Pharmacy Technician Programs in Kissimmee, FL

As the population ages and more people also become aware of the importance of preventive healthcare the number of pharmacies in Florida has steadily been increasing. This means of course that so has the number of trained staff required to keep them running.

Pharmacy technicians have a crucial role to play in any pharmacy. Not only do they serve as a pharmacist's 'right-hand person' but they are also often the 'public face' of a pharmacy, charged with helping ensure that patients and customers get their medications quickly and efficiently.

While the State of Florida mandates that individuals register with the Board of Health to work as a pharmacy technician, it does not mandate licensure yet. However, as more and more employers prefer to hire a pharmacy tech who is both licensed and certified by a governing body like the PTCB it makes sense for anyone who plans to enter the field to get the education and training needed to achieve both of these things.

And that's where pharmacy technician schools come in.

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Statistics

Kissimmee vs Florida Pharmacy Technicians Employment

Kissimmee, FL is much more than the city where tourists head to score convenient accommodation when visiting the many attractions that neighboring Orlando has to offer. It is also a center of tourism in its own right as well as an educational hub and home to several large healthcare companies.

Of the 30,080 people who are registered to work as pharmacy technicians in the State of Florida according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 4,860 of them live in the Kissimmee area.

Kissimmee

Florida

4,860
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30,080
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Pharm Techs employed in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metro area represents 16% of all PT's employed in the state of Florida (2018, BLS) 

Total Pharmacy Technicians employed in Florida state (2018, BLS)

Salary for Pharmacy Technicians in Kissimmee

According to those same statistics, the median hourly wage for a Kissimmee pharmacy technician was $15.19, or $31,000 annually. The lowest wages, usually paid to brand new pharmacy techs, began at $10.78 per hour, rising to $19.41 or more in the 90th percentile.

Pharmacy Technician Annual Wages in Kissimmee
(BLS Data May 2018)

10th Percentile

$22,420

25th Percentile

$25,960

50th Percentile

$30,660

75th Percentile

$36,410

90th Percentile

$40,370

The growth outlook for the profession is good too, making becoming a pharmacy choice a solid career choice for those who want to work in the practical side of the healthcare industry but do not have the time for five to seven years of formal schooling.

Pharmacy Technician Schools in Kissimmee, FL

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Many of Kissimmee's pharmacy technicians are graduates of the 5 accredited pharmacy technician schools in the city.

Increasing completing an approved pharmacy technician training course is a must for Floridians interested in entering the profession. As of 2020 it is required to take the PTCB certification exam - unless you have 500 hours of valid practical experience which, these days is hard to get without formal training - and the State of Florida requires it before they will issue a license, another thing employers are increasingly demanding.

In 2020, five schools are located in, or in easy reach, of Kissemmee, FL that residents can attend. These schools all offer training that is approved by a number of the essential regulating bodies but they are all also at least slightly different from each other and some may be better suited to your needs than others.

Let's take a look at them now.

Florida Career College [Orlando Campus]

Address: 989 Nrth Semoran Blvd., Orlando, FL 32807 | Phone: (321) 430-8300

Florida Career College is a private vocational college that offers practical education at a number of campuses across the region, but its Pharmacy Technician program is only offered at its Orlando campus. Fortunately this only involves a short commute for Kissimmee residents if they are interested in attending.

Florida Career College Pharmacy Technician Certificate

Estimated program cost

When choosing between schools to attend the cost of doing so will usually be a big factor. The costs associated with attending Florida College to complete their Pharmacy Technician Certificate are not fixed, they will vary according to the student's age, living arrangements, employment status and more. However, to help you estimate your potential costs you the school offers a net price calculator that can be found here.

As an example, according to that calculator, for a single person under the age of 26 who is a Florida resident the estimated cost of attendance, including books and fees, would be $15,405. This is only a hypothetical example however and prospective students should make use of the calculator themselves to determine their own.

Federal and State financial Aid is available to those who qualify, which, according to the school website, is how 85% of their students finance their education.

