Overview
Our Pharmacy Technician Training program was developed by a board-certified pharmacist and pharmacy technicians with years of experience. Our elite training is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists® (ASHP) / Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)—meeting all of their stringent objectives.
The main purpose of our online Pharmacy Technician program is to prepare you to successfully pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam and become employable—competent and confident—as quickly as possible.
To that end, you'll spend a large chunk of time in an actual pharmacy. Thanks to our partnerships with Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy, your Pharmacy Technician program includes clinical hours at locations nationwide, based on local availability. You’ll complete this portion by the time you finish training. That’ll cement your pharmacy technician skills and smooth your transition from training to working. Remember that clinical opportunities vary, and we work with a vast network of healthcare organizations to find a good fit. But we can’t guarantee placement—or employment—in your area.
Program Timeline
How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician? Not long at all. Once your payment is processed, we’ll email your login and password so you can start immediately.
12 months of program access
Clinical Experience
Study Format
Our have-it-your-way training is always on … because it’s online. 24/7 web access gives you the freedom to study however, whenever, and wherever you want. Got a laptop? You’re ready to rock!
Learn from home (or anywhere)
Study online (anytime)
Support
Don’t think of your online pharmacy technician training as e-learning. Think of it as we-learning, because we’re with you every step of the way. Real people—dedicated trainers and tutors to career advisors—are all devoted to your success, from sign up to post completion.
One-on-one support
Phone, live chat, and email
Pharmacy Technician Training Outline
Our pharmacy technician training program is based on a series of in-depth courses that cover a range of topics, including pharmacy law and regulations, business practices, and pharmaceutical calculations.
Program Orientation: Pharmacy Technician
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Initiate the Pharmacy Technician Program
Pharmacy Business
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Describe proper customer service procedures related to professional communication, appearance, duties, and limits.
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Describe and differentiate between prescription insurance plans, including Medicaid, Medicare Part D, and Workers’ Compensation.
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Explore proper procedures for filing claims and accepting payment.
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Identify processes and proper measures for productivity tracking and benchmarking, pharmacy security, and emergency preparedness.
Pharmacy Law
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Explain the various types of law.
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Identify violations of the law related to the field of pharmacy.
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Differentiate between state and federal pharmacy laws.
Introduction to Human Trafficking
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Identify the warning signs that may indicate someone is a victim of human trafficking.
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State some of the questions that can be asked of identified victims.
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List three resources that can be utilized if a trafficking victim is identified.
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State at least two warning signs that may indicate a person is being trafficked.
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Explain some of the questions that can be asked of identified victims.
Digital Technology
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Have a basic understanding of the internet and evaluated hardware
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Understand and be able to use various programs and apps
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Be able to explain privacy and digital security in digital technology
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Describe the fundamentals of input and output
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Have an understanding of network devices
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Use technology to help you find a career
Comprehensive Medical Terminology
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Analyze how medical terms are built using common word parts.
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Properly spell, define, and pronounce medical terms associated with each of the major body systems.
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Identify and define the word parts most frequently associated with the major body systems.
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Interpret common abbreviations used in medical terminology and cautions to remember when using them.
Pharmacology for Pharmacy
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Distinguish between drugs of different classifications and their corresponding rules and regulations.
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Differentiate between common medication dosage forms.
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Explore different topical, enteral, and parenteral administration routes and their corresponding methods and recommendations.
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Identify common generic and brand name drugs and their basic functions.
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Use resources to find drug definitions, dosages, pronunciations, and other related information.
Pharmacy Calculations
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Explain the rules of the metric system and the basic units of weight, volume, and length.
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Describe common equivalents in the metric system.
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Discuss the apothecary system.
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Explain the household system.
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Convert metric measures to their equivalents in the other systems.
Community Pharmacy
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Explain the important functions of the community pharmacy.
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Discuss the various roles and responsibilities of pharmacy technicians in community pharmacies.
