and high school science and math. She is the original author of the Cengage Pharmacy Technician Program, facilitating students from 2003–2018. Working in hospital pharmacies for 30 years, along with teaching, has been her passion and remains so to this day.

Registration and Enrollment

This course is 100% online. Start anytime.

TUITION

Pharmacy Technician (Voucher Included): $2,995

Learn More About This Program and Enroll Now

Contact: The IVCC Continuing Education Center (815) 224-0427. A 12 month payment plan may be available for eligible students.  

Program Metrics (2018 – 2022)

· 72% completion rate - 20 students enrolled; 13 successfully completed, 5 incomplete, 2 in progress.

Labor Market Information:

Employment of pharmacy technicians in LWA 4 is projected to grow 12 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. Currently, Illinois employs over 1600 pharmacy technicians. In LWA 4 there is an average of 20 job openings per year (7 new and 13 replacements) at an average wage of $32,000.

Several factors will lead to increased demand for prescription medications. The population is aging, and older people typically use more prescription medicines than younger people. Higher rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes among all age groups also will lead to increased demand for prescription medications. Advances in pharmaceutical research will allow for more prescription medications to be used to fight diseases. In addition, pharmacy technicians may be needed to take on a greater role in pharmacy operations because pharmacists are increasingly performing more patient care activities such as giving flu shots. Technicians will need to perform tasks such as collecting patient information, preparing more types of medications, and verifying the work of other technicians, tasks formerly done by pharmacists.

Local Partners in support of hiring certified Pharmacy Technicians:

Kyle Thornsbrough, Store Director – HyVee, Peru
Timothy Ricci, Pharmacist, CVS Pharmacy Manager, Peru

Additional Online Healthcare Certification and Career Training Programs Available

Additional program options include: Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Transcription, Advanced Coding, Electronic Health Records Specialist and more. Learn more now 

Check Out IVCC Career Services

IVCC’s Career Services Department assists IVCC students, alumni and the employers of the IVCC District. Receive assistance with resume writing and critiquing, tips on the job search process including cover letters and interviewing. Visit IVCC Career Services.