Become a Pharmacy Technician — 100% Online
Pharmacy technicians are needed across the country and in San Diego County. This 100% online course, created by Ed2Go and offered through SDSU Global Campus, will get you ready for a career as a certified pharmacy technician. You’ll prepare for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) National Certification exam and get help landing an externship with a leading pharmacy chain.
Course Objectives
This pharmacy technician training program will help you:
- Learn federal and state laws that govern pharmacies, as well as the ethics of pharmacy practice.
- Be fully prepared to sit for the National Certification exam titled Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
- Become eligible to apply for a 100+ hour externship at a national pharmacy chain.
Curriculum
- Orientation to Pharmacy
History, foundations and role of the pharmacy technician in today’s healthcare system - Pharmacy Law and Ethics
Introduction to law, liability and federal regulations of controlled substances - Pharmaceutical Calculations
Basic, community and institutional pharmacy math to calculate dosages and dilutions - Pharmacology
The science of pharmacology, evolution of drugs and administration of pharmacological agents - Communication Skills
Verbal and non-verbal methods, HIPAA regulations - Insurance and inventory procedures
Cost analysis, purchasing procedures and record keeping - Lab Module
Interactive lab for the retail and hospital settings - Clinical Rotations
Virtual externship in the retail and hospital settings - Final Exam
Final comprehensive exam to qualify for externship
Prerequisites and Requirements
There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, the externship requires that you have a high school diploma and be at least 18 years old.
Registration and Enrollment
This course is 100% online. Start anytime.
Meet Your Instructors
Melissa Dunworth
Melissa Dunworth has been a certified pharmacy technician since 1997. She is registered with the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences.
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.
Job Outlook for Pharmacy Technicians
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, demand for pharmacy technicians in the state of California is on the rise. It expects jobs to increase 13.3% through 2028 – this equates to over 5,000 new jobs in California and 3,740 job openings each year! Workforce analytics firm Burning Glass found that the greater San Diego County has one of the fastest-growing needs for pharmacy technicians. It estimates that demand for jobs will grow around 14% over the next decade.
Pharmacy technicians are able to earn a competitive salary as well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, on average, pharmacy technicians in San Diego County earn an annual salary of $45,780.
Pharmacy Technicians FAQs
What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?
Pharmacy technicians are responsible for ordering and stocking medications, preparing medications for distribution, and providing information to patients. As a pharmacy technician, you may perform some of the same duties as a pharmacist, but you’ll still need your work overseen and approved by a pharmacist before any medications are dispensed to patients.
Do Pharmacy Technicians Need a Certification?
Requirements for pharmacy technicians vary by state, but most require certification, registration, or licensure. In California, pharmacy technicians are required to earn certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
How Much Time Is Needed To Complete a Pharmacy Technician Course?
This pharmacy technician course can be completed in one year or less, not including the time you spend in an externship program or preparing and sitting for PTCB licensure in the state of California.
Is Being a Pharmacy Technician a Good Career Choice?
U.S. News and World Report ranked Pharmacy Technician as #21 on its list of “Best Health Care Support Jobs.” 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.