Basic admissions requirements

To serve as many students as possible the admissions requirements to enter the Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program at Florida Career College are kept to a minimum, but do include all the following:

  • Students must have a high school diploma or GED
  • Students must be 18 or older
  • Students must take and pass a basic skills test
  • Students must take and pass a drug test and criminal background test.

Timelines

According to the school website their Pharmacy Technician Certification Program is usually completed by most students in 11 months. Both day and evening classes are offered, classes are offered year round and as new ones form every 4-6 weeks prospective students do not have to wait long after acceptance to begin their studies.

The course curriculum provides students with the essential technical and practical knowledge needed to pass the PTCB exam and to obtain Florida licensure should they wish to do so. Students are also offered the chance to complete an externship arranged by the school to gain valuable real world experience.

Accreditation

The Pharmacy Tech Certificate offered by Florida Career College is approved by both the Florida Board of Health and by the PTCB. The school itself is also accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education.

Orange Technical College [Orlando Campus]

Address: 301 W Amelia St, Orlando, FL 32801 | Phone: 407-246-7060

Orange Technical College - which has two campuses in the Kissimmee area at Winter Park and West Side - offers students of all ages the chance to obtain a Pharmacy Technician Certificate that will prepare them to take certification exams and should they wish to do so obtain the State license. Both campuses are conveniently located near major highways and public transportation and students can choose between daytime and early evening classes to better accommodate their schedules.

Orange Technical College Certificate Program

Estimated program costs

According to the school's website in 2020 the cost of the Orange Technical College Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program is $5,262.85. This amount does include the cost of all required books and supplies but does not take into account the costs for background or drug testing or the $129 fee to take the PTCB certification test after graduation.

The school does try to help students get as much help in terms of financial help to pay for their education as possible. Many students qualify to receive a Title IV Federal Pell Grant, Florida Student Assistance Grant, Florida Work Experience Program, a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship and more. They can also often obtain a private student loan from a lender like Sallie Mae.

Basic admissions requirements

There are certain criteria that must be met to enter this program including the following:

  • A student must be over 18, or, in some cases, over 17 with parental permission and support
  • A student must take and pass a drug test and criminal background check
  • A student must pass a basic educational skills test set by the school.

Timelines

Both campuses of the Orange Technical College that offer the Pharmacy Technician Certification program boast excellent classroom and lab facilities and the majority of the required coursework is completed there. There is some online coursework that can be completed at home and online study aids are provided for those who wish to revise to take the PTCB certification exam.

Most students complete the course in under 12 months. Classes begin on a quarterly basis throughout the year. For those who want to continue their education after certification the credits earned in the Pharmacy Technician Certification program are fully transferable to the nearby Valencia College towards an AS degree in a pharmacy related field. 

Accreditation

The Orange Technical College Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program is approved by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists, as well as by the Florida Board of Health and by the PTCB.

Concorde Career Institute [Orlando Campus]

Address: 3444 McCrory Place Orlando, FL 32803 | Phone: 407-502-6374

This is a private, vocational school that maintains several campuses nationwide including one located in Orlando, where the Concorde Career Institute Pharmacy Technician Diploma is offered to Kissimmee residents as a way to get off to a fast start in their exciting new career.

Concorde Career Institute Diploma Program

Estimated program costs

According to the school's website the cost of completing the Pharmacy Tech Diploma is not a set one and it varies according to a student's personal circumstances. The school offers an online Cost Estimation tool here.

As an example, according to the calculator, a Florida resident who is single and under 25 can expect to pay approximately $14,730 to complete the diploma course. This price does include the cost of books, supplies and mandatory testing fees. Many students meet this cost via Federal and State Financial Aid, and some Florida state jobseeker's grants are available to those who qualify.

Basic admissions requirements

Admission to the Pharmacy Tech Diploma Program calls for students to meet all the following requirements:

  • Be 18 years old or older when the course begins
  • Take and pass a basic skills test set by the school
  • Take and pass a criminal background check and a drug test
  • Complete an pass a BLS Resuscitation certification

Timelines

As previously mentioned the Concorde Career Institute Pharmacy Technician Diploma is designed to be a 'fast track' to getting out into the world of work and as such most students complete it in six months.

