Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program
Classes Start December 4
Begin your career as a pharmacy technician.
Program Type
Certificate
Delivery Method
On Campus | Hybrid*
Course Length
Approximately
9 Months
*Hybrid education options not available at all campuses
Program Objective
Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists to prepare and provide medications for people. With their knowledge, they play a key role in providing communication between doctors, pharmacists and patients.
The day-to-day responsibilities of pharmacy technicians include working with patients, answering patient questions, distributing medications and performing administrative tasks.
Students in the Pharmacy Technician certificate program will learn a variety of skills to work as a successful pharmacy technician. Classes are taught by experienced instructors while hands-on training and lab time prepares students to confidently perform the following tasks:
- Prepare a variety of medications, including intravenous solutions
- Compound/mix medications, count tablets, label bottles
- Interact with physicians, nurses and medical assistants on prescription refill authorizations
- Operate automated dispensing equipment when filling prescription orders
- Make rounds in hospitals, giving medications to patients
- Receive electronic prescriptions from medical offices
- Handle computer order entry of prescriptions
- Receive written prescriptions and requests for patient refills
- Verify complete and accurate prescriptions
- Take inventory of prescription and over-the-counter medications
- Complete patient purchase transactions using point-of-sale systems
The nationally accredited and state-licensed program at Pima Medical Institute will prepare you for the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (CPhT), administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). More states and employers require certification as the need for and responsibilities of a pharmacy technician continue to grow.
This Program Now Offers a Hybrid Learning Option
Students interested in this program who are looking for additional flexibility for their schedules might find blended learning is the best fit.
As a Hybrid student, you will still benefit from the same support students enrolled in our on campus programs receive, including mental health resources, student services, career services, resume writing and more.
Interested in learning more about Pima Medical’s hybrid education and schedule? Our admissions teams are ready to discuss the schedule, expectations and interactive instruction provided during the program.
All Locations
Careers as a Pharmacy Technician
What Are My Career Opportunities as a Pharmacy Technician?
What Are My Career Opportunities as a Pharmacy Technician?
This certificate program will prepare graduates to apply their skills in a number of different roles, such as:
- Pharmacy technician
- Pharmacy clerk
- IV-certified pharmacy technician
They can work in a variety of environments:
- Hospitals
- Retail or mail-order pharmacies
- Assisted-living facilities
- Nursing homes
- In-home health environments
- Other healthcare facilities
Job Outlook
Job Outlook
Job outlook for pharmacy technicians is positive. Increased demand for prescription medications will lead to more demand for pharmaceutical services.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow from 2020 to 2030.
Continued Education
Continued Education
At Pima Medical Institute, we offer an online associate degree in Health Care Administration, an online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration and an online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership. Get the skills needed to move up within the healthcare industry, with the flexibility of virtual instruction. Work on your degree anywhere, anytime.
Online Programs
When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.
Clinical Externships
Program Outline
Learn more about the courses in this program.
Career Prep Sequence
Professional Sequence I
Professional Sequence II
Professional Sequence III
Professional Sequence IV
Externship
Program Outline for Renton
Career Prep Sequence
Professional Sequence I
Professional Sequence II
Professional Sequence III
Professional Sequence IV
Externship
Interested In Starting This Program?
Find out more about our Admissions Requirements or view our How to Apply page.
Success Is Within Reach
We are truly invested in making sure our students succeed.
“Thanks to the practice I had at Pima Medical, I caught on quickly while at my externship at the local Veterans Hospital. I continued to volunteer at the VA until I was hired at Primrose St. Francis Hospital where I am currently working as a Pharmacy Tech 2… I’m currently working on another bachelor’s in healthcare management. My Pima Medical instructors always encouraged us to continue our education, so I’m keeping my doors open. Pima Medical is a great school and it provided me my start in the medical field!”
Terry D. Thomas, Pharmacy Technician Graduate
Pima Medical Blog
Tucson Lead Pharmacy Technician Instructor Named one of Career Education Review’s 2023 Exceptional Educators
Here at Pima Medical, we have been committed to improving people’s lives by providing the best quality in medical career education for more than 50…
The Right Schooling Fit Paid Off for this Renton Campus Pharmacy Technician Graduate
Amy Dobbs earned her Pharmacy Technician certificate from our Renton Campus back in 2014. Thanks to her hard work and dedication, she found a career…
This Pima Medical Graduate is a Health Care Triple-Threat Thanks to Her Multiple Degrees
Elizabeth Medina began her health care career journey with Pima Medical’s Pharmacy Technician program at the Tucson campus. After graduating in 2013, she went on…
Disclosures And Accreditations
We have partnered with PioneerRx Pharmacy Software to provide students an opportunity to apply their knowledge in a simulated, real-world pharmacy management system.
State Licensure Determination Disclosure
The Pharmacy Technician program is offered via on-ground and hybrid delivery methods. The program is available to residents of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington, and meets applicable licensure requirements in those states. While there may be online components, completion of this program requires on-ground attendance at the campus at which the student is enrolled and cannot be completed solely via distance education. Prospective students and enrolled students should understand that moving out of the state in which they enrolled may adversely impact a student’s ability to complete the program. If a student is planning to relocate outside of their state of enrollment he or she is required to discuss this with the Student Services Coordinator and/or Program Director.
In compliance with 34 CFR 668.43 Pima Medical Institute has made a reasonable effort to determine graduate eligibility for licensure in all states for programs designed and advertised as leading to licensure. The document below lists Pima Medical Institute programs and states where the curriculum meets licensure requirements, states where the curriculum does not meet licensure requirements, and states in which Pima Medical Institute has been unable to determine if the curriculum meets state licensure requirements. All consumers should be advised that due to the frequent changes to state statutes, rules, and regulations Pima Medical Institute cannot guarantee licensure based on the lists below.
State Licensure Determination Disclosure – Certificate Programs
Contact information for state licensing boards in which Pima Medical Institute has determined the program does not meet state licensure requirements or where Pima Medical Institute has been unable to determine if the program meets state licensure requirements can be found below.
State Licensing Board Contact Information – Pharmacy Technician