So you’re looking to enter the medical field as a pharmacy technician. Congratulations on choosing a career path that’s both rewarding and offers a great salary and benefits package in most cases! The medical field is always growing, and new jobs are being added on a daily basis all over the country.
Becoming a pharmacy tech will offer you career flexibility, the opportunity for advancement, as well as a sense of accomplishment as you help patients every day. If you want to start your journey,the first thing you need is an associate’s degree or certification.
Here, we’ll discuss the best places to get a degree as a pharmacy tech. Keep reading to expand your choices and make the best decision for your future.
Ultimate Medical Academy
UMA is a web-based university that offers pharmacy tech degrees among many other medical certifications. UMA has a pharmacy technician school that can teach you the skills and practical knowledge necessary to get started as an entry-level pharmacy tech in as little as 18 months!
The program is accredited and comes with 24/7 support, so you’ll never be left without a support team if you have questions. One of the best features of this program is practical experience through internships. You’ll receive 180 hours of hands-on training under the supervision of a certified pharmacist, and this can help set you apart from other applicants when you look for a position at a pharmacy.
UMA has partnered with companies like Walgreens and CVS as well, so if you’re looking for a career path in a retail pharmacy, UMA is your best option.
Central Louisiana Technical Community College
With a graduation rate that’s higher than most other programs, as well as a post-graduate job acquisition rate that stands out among other programs, CLTCC’s pharmacy tech program is among the best in the country. You’ll get excellent training and education in the pharmacy tech field, with a cost that’s affordable (around $2,000 per semester).
This is also one of the quickest pharmacy tech programs out there, with completion in as little as ten months. If you visit CLTCC’s website, you can download the program curriculum, cost sheet, and FAQ sheet.
If you’re coming from out of state, you’ll need to consider living expenses in your cost calculations. However, the college’s website reports that most students completing this program leave with an average of around $8,000 in debt, which is significantly lower than most college degrees.
North Seattle College
Situated in scenic Seattle, Washington, this college offers a quick pharmacy tech program for in-state and out-of-state students. The program boasts an incredible certification rate of 99.6% (this percentage of students pass the exam if they take it). With two different externship sites, you’ll also get a chance to acquire hands-on training during your education, which can drastically increase your job options after graduation.
The college is accredited by the state’s Pharmacy Board, and you’ll get twice as much hands-on training (over 400 hours) as is required by the board. The bottom line? If you want to become a pharmacy tech in the state of Washington, this is the college for you.
The tuition at NSC is $210 per credit for in-state students and $224 for out-of-state students. The program is based on-campus, so no online options are available. You’ll want hands-on training for this kind of degree anyway.
Pickens Technical College
If you’re looking to streamline your entry into the pharmacy tech field, Pickens Tech can get you certified in just five months. You’ll be studying on-campus, and once you graduate, you’ll be able to work in just about any pharmacy environment. At $132 per credit hour, the program is also a bit more affordable than its counterparts, with hands-on training and plenty of scholarships.
The drawback of PTC is that there isn’t a financial aid program available, so you’ll be paying for the certification out-of-pocket. Even so, you can’t go wrong with a program that’s quick, flexible, and partnered with the local community college if you decide to pursue higher education.
The graduation rate for this program falls somewhere around 79%, and you’ll find that the $2,000 tuition for the program is lower than average. If you’ve got five months to spare, you can earn a certification and get started in the medical field right away!
Choosing A Program
Choosing the right program to fit your needs is just as important as knowing exactly what you want to do with your certification once you’ve got it. Remember to take into account not only the tuition costs of the program, but also the graduation rate, any internships or hands-on training offered, and whether or not the college is accredited.
Pharmacy tech certifications are quick and can get you started as an entry-level medical professional in under a years’ time. Get started today towards a career you’ll love!