Pharmacy Technician
As a pharmacy technician, you will help the pharmacist package or mix prescriptions, 
maintain client records, refer clients to the pharmacist for counseling, assist with inventory control and purchasing as well as collect payment and coordinate billing. This course consists of 200 hours of accelerated classroom training with emphasis on
skills mastery through hands-on practice and supervision.
Course Fee: $2595 Includes consumable supplies and certificate of completion.
OR $2712 includes consumable supplies, certificate of completion and NHA ExCPT certification exam.
Financial Assistance: Students with a need for financial assistance may contact Sallie Mae for a loan. There is also a parent-initiated loan option available with Sallie Mae. We are listed as CTCD-Continuing Education on the Sallie Mae site, school code 00400398. Sallie Mae includes 4 months of free Chegg® study help - a $100 value.
Students who qualify may use MyCAA benefits. Contact MyCAA to see if you qualify.
Starting Pay: The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $33,950 in May 2019. Due to the increase in pharmaceutical needs of a larger, aging population, growth in this occupation will be almost as fast as the average for all others in the state. According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, the need for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow 4 percent by 2029.
Certification: Upon successful completion, graduates will receive a certificate of completion within 2-3 weeks after class ends. Students are then eligible to apply for registration as a pharmacy technician in their state and be prepared to take the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam.
PTCB - Recognized Education / Training Program!
Beginning in 2020, PTCB will change its eligibility requirements for the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) Program. A primary pathway to eligibility will be completion of a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program.
Take Your Exam: Contact CTC Central Campus Testing to schedule your PTCB Certification Exam!
Schedule: Classes are held on CTC central campus in Killeen during the weekdays and are taught at an accelerated pace.
Optional Clinical Experience: Explore the fundamentals of the diverse roles and practice of pharmacy technicians in an institutional pharmacy setting. Course includes an-depth coverage of hospital pharmacy organization, work flow and personnel, safety techniques, data entry, packaging and labeling operations, inpatient drug distribution systems including investigational drugs, continuous quality improvement and inventory control. (Clock hours/50, CEUs 5)
Cost/$649
Program Requirements: Students must be at least 18 years of age at the time of enrollment. Students need competency in basic computer operations and will be required to have access to the internet, printing capabilities and an email address. Application packets must include:
- High school diploma/transcript or G.E.D or official transcripts of higher education.
- Two references (relatives may not be used) must be completed on Continuing Education forms.
To view a comprehensive description of Continuing Education's Pharmacy Technician Program, see our Program Summary. For additional information or to register for the program, contact us at 254-526-1586.
FAQs about Pharmacy Technicians
WHAT IS A PHARMACY TECHNICIANS WORK ENVIRONMENT LIKE?
Pharmacy technicians held about 422,300 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of pharmacy technicians were as follows:
| Pharmacies and drug stores |
51% |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private |
17 |
| Food and beverage stores |
9
|
WHAT IS A PHARMACY TECHNICIANS WORK SCHEDULE LIKE?
Most pharmacy technicians work full time. Pharmacies may be open at all hours. Therefore, pharmacy technicians may have to work nights or weekends.
WHAT TYPES OF TASKS DOES A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN DO?
Pharmacy technicians typically do the following:
- 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
