Pharmacy Technician

Overview

Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of registered pharmacists to prepare drugs and fill prescriptions. With both diploma and certificate programs available at MTC, students will gain classroom, online, and experiential learning in local pharmacies and hospital systems.

The Pharmacy Technician Certificate (Community) provides pharmacy technician training with an application to community practice. The program teaches students proper pharmacy operations under the supervision of registered pharmacists. The curriculum combines classroom, online, and experiential learning with duties carried out by pharmacy technicians in preparing drugs, filling prescriptions, pricing, patient profiles, drug calculations, controlled substances, and other pharmacy-related activities. Learning experiences for students in the Pharmacy Technician Certificate (Community) Program are provided online, in classrooms, and in a simulated non-dispensing pharmacy on the Airport Campus in the Health Sciences Building. Required clinical experiences (externships/internships) are arranged through affiliations with local pharmacies.

Under the direction of registered pharmacists, professional technicians prepare medication in various forms for dispensing to patients. Entering and extracting accurate information from patient profiles and other data requires knowledge of medications, inventory, purchasing, equipment operation and record keeping as it relates to Pharmacy. Pharmacy technicians develop expertise in preparing medications for dispensing.

Where do pharmacy technicians work?

Most pharmacy technicians work in retail pharmacies and hospitals, while a small number are employed by mail order and internet pharmacies, clinics, pharmaceutical wholesalers, home health organizations, teaching, and the federal government. The major employers of Pharmacy Technicians are pharmacies and drug stores, followed by hospitals and the government (federal, state, and local). Pharmacy technicians comprise the fourth largest occupation in the SOC Health Practitioners and Technical Occupations within the MTC service area. There is a vast need for Pharmacy Technicians in the Midlands, with competitive starting salaries. 

Acceptable Eligibility Criteria
  • High school diploma or equivalent.  
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.0
  • Accuplacer Next-Gen Reading 250 Arithmetic 250
  • English and Math transfer credits.
Acceptable Admissions Criteria
  • Pre-admissions interview by the Pharmacy Technician Admission Committee.
  • One Character Reference Letter from an individual who is not a relative. This could be an employer, religious leader, or co-worker. 
  • One Academic Reference Letter from a former teacher, guidance counselor, or advisor.
  • Both reference letters must be submitted by the Reference themselves. Please have letters submitted via email at watkinsc@midlandstech.edu. The Reference’s signature must be incorporated at the bottom of the letter.                                                                                        
Pharmacy Technician Program Pass Rate

Click here to view the Pharmacy Technician Program pass rate.

Accreditation

Midlands Technical College is accredited for Pharmacy Technician training by the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists.
American Society of Health System Pharmacists
Accreditation Services Division
4500 East-West Highway Suite 900
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-664-8835
ashp.org

Program Type

Academic Certificate

How to Enroll

To pursue this degree, you must apply to MTC using our online application.

Apply Now

Questions?

Print Plan

Sample Program Plan and Costs

On-Campus Traditional. Classes meet on campus.
Virtual 100% online. Meets with a live instructor and classmates on specific days, at specific times. Uses web conferencing software, like Zoom.
Hybrid Some classes on campus. Some classes online or virtual.
Online 100% online. Due dates for projects and assignments. Self-paced work on your time.
Semester Course ID Course Title Classroom Online Hybrid Virtual Credits
Semester 1
(9 Credit Hours)
PHM-101 Introduction to Pharmacy

Introduction to Pharmacy

ID: PHM-101

Credit Hours: 3

This course provides a study of and introduction to pharmacy and the role in providing patient care services.

3
PHM-113 Pharmacy Technician Math

Pharmacy Technician Math

ID: PHM-113

Credit Hours: 3

This course includes a review of basic mathematics focusing on its application to common pharmaceutical calculations.

3
PHM-114 Therapeutic Agents I

Therapeutic Agents I

ID: PHM-114

Credit Hours: 3

This course provides an introductory study of therapeutic drug categories.

3
Semester 2
(13 Credit Hours)
PHM-110 Pharmacy Practice

Pharmacy Practice

ID: PHM-110

Credit Hours: 4

This course provides a study of theory and practice in procuring, manipulating, and preparing drugs for dispensing.

4
PHM-124 Therapeutic Agents II

Therapeutic Agents II

ID: PHM-124

Credit Hours: 3

This course includes a study of therapeutic drug categories.

3
PHM-152 Pharmacy Technician Practicum I

Pharmacy Technician Practicum I

ID: PHM-152

Credit Hours: 2

This course provides a practical introduction to the pharmacy environment.

2
PHM-164 Pharmacy Technician Practicum II

Pharmacy Technician Practicum II

ID: PHM-164

Credit Hours: 4

This course provides practical application of pharmacy skills in pharmacy environments.

4
  Total Credit Hours 22
  Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
$4,400.00
Not including fees and equipment

Careers

Retail Pharmacy Technician

Works in a community retail outlet preparing medication for dispensing to the public.

Projected Job Growth

+3.7%

Average Annual Salary

$36,513
According to EMSI data as of 2022

Where Can I Work?

  • Corporate Pharmacies
  • Local Pharmacies

Careers

Hospital and Home Infusion Pharmacy Technician

Works in a hospital or home infusion center, preparing IV infusions.

Projected Job Growth

+3.7%

Average Annual Salary

$36,513
According to EMSI data as of 2022

Where Can I Work?

  • Hospitals
  • Home Infusion Agencies

Careers

Sterile Pharmacy Technician

Prepare medications for distribution to hospitals.

Projected Job Growth

+3.7%

Average Annual Salary

$36,513
According to EMSI data as of 2022

Where Can I Work?

  • Outsourcing Facilities
  • Pharmaceutical Companies

What’s next after I complete this program?

Further Your Education

If you would like to continue your education as a pharmacist, you can take pre-pharmacy classes at Midlands Technical College to further your skillset.

Want more information?

Academic programs count as academic credit for a certificate, diploma or degree and may transfer toward future academic endeavors at four-year colleges and universities.
Training programs can be completed in a matter of weeks or months, are focused on career training, and provide credentials and certificates needed in the specific fields of study. Coursework does not transfer.
Not sure: Check out these resources to explore what fits your goals.

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