Stepful graduates were hired at
All pharmacy technicians must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. Students who do not complete traditional high school can enroll in online high school programs or prepare to take their GED exam. Most students can study for and pass their GED exam after a few months.
Students can enroll in several types of pharmacy technician training courses. These include:
Online programs like Stepful are the least expensive and can be completed in just four months. These programs prepare students for the same certification as in-person programs and often include externships. They are a great choice for people who need the flexibility of studying from home and on their schedule.
Trade schools and community colleges typically offer certificate programs that can be completed in 6-12 months. Classes are usually offered in the daytime or evening hours and require in-person attendance. Missing classes may make students ineligible for certification.
Associate degree programs require the completion of general education courses in addition to pharmacy technician-specific learning. They take about 2 years to complete and can cost more than $10,000. Degree programs result in the same types of certificates as online, trade school, and community college programs.
Whatever program you choose, make sure that your program has been accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. In addition, check your chosen training programs' exam passing rate, and whether or not they will help you find a job after graduation.
A pharmacy technician externship allows students to shadow an experienced pharmacy technician and practice working with patients in real-life scenarios. Externships are especially important for students of online programs.
Most externships last between 40 and 100 hours. In addition to getting hands-on experience, externships allow pharmacy technician students to build relationships with pharmacists and other healthcare providers.
Stepful provides on-site externships where students can hone their skills in patient communication, medication dispensing, and the daily operations of a pharmacy. Getting a place in a partner pharmacy, however, can vary by location and availability.
After completing an accredited training program and an externship, students should be prepared to pass their pharmacy technician certification exam.
Students can choose to take 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.
Stepful’s online program prepares students for both examinations. Exams cover topics such as inventory management, receiving prescription requests, measuring and dispensing medication, patient safety, accepting payment for prescriptions, and maintaining patient records.
With a certification, pharmacy technicians should not have any problem securing a job. Most pharmacy technicians use sites like Monster, LinkedIn, and Indeed to find a job. Others prefer to search directly on a healthcare organization’s website.
Our staff at Stepful helps students get a job by helping students prepare resumes and practice their interview skills.
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.
According to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs of Michigan, pharmacy technicians in Michigan must complete an accredited training program and earn their certification. The State of Michigan accepts both the NHA and PTCB certifications.
The Michigan State Board of Pharmacy also requires pharmacy technicians to have a license to practice. Pharmacy technicians must pass a criminal background check, answer several ethical questions, and complete human trafficking and implicit bias training to obtain a license.
To keep their license, pharmacy technicians in Michigan must meet the following continuing education requirements every two years:
Pharmacy technicians deal with high-risk medications, including chemotherapy drugs, narcotic drugs, and other potentially dangerous medications. Patients who take multiple medications are at high risk of medication interactions and negative side effects. Because of this, the scope of practice for pharmacy technicians is tightly regulated.
The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs clarifies that responsibilities that may be handled by a pharmacy technician in Michigan 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 Michigan have a decent job outlook. In 2023, there were 14,190 job openings for pharmacy technicians in the state, and there is an expected 3% growth through 2033, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The average salary of a pharmacy technician in Michigan is $40,960 per year or $19.69 per hour.
The Michigan Pharmacists Association supports pharmacy technicians and pharmacy students by offering continuing education, career support, and an annual convention. They also help pharmacy technicians network with other healthcare workers and keep them up to date on laws and regulations.
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 Michigan.
4-Month Online Pharmacy Technician Course
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