Pharmacy Technician Programs in Lynnwood, WA
Career opportunities for pharmacy technicians are growing, and that's as true in Washington State as it is anywhere else in the country. If you are looking for a job that offers variety, a stable salary and a way to begin a career in the medical field without five to seven years of formal schooling, then this might be the right choice for you.
Featured Rx Tech Schools in Lynnwood
Statistics
Lynnwood vs Washington Pharmacy Technicians Employment
lynnwood | washington |
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3,740
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Pharmacy Techs employed in Lynnwood, WA represents 53% of all PT's employed in the state of Washington (2018, BLS) | Total Pharmacy Technicians employed in Washington state (2018, BLS) |
As Lynnwood, WA is located just 16 miles outside the city of Seattle proper, it serves as a bedroom community for those who work in the city itself as well as for those who do not commute as far.
Of the 6,950 Pharmacy Technicians working in the State of Washington, 3740 work in the Lynnwood, WA area. Some of them work in Lynnwood itself, as it is one of the state's largest retail centers and home to many pharmacies, while others make the commute to Seattle.
Salary Percentiles for Pharmacy Technicians in Lynnwood
The average salary earned by a Lynnwood, WA Pharmacy Technician in 2018 was $20.89 per hour, working out to an annual salary of $43,450. The lowest wages are paid at $15.67 and rise as high as $27.63, or an annual salary of $57,480.
$32,600
$36,750
$43,300
$49,850
$57,480
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Lynnwood, WA
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Many of Lynnwood's pharmacy technicians are graduates of the 4 accredited pharmacy technician school in the city.
There are four schools- and five campuses - that currently offer Pharmacy Technician courses to those living within 25 miles of Lynnwood, WA.
Here's a comparative look at what they offer.
Pima Medical Institute is a vocational college that focuses on providing students with complete and hands on training in a number of medical specialties including pharmacy tech. It has two campuses within easy reach for Lynnwood, WA students. One is located in the City of Seattle itself and the other in Renton. Pima Medical Institute itself is a national concern with campuses located all over the country.
Pima Medical Institute Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
Address: 555 S. Renton Village Place, Renton, WA 98057 | Phone: 800-477-PIMA
Estimated program cost
Tuition for the program costs $14,106. There is approximately $1,000 in materials and books that are required and add to that cost. Some financial may be available to those who qualify.
Basic admissions requirements
In order to be accepted into the Pima Medical Institute Program students must:
Timeframes
The Pima Medical Institute offers Pharmacy Tech classes in both the daytime and the evening year round. Students in the day program can expect to complete the program in 35 weeks and for evening students it will take 40 weeks. 250 hours of hands on training in an externship placement must also be completed.
Accreditation
Pima Medical Institute is authorized by the Washington Student Achievement Council and meets the requirements and minimum educational standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree-Granting Institutions Act. The school does note that credits earned there may not transfer to other schools and students are advised to contact schools they may be considering advancing to determine if they will accept a credit transfer.
The program is approved by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and students are eligible to sit the PTCB certification exam at the completion of the course.
Pima Medical Institute Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program provides students with all the academic knowledge they will need to pass the PTCB certification exam. Classes are taught by industry professionals who have current knowledge of working in the field.
Externships are arranged with the assistance of the school or a student can choose to arrange their own. The 250-hour requirement exceeds that set for PTCB exam candidates and provides a solid foundation for those who want to begin working as soon as possible.
Address: 9600 College Way North, Seattle, WA 98103 |Phone: 206-934-3600
North Seattle College is located within the borders of the City of Seattle itself, in the Northgate district, making it a short commute for students from Lynnwood, WA. The school was founded in 1970 to offer students from all walks of life a chance to get a great education at an affordable price.
The campus offers a 'traditional' college experience, with student clubs, entertainment, sports and culture all thrown into the mix. And a very diverse student body - there are more than 900 places allotted to foreign students every year - adds to the experience of diversity for everyone.
North Seattle College Academics
North Seattle College serves over 14,000 students every year and offers both Associates degree and certificate programs in a wide range of subjects, including pharmacy technician.
North Seattle College Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
North Seattle College offers students two different educational paths to becoming a pharmacy technician. However before pursuing an Associate's Degree students must pass through the Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program.
Estimated program cost
The cost of completing the 52 credit certificate program varies according to a student's residence (in or out of state) and their edibility for one of the number of state provided grants that are available to in state students. On average however instate Lynnwood, WA residents can expect to pay approximately $4,500 in tuition plus the cost of books and supplies, totaling around $800. Federal and state financial aid is also available to those who qualify.
