Much depends on the safety of a pharmacy. Not only do the medications have to be properly administered by the pharmacist, but the environment needs to be clean, orderly, and maintained. This job is done by a pharmacy technician. However, pharmacy technicians do much more than maintenance. They organize medications, prepare labels, and calculate quantities. They make sure that the pharmacy complies with proper procedures, rules, and regulations. They determine inventory level, place orders, and remove outdated drugs. They also prepare reports and ensure medication availability. Besides all this, they require people skills in order to greet providers and patients in person and on the phone.
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Obtaining a Pharmacy Technology Certificate online can be a faster and more affordable way to become a pharmacy technician. The certificate can be earned in less than 2 years and some online certificates can be earned in as little as 6 months. According to the 2020 update of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of pharmacy technology is predicted to grow at 7% from 2018 – 2028. This growth rate is faster than average, placing pharmacy technicians in a good position for acquiring a job. The expected growth rate is due to the increased demand of prescription medications. All of the Pharmacy Technician Certificate programs on this list can be completed 100% online which grants students flexibility as they embark on their careers as pharmacy technicians.
OnlineSchoolsCenter.com has compiled for you a list of the top Online Trade Pharmacy Technology Certificate Programs to consider. As the responsibility of a Pharmacy Technician is a great one, proper education is imperative. We have listed the below schools in random order in hopes that you will research each one and see what it has to offer. The following points were considered:
- Offers 100% Online Certificate Programs,
- Prepares students for the Board Exam,
- Provides curriculum pursuant to pharmacy regulations,
- Prepares students for an entry-level job as a Pharmacy Technician,
- Offering asynchronous classwork designed to allow for convenience and flexibility,
- Properly accredited,
- May offer internship programs,
- Offers supplemental programs designed to provide working adults with the knowledge needed for advancement or increase in salary,
- Provides scholarship opportunities, as well as financing options and military discounts,
- Can be completed within two years or less,
- Teaches pharmacology basics, drug distribution, record-keeping, and product preparation, and much more,
- Prepares students for careers in retail, hospital, nursing home or clinical settings.
To learn more, please see our Methodology page.
California State University – San Bernardino
Program Standouts: The online Pharmacy Technology certificate offered through California State University – San Bernardino prepares graduates for careers in retail pharmacies, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and mail-order pharmacies. The program is 100% online with externship options in conjunction with Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy. This program progresses through 14 learning modules and has a rolling enrollment policy, allowing new students to begin coursework at any time during the quarter. In addition to equipping students to work in the field, this program also prepares its students for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam (PTCB).
Campus Location: San Bernardino, California
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Acceptance and Graduation Rates:
- Acceptance: 57.1%
- Graduation: 52.1%
Admission Requirements:
- $55 application fee
- Online application
- High school transcripts
- SAT/ACT test scores
Sample Course Options and Requirements:
- Working at a pharmacy
- Medical work building
- Pharmacy law
- Pharmaceutical calculations
- Extensive externship of 200 hours
Degree Outcomes: This certificate program prepares graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to begin work in the field immediately. Graduates are able to work in both retail and institutional healthcare settings. This program prepares all students to pass the PTCB examination.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CALIFORNIA STATE – SAN BERNARDINO UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATE
Sinclair Community College
Program Standouts: Sinclair College’s online certificate in Pharmacy Technology is designed to quickly (in only 32 weeks) prepare its students to meet the rapidly increasing need for qualified pharmacy technicians. The program is fairly rigorous and requires that students earn at least a “B” grade in all classes in order to participate in real-world directed practice. This ensures that students possess a sound knowledge of pharmaceutical theory before they are required to practice dispensing potentially dangerous prescriptions. This program also prepares its students to pass the PTCB Examination immediately upon graduation.
Campus Location: Dayton, Ohio
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission
Acceptance and Graduation Rates:
- Acceptance: 100%
- Graduation: 14.7%
Admission Requirements:
- Open Enrollment
- Online Application
- $20 registration fee
- High School Transcript or proof of GED completion and scores
- Official Transcripts from other colleges attended
- ACT/SAT scores
Sample Course Options and Requirements:
- Introductory courses in human biology
- Introduction to healthcare delivery
- 2 courses in pharmacy technology
Degree Outcomes: This certificate program is designed to equip students to demonstrate a knowledge of the scope of pharmacy practice, including sterile and nonsterile compounding as well as pharmaceutical calculations. Graduates will also have demonstrated requisite knowledge and skill in the areas of handling sterile products as well as inventory control and repackaging. Finally, students will have acquired adequate knowledge of pharmacy practice, including the legal aspects of drug dispensing and the role of pharmacy technicians.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SINCLAIR COLLEGE’S ONLINE PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATE (PHT.S.CRT)
Allen Community College
Program Standouts: The Pharmacy Technology certificate offered online through Allen Community College is designed to prepare students with career skills needed for assisting with prescription orders, customer inquiries about over-the-counter drugs, medical records, and working in medical environments. The online certificate program comprises 31 credit hours and boasts 24/7 online technical and academic support. This certificate program requires a high deal of self-motivation and scheduled discipline. Courses are designed to meet the needs and requirements of business and industry employers.