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Explain the importance of understanding behindthe-counter (BTC) medications.
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Identify the advantages of e-prescribing.
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Identify how completed prescriptions are stored and organized prior to being picked up by patients.
Externship Readiness Skills
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Explore CareerStep Community career resources.
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Develop effective time management skills.
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Enhance your creative and critical thinking.
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Integrate critical and creative thinking skills into your life.
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Learn physical and emotional coping techniques to deal with stress.
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Explore essential ingredients of the communication process.
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Acquire methods to maximize verbal, nonverbal, and written communication.
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Relate the importance of professional image to career success.
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Learn strategies to write a powerful resume.
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Identify key elements of successful interviews.
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Relate the importance of good study habits to your personal success.
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Identify traits related to self-motivation and self-esteem.
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Incorporate a positive and professional attitude in dealing with others.
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Understand that failures are important learning tools.
Prescriptions
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Review prescriptions, their uses, requirements, and components.
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Differentiate between legend and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
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List the component parts of a prescription
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Discuss how prescriptions are processed, received, and checked.
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Describe the ways prescriptions are numbered, dated, and labeled.
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Explore the differences between generic and trade names.
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Differentiate between a control number and a National Drug Code.
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Evaluate the importance of rechecking of prescriptions.
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Learn requirements for refilling prescriptions.
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Define medication errors.
Inventory Management
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Describe the specific storage requirements for inventory stock.
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Explain inventory management.
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Define the term want book.
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Describe the importance of computerized inventory systems.
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Explain the system that is the most flexible for pharmacy inventory control.
Nonsterile\Sterile Compounding
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Order the Pharmacy Lab Kit
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Explain the use of a Class-A prescription balance and a counterbalance.
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Describe extemporaneous compounding.
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Describe the difference between a solution, a suspension, an elixir, and an emulsion.
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Identify how capsule sizes are classified.
Institutional Pharmacy
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Describe various services of the hospital pharmacy.
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Explore medication orders.
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Define the terms “floor stock” and “point-of-entry system.”
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Review the advantages of computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems.
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Describe the patient prescription system.
Pharmacy Labs
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Review expectations and procedures for completing the lab activities.
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Review expectations and procedures for using the lab kit.
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Review expectations and procedures for passing off the labs with an instructor through an interactive video conference (IVC).
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Demonstrate step-by-step training with images and videos to model techniques and skills.
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Become familiar with different measuring systems and units.
Fundamentals of HIPAA
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Describe HIPAA basics.
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Understand the HIPAA Privacy Rule and Security Rules.
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Describe the HITECH Act.
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Explain regulations for business associates.
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Summarize HIPAA documentation and training.
Pharmacy Technician Final Exam
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Study key vocabulary and information using flashcards.
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Review Pharmacy Technician Program Final Exam Instructions.
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Complete the Pharmacy Technician Program Final Exam.
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Review and Complete the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam mapped to PTCB certification exam or ExCPT NHA certification exam.
Initiating Your Externship
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Create your profile in the Learner Placement Portal.
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Review the externship preparation resources.
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Explore CareerStep Community career resources.
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Understand the benefits of an externship.
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Access externship participation eligibility requirements.
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Recognize the externship site placement process and considerations.
Clinical Externship
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Earn hours and experience that lead directly to certification.
Program Completion
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Prepare to take the next steps after program completion.
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Pharmacy Technician Certifications
CareerStep’s online Pharmacy Technician training covers the knowledge and skills you need to successfully sit for industry-recognized certification. We want to support our learners in securing the certification that fits based on your career goals and current job requirements. Your training includes an exam voucher and prep package for the PTCE certification – a significant value add.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)
The PTCE is the most recognized national certification for pharmacy technicians – offered by Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT)
The ExCPT exam to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician validates your pharmacy technician skills and ensures patient and customer safety – certified through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Documents
Ready to Get Started?
Call (800) 411-7073
to speak with a career advisor