Stepful graduates were hired at
Pharmacy technicians in Maine are required to have either a high school diploma or GED. Students who need an alternative to traditional high school can enroll in online programs or prepare to take their GED exam.
Once students have their high school diploma or GED, they can enroll in a pharmacy technician training course. There are several different types of training programs available for aspiring pharmacy technicians. These include:
Associate degree programs take about two years to complete and can cost several thousand dollars. Students will have to complete general education courses such as writing, mathematics, and humanities courses in addition to their pharmacy technician-specific classes.
Students who enroll in a community college or trade school certificate program will not earn a degree, but will qualify for the same certificate examination as those who complete their associate degree program. These programs are much less expensive than associate degree programs and can be completed in 6-12 months.
Online programs like Stepful are the least expensive and can be completed in four months. These programs result in the same certifications as in-person programs, with the added benefit of flexible scheduling and the ability to study from home.
When choosing a program, make sure that you find one that is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and approved by the PTCB or AHA. In addition, consider the cost, time commitment, exam passing rate, and online reviews of any program that you are considering.
During a pharmacy technician externship, students shadow a working pharmacy technician and get real-life experience. This allows students to practice skills such as mixing and labeling medications or handling high-risk prescriptions.
Externships typically last a few weeks, and students spend 40-100 hours in their chosen facility. Those who make a good impression during their externship may be offered a permanent position upon graduation.
Stepful understands how important externship hours are and helps ensure that each student has an opportunity to access interviews in pharmacies in the state.
Pharmacy technician training programs, like ours at Stepful, should prepare students to pass one of two certification examinations. Students trying to become certified can take either the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) exam offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), or the Certified Pharmacy Technician Exam (ExCPT) offered by the National Healthcareer Association.
Both of these certifications are nationally recognized and are accepted by most healthcare organizations requiring certification.
Both exams cover essential topics such as medication labeling, patient safety, receiving prescription requests, inventory management, measuring and dispensing medication, adverse medication reactions, accepting payment or billing insurance for prescription medications, and maintaining patient privacy. The cost of the two tests is also similar, with the NHA exam costing $125 to take, and the PTCB exam costing $129.
Our faculty at Stepful helps students get a job by helping students practice their interview skills and prepare resumes.
Pharmacy technician jobs can be found directly on healthcare organization websites or by using job search engine sites such as LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, or Monster.
Stepful’s Pharmacy Technician program has received accreditation by ASHP! American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is the only nationally-recognized pharmacy association that accredits pharmacy technician training programs in the United States. ASHP accreditation represents formal recognition of the high quality of services and care provided by Stepful’s Pharmacy Technician program.
Pharmacy technicians in Maine are not required to earn a certification. However, employers are much more likely to hire job candidates who are certified.
Pharmacy technicians in Maine must register with the State Board of Pharmacy and obtain a license. They must fill out an application, pay a $41 application fee, pass a criminal background check, and pay the $21 fee for the background check.
The Maine Board of Pharmacy has published a specific list of tasks that can be delegated to a pharmacy technician.
These responsibilities include:
There are a few responsibilities within a pharmacy that can only be handled by the lead pharmacist or pharmacist in charge. These include:
Pharmacy technicians in Maine have a decent job outlook. In 2023, there were 2,220 job openings for pharmacy technicians in the state with an expected 4.6% growth through 2033.
The average salary of a pharmacy technician in Maine is $40,260 per year or $19.36 per hour. Working weekends or night shifts, earning specialty certifications, and becoming a leader or educator each provide opportunities for a pay increase.
The American Association of Pharmacy Technicians is one of the best resources for pharmacy technicians looking for certification study material, networking opportunities, job openings, annual conferences, and continuing education credits. First-year members can join for just $25.
The National Healthcareer Association and Pharmacy Technician Certification Board are other great resources for pharmacy technicians. They both offer continuing education opportunities, annual conferences, advanced certifications, and career support for pharmacy technicians in Maine.
4-Month Online Pharmacy Technician Course
Receive your National NHA-CPhT Certificate
100% Online Followed by In-Person Externship
Job Interview Prep and Resume Services
1:1 Support From Enrollment to Employment