Campus Location: Iola, Kansas
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Acceptance and Graduation Rates:
- Acceptance: 100%
- Graduation: 2.8%
Admission Requirements:
- Open Enrollment
- Online Application
- High School Transcript or proof of GED completion and scores
- Official Transcripts from other colleges attended
- ACT/SAT scores
Sample Course Options and Requirements:
- Pharmacology For Pharmacy Technicians
- Pharmacy Calculations
- Pharmacy Technicians Internship
- Natural Healing with Herbs
- Medical Terminology
Degree Outcomes: Graduates from this certificate program will possess the needed knowledge and skills to work in pharmaceutical settings that require technical assistance in the identification, measuring, and dispensing of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Graduates will also possess requisite knowledge and training in health sciences to work in the field. Finally, this certificate will prepare graduates for additional studies in pharmacy technology.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ALLEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S ONLINE PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATE
Hutchinson Community College
Program Standouts: A certificate in Pharmacy Technology can be earned in 3 semesters through Hutchinson Community College’s online certificate program. This 33 credit program is designed to combine low cost and high-quality education that is accessible for those who would like to pursue a career as a pharmacy technician but can’t commit to full-time, on-site studies. This program is designed to train students, through technical and general education, combining theory and hands-on experience, to succeed in a variety of pharmaceutical settings. A strong practice-based approach, combined with its recognition by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, makes Hutchinson’s pharmacy technology certificate program an excellent program for non-traditional students looking to embark on a career in pharmacy technology.
Campus Location: Hutchinson, Kansas
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission; American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Acceptance and Graduation Rates:
- Acceptance: 100%
- Graduation: 36.9%
Admission Requirements:
- Complete Online Application
- SAT/ACT test scores
- Official College Transcripts
- Official High School Transcripts
Sample Course Options and Requirements:
- Medical terminology
- Community pharmacy
- Pharmacy law
- Pharmacy practicum
- Pharmacy calculations
Degree Outcomes: This certificate program gives its graduates the ability to work in any pharmacy technology setting. This includes, but is not limited to community pharmacies, hospitals, and long-range care facilities. This PharmTech certificate gives graduates of the program the required skills and knowledge in regards to counting and measuring pharmaceuticals, assisting in compounding and preparing medications, as well as, reviewing patient records for accuracy in the delivery of medication.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S ONLINE PHARMTECH CERTIFICATE
North Central Missouri College
Program Standouts: The Pharmacy Technician certificate program offered at North Central Missouri College is one of the more thorough programs on this list. Comprising 60 credit hours, which can be earned in as little as 2 years, North Central Missouri College offers complete preparation for future pharmacy technicians through a curriculum of courses that can be earned online. This certificate program is designed to give a full-spectrum preparation for a career in pharmacy technology that includes the basics of human anatomy, medical law, and ethics as well as pharmacological practice, including pharmacy calculation and practice and employment strategies. This program is also designed to prepare students to successfully pass national certification exams. With its emphasis upon a complete education, coupled with the convenience and accessibility of online learning and support, this certificate program is an excellent option for persons seeking a career as a pharmacy technician.
Campus Location: Trenton, Missouri
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Acceptance and Graduation Rates:
- Acceptance: 100%
- Graduation: 38.3%
Admission Requirements:
- Completed Online application
- Official high school transcripts or GED certificate or home-school verification
- SAT/ACT scores or Compass scores
Sample Course Options and Requirements:
- Anatomy
- Basic medical terminology
- Physiology
- General biology
- Pharmacy calculations
- Pharmacy practice
- Pharmacy internship
Degree Outcomes: Graduates of this certificate program will have demonstrated competency:
- in filling prescriptions,
- measuring amounts of medication for prescriptions,
- packaging and labeling prescriptions, organizing inventory,
- accepting payment,
- processing insurance claims,
- entering patient information,
- arranging for patients to speak with pharmacists about questions pertaining to medication and/or health matters.
LEARN MORE ABOUT NORTH CENTRAL MISSOURI COLLEGE’S ONLINE PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATE
Barton Community College
Program Standouts: Barton Community College’s online certification program in Pharmacy Technology comprises 29 credit hours and is designed to be completed in a short amount of time: 2 semesters! The relative shortness of the program doesn’t mean that rigor is diminished and the range of education is contracted. On the contrary, Barton’s certificate program covers all the theory and practice needed to quickly find a job and successfully fulfill the duties of a pharmacy technician. Barton’s online format provides ease of access and scheduling flexibility for students in any situation. This certificate program emphasizes, in addition to strictly pharmaceutical matters, strong communication skills. This is because pharmacy technicians constantly interact with customers and patients. Finally, Barton’s commitment to preparing all its pharmacy technology students for certification exams, make this certificate program an attractive option.
