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Prepare to take the NHA or PTCE national certification exam
100% online followed by in-person externship
Job interview prep and resume services
ASHP/ACPE-accredited program
1:1 support from enrollment to employment
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What You’ll Learn
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Weeks 1-4
Learn the foundational healthcare knowledge you need to become a well-rounded pharmacy technician and start diving into pharmacy practice.
Weeks 5-9
Master the ins and outs of pharmacology and get hands-on with pharmacy calculations and prescription medications.
Weeks 10-14
Develop skills in processing and dispensing prescriptions, and prepare for the NHA ExCPT Exam with mock tests and a comprehensive review of key pharmacy concepts.
Weeks 15+
Apply everything you learned online and earn clinical hours in a pharmacy setting. Our experienced coaches will help polish your resume, prepare you for interviews, and support you in your full-time job search.
Online Pharmacy Tech classes at your own schedule
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01
Graduate from high school or complete your GED
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.
02
Enroll in & complete a pharmacy technician course
Students can enroll in several types of pharmacy technician training courses. These include:
- Online programs
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 School or Community College
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
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.
03
Complete a pharmacy technician externship
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.
04
Pass your pharmacy technician certification exam
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.
05
Search for jobs
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.
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.
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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:
- A minimum of 1 hour of continuing education earned in the area of pain and symptom management relating to the practice of pharmacy that includes, but is not limited to, courses in the following subjects: Behavior management; Psychology of pain; Pharmacology; Behavior modification; Stress management; and Clinical applications as they relate to professional practice.
- A minimum of 1 hour of continuing education earned in the area of patient safety.
- A minimum of 1 hour of continuing education earned in the area of pharmacy ethics and jurisprudence.
- At least 5 of the CE credits must be earned by attending live courses, programs, or activities that provide for direct interaction with instructors, peers, and participants.
- No more than 12 hours of CE credit may be earned during 24 hours.
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.
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$40,960
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3% Growth
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14,190
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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.
What is Stepful?
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Resources for aspiring Pharmacy Technicians
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