The coursework covers all the technical and practical knowledge needed to meet licensure requirements and to successfully sit the PTCB certification exam. As they must take the PTCB within 60 days of graduation to help them prepare newly graduated students are also given access to online revision materials, including PTCB past papers.

Accreditation

The Pharmacy Technician Diploma program offered by the Concorde Career Institute is approved by both the State of Florida and the PTCB as an acceptable training course.

The school itself is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

Osceola Technical College [Kissimmee Campus]

Address: 501 Simpson Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744 | Phone: 407-344-5080

The Osceola Technical College is located right in Kissimmee and is a community based vocational school that primarily seeks to serve young adults who want to gain valuable skills before entering the workforce. It offers more of a traditional college experience than many of the schools on our list and is a great fit for young people who have only recently graduated from high school.

Osceola Technical College Pharmacy Tech Certificate

Estimated program costs

As it is a Certificate, not a Degree program the school is able to charge a single set price for the course which is, in 2020, listed at $5,154. This price does include the cost of required books, supplies and drug and criminal background testing fees.

The stated cost of the program does not, however, cover registration and/or licensing with the State of Florida, or the PTCB certification exam cost. To cover tuition those who qualify may apply for financial aid and state grants or opt to take a private student loan from an organization like Sallie Mae.

Basic admissions requirements

For entrance into the Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program there are some basic standards and requirements that students must meet:

  • Have a high school diploma or a GED
  • Be able to prove legal status as a US resident
  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Take and pass drug and criminal background checks.

Timelines

The Osceola Technical College Pharmacy Technician Program is designed to be completed within a year, and most students do so in 11 months. Classes are flexible, with both day and evening classes available and students can opt for full or part time study schedules. Classes form year round too, offering a 'fast start' once a student has enrolled and been accepted.

Classroom study provides all the technical and practical knowledge needed to take the PTCB exam and to apply for Florida licensure. While the majority of study is completed on campus the school maintains partnerships with local pharmacies to offer hands on real world experience as well.

Accreditation

The Osceola Technical College Pharmacy Technician Program is approved by both the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the PTCB. It is also one of the educational paths that meets the guidelines for licensure from the Florida Board of Health.

Address: 7700 State Road 544, Winter Haven, Florida 33881 | Phone: 863-419-3060

Ridge Technical College is a part of the Polk Pathways Educational Initiative. Located in Winter Haven, it is designed to offer new high school graduates, and high school juniors and seniors whose grades are sufficient, the chance to get additional practical vocational education for a chosen career path. The programs, which are offered by the Polk County School District, are also open to adults. One of the course options is their Pharmacy Technician Program.

Ridge Technical College Pharmacy Technician Program 

Estimated program costs

The Ridge Technical College was founded to provide affordable education to those living in the Polk County School district and tuition is charged on a per case basis. Interested possible students are advised to call an admissions counselor to discuss their personal situation to determine what their costs might be, including any grants they may qualify for.

Basic admissions requirements

As it is a community based educational offering only students living in the Polk County School District may apply to the Ridge Technical College Pharmacy Technician Program. In addition they must be at least 16 years of age and able to pass a basic skills test and, if applicable, meet a basic ESL standard.

Timelines

The Ridge Technical College Pharmacy Technician Program is a part time program that usually takes 1,050 hours of classroom time to complete. Classes are offered at the start of the Spring and Fall semesters and are available as day or evening classes.

The curriculum of the course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of all the skills needed to work as a pharmacy technician in both retail and hospital settings. On site labs offer excellent hands on experience and the course is somewhat unique in that it also covers issues of labor law as they relate to pharmacy workers in Florida specifically.

Upon completion of the course students will have the skills and knowledge needed to pass the PTCB certification exam, although they will not be able to sit that exam until they are 18 years old.

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