Campus Location: Great Bend, Kansas
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Acceptance and Graduation Rates:
- Acceptance: 100%
- Graduation: 21%
Admission Requirements:
- Completed Application
- ACT or ASSET test scores
- Official transcripts
- High school
- Any previous college
Sample Course Options and Requirements:
- Orientation to pharmacy technology
- Medical terminology
- Pharmacy technician internship
- Advanced pharmacy operations
Degree Outcomes: Graduates from this certificate program will have demonstrated competency in the routine preparation of prescriptions and basic administrative tasks. Graduates from this program will be prepared to work in any pharmacy technology setting. Graduates will also be prepared for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT) national certification exams.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BARTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S ONLINE PHARMACY TECH CERTIFICATE
Brookline College
Program Standouts: This online diploma program is designed to be completed in less than 1 year (35 weeks). Brookline prides itself on its strong connections with local pharmacies and is committed to ensuring its Pharmacy Technology diploma graduates find work quickly. Not only is Brookline invested in the success of its graduates, but Brookline also reimburses its students’ certification exam fees upon successful completion of their exams. This diploma program will give its graduates the knowledge and skills to carry out the duties of a pharmacy technician in any setting where such knowledge and skills are needed.
Campus Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Accreditation: Provisionally Accredited; formerly accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
Acceptance and Graduation Rates:
- Acceptance: 100%
- Graduation: 45.9%
Admission Requirements:
- Completed Application
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- 18 Years of Age
- Transcripts of Previous Post-Secondary Work
Sample Course Options and Requirements:
- Basic healthcare concepts
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy operations
- Pharmacodynamics
- Pharmacokinetics
Degree Outcomes: This diploma program prepares graduates for immediate work in entry-level positions in pharmacy technology. To this end, this online diploma program will equip graduates to effectively function as a pharmacy technician in any of the following settings: hospital, pharmacy, mail order as well as other healthcare settings.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BROOKLINE COLLEGE’S ONLINE PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
Daymar College
Program Standouts: Daymar College’s online certificate program in Pharmacy Technology puts students under the directions of qualified professionals and technicians who provide the needed practical instruction and theoretical know-how to skillfully perform the functions and duties necessary in the variety of pharmacy technology occupations. Not only are science and pharmaceutical matters covered. Daymar also emphasizes the ethical and interpersonal components of a career as a pharmacy technician. Daymar’s online format provides program accessibility, while Daymar’s partnership with established, national pharmacy chains, such as Walgreens and CVS, make the internship component of earning a certificate in pharmacy technology more convenient across a wide range of locations.
Campus Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Accreditation: Provisionally Accredited; formerly accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
Acceptance and Graduation Rates:
- Acceptance: Unavailable
- Graduation: 33.1%
Admission Requirements:
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Interview with an Admissions Representative
- Complete an Admissions Evaluation
- Complete an Admissions Application
- Complete New Student Orientation
Sample Course Options and Requirements:
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacy terminology and calculation
- Anatomy and physiology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacy operations and claims
- Compounding
Degree Outcomes: This certificate program is designed to prepare its graduates to work in a variety of pharmacy settings. Graduates from this program will be able to assist pharmacists in “ordering, stocking, and packaging prescription and over-the-counter medications, maintaining recors, inventory control, and preparing insurance claims and labels. Pharmacy technicians assist licensed pharmacists in providing medication and other healthcare products to patients.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT DAYMAR COLLEGE’S ONLINE PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATE
Rasmussen College
Program Standouts: This Pharmacy Technician certificate can be earned online in as few as 9 months (38 credit hours) through Rasmussen College. This fast program is led by industry experts. Students are instructed in the preparation and handling of medicines, safety and quality assurance, technical skills and professionalism. Rasmussen offers a flexible learning timetable that is designed to accommodate busy lifestyles, and students receive continuous technical and academic support throughout their studies. With low cost, quality practical and theoretical instruction, students in this certificate program graduate poised to enter with confidence the rapidly growing field of pharmacy technology.
Campus Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Acceptance and Graduation Rates:
- Acceptance: 100%
- Graduation: 34%
Admission Requirements:
- Online Enrollment
- Entrance Placement Exam
- Completed Enrollment Documents
- Previous College Transcripts
Sample Course Options and Requirements:
- Career development
- Medical law and ethics
- Pharmacology for technicians
- Sterile and non-sterile compounding
- Introduction to communication
Degree Outcomes: Graduates of this certificate program will be equipped to work in any of the numerous pharmacy technology-related fields including:
- Health Systems
- Hospitals and Clinics
- Insurance
- Local and State Government
- Pharmaceutical
- Public and Community Health
- Social Services
Graduates from this program will also be prepared to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam in each aspect of their coursework. This will put each graduate in a position for immediate employment and success.