Online Pharmacy Technician Courses

Pharmacy technician courses can lead to a diploma, certificate, or associate's degree. Any of these programs can be completed through distance learning, leading to a career in this field. Pharmacy technician courses include medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical recordkeeping, and pharmacy law. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, prospective employers in the career include pharmacies, grocery stores, and mass retailers.

The primary roles of a pharmacy technician include assisting licensed pharmacists and interacting with customers, which requires strong communication skills.

Quick Facts: Pharmacy Technician

Placement rate: 95%
Length of program: 6 months to 2 years. Most programs are self-paced.
Career paths: pharmacist's assistant at pharmacies, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies; section supervisor
Typical courses you will take: pharmacology, technical math, and pharmacy operations
Salary: ranges from $9 to $14 per hour

Technically, It's an Excellent Opportunity

If you're looking for a stable career with good benefits, and you have excellent math skills, a career as a pharmacy technician might be a good fit. A pharmacy technician (or tech) assists the pharmacist by maintaining patient records, packaging and labeling medication, and mixing IV drugs. Rising medical costs combined with a shortage of pharmacists have increased the need for pharmacy techs that can perform routine tasks, freeing the pharmacist for more complicated work.

Career Success Online: Pharmacy Tech Certificate

An online pharmacy tech program usually combines self-paced learning with internships at local pharmacies. Online classes are very convenient: you can arrange your study and lessons around your current schedule. Your internship, though, will be a bit less flexible, but it will be necessary for you to spend time working under the supervision of a pharmacist.