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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 earn your GED
To become a certified pharmacy technician, you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. You’ll need these documents when applying to training programs or jobs.
02
Enroll in a pharmacy technician training course
Training programs teach you the skills needed to become a certified pharmacy technician. Stepful’s online program includes coursework on medication safety, pharmacy law, drug handling, and more.
The state of Pennsylvania does not require specific training, but employers often prefer candidates who have completed a formal training course and earned national certification.
One way to ensure that you are choosing a legitimate training program is to make sure it is accredited by a nationally recognized organization. Stepful’s program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), a sign to employers that our students receive a high-quality education.
03
Complete a pharmacy technician externship
Externships help you build confidence and gain hands-on skills by working with experienced pharmacists in real healthcare settings.
Stepful has partner pharmacies across the country that may provide externships. While students are responsible for securing these opportunities, Stepful assists them throughout the externship process, from finding a placement to completing it successfully.*
* Please note that students must be available M-F, 9-5 p.m., to be eligible for externship support.
04
Pass a pharmacy technician certification exam
To become a certified pharmacy technician in Pennsylvania, you must pass a national certification exam, such as the NHA ExCPT or PTCB exam. Stepful students have a 75% pass rate on the NHA exam, 12 points above the national average.
Pennsylvania does not require pharmacy technicians to be certified, but employers often do. Becoming a certified pharmacy technician can improve your job prospects and earning potential in Pennsylvania.
05
Start your new career
Certified pharmacy technicians are in demand across Pennsylvania, working in hospitals, community pharmacies, and specialty clinics. There may even be work-from-home roles available.
A quick search of job sites like Indeed and ZipRecruiter will show you how many job listings exist for certified pharmacy techs in Pennsylvania.
Stepful’s career support team helps students with resume building, job applications, and interview coaching to ensure a successful transition into the workforce.
While not required by the state, certification may be required by Pennsylvania employers. In addition, earning a national pharmacy technician certification from the PTCB or NHA ExCPT can help you stand out to employers and earn a higher salary. Certification ensures you understand pharmacology, medication safety, and pharmacy law.
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In Pennsylvania, pharmacy technicians do not need to register and are not licensed by the state. Pharmacy managers are responsible for ensuring pharmacy techs are trained and capable of doing the tasks assigned to them.
Pharmacy technicians in Pennsylvania are in steady demand.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 17,880 pharmacy technicians are employed across the state. That means there are 3 pharmacy tech jobs for every 1,000 jobs available in the state.
Pharmacy techs in the state also make a decent salary. The average salary for pharmacy technicians in Pennsylvania is $39,250 per year or $18.87 per hour.
The number of jobs available and the salaries paid vary based on experience, certification, and location, but the best cities for pharmacy technician jobs are:
- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metro area: This area has the highest employment, with 8,940 pharmacy tech jobs.
- Pittsburgh metro area: This area employs 3,710 pharmacy technicians.
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton: This growing region employs 1,160 pharmacy techs, with demand increasing.
These urban centers offer numerous opportunities due to their large populations and the number of healthcare facilities they have.
Nationally, the BLS projects that the employment of pharmacy technicians will grow by 7% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 47,400 job openings each year over the decade, primarily due to the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force.
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$39,250
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7% Growth
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17,880
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Professional organizations can provide pharmacy technicians with continuing education opportunities, career resources, and networking connections. Here are some organizations that support pharmacy technicians:
- Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA): PPA looks to advance and elevate the role technicians play in the pharmacy through professional offerings geared to their role and the advancement of pharmacy.
- National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA): NPTA provides career resources, online training, and certification preparation.
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB): PTCB provides certification and continuing education options to help pharmacy technicians maintain and advance their credentials.
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Resources for aspiring Pharmacy Technicians
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