Basic admission requirements
North Seattle College makes much of the fact that they attach minimal educational requirements to their Pharmacy Technician Certificate Course to allow as many students as possible to train to enter this growing field.
In order to enroll in the program students must:
Accreditation
The certificate program is licensed by the Washington State Board of Pharmacy and ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) . The program is also approved by the PTCB, the governing body that administers the licensing exam students must pass. All credits earned are fully transferable to other schools and the college has an official agreement with the nearby University of Washington that makes eventual study at that school easier.
Timeframes
The course takes approximately 9 months to complete. Admissions to the program are made in line with the college's semester schedule.
The North Seattle Pharmacy Technician Program offers students a fast track to working as a certified pharmacy technician, providing them with the knowledge and tools they will need to pass their certification exam as well as valuable, practical hands on training both on and off campus.
The program takes nine months to complete and has been established since the mid 1980s. All the faculty are qualified, working pharmacists with current industry knowledge. According to the school more than 99% of the graduates from this program pass their PTCB certification exam and of those, 100% find employment in their field, often with the companies they complete their 432 hour externship with. Externships are arranged with the help of the school and are available in both retail and hospital settings.
So that they can successfully complete their externship and meet other outside personal commitments, classes are held on just two days a week and can be completed in the evening.
After the successful completion of the Pharmacy Technician Certificate students can, if they choose, go on to pursue an Associates Degree in Pharmacy Technology at North Seattle College if they choose to, on a full or part-time basis.
Address: 20000 68th Ave W, Lynnwood, WA 98036 | Phone: 425 640 1458
Edmonds College is a public community college located right in Lynnwood, WA itself, making it a very convenient choice for residents. The school, like most community colleges, was established in the 1970s to offer a more diverse body of students the chance to study at a post secondary level in their local community at a more affordable rate than many four year colleges.
Edmonds College offers a wide range of programs, including a comprehensive Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program that provides students with the knowledge and the practical experience they need to pass their certification exam and to begin working as a licensed Washington State Pharmacy Tech.
Edmonds Community College Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
Estimated program cost
The Edmonds College program differs from others in that there are a number of prerequisite courses that students must complete before they can be admitted to the Pharmacy Tech program (see below for more details). The cost of these courses is, at the time of writing, $1,515.36, with an additional $1,000 in estimated costs for books and supplies.
The cost of the 39 credit Pharmacy Tech Program itself is $4,221.36, exclusive of books, supplies and lab fees. The college itself estimates that the total tuition cost for the program is $7,502.85 with all supplies factored in.
Financial aid is available to students who qualify, and some may also be eligible to receive one of several state grants.
Basic admission requirements
Before they can be admitted to the Pharmacy Tech Program students must take, and pass, the following prerequisite classes:
Once these classes are complete they can apply to join the program. To enrol at Edmonds College in general students will need to follow the standard application guidelines for a state college, including meeting GPA requirements and proving their legal status.
As the state requires it for later licensing students will be asked to pass a background check and a drug test. They will also advise students to ensure that they are up to date on mandatory vaccinations, as this will be required by both employers during an externship and by the State of Washington before a license can be issued.
Accreditation
The Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program offered at Edmonds College is accredited and approved by the ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) and the
Washington State Board of Pharmacy.
Timeframes
The program is designed to be completed within one school year. Admissions are made in the Fall Semester and students can expect to graduate in May. The program includes both extensive classroom based education and a 252-hour externship that is arranged with the assistance of the school.
Towards the end of the program students will be advised to apply for, and take, their certification test. The program is approved by the PTCB - Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and covers all the knowledge needed to pass it.
Address: 3000 NE 4th St., Renton, WA 98056 | Phone: 425 235-2352
As its name suggests Renton Technical College is located on a leafy 300 acre campus in Renton, Washington and is a short commute for Lynnwood WA residents. It was founded to serve a diverse student body and provide technical education that translates into valuable real world skills.
Renton Technical College Pharmacy Program
All students studying Pharmacy Tech at Renton Technical College begin in the Certificate Program. If they complete this successfully and obtain their CPhT (certified pharmacy technician) designation then they can be considered for an Associates Degree Program
Estimated program cost
Renton Technical College tuition is charged per credit hour and varies according to the student's residence status and eligibility for grants. For Lynnwood, WA residents, as in state students the current credit hour cost is $3,816.05 per 35 credits. The certificate program calls for 77 credits.
Basic admissions requirements
In order to enroll in the Renton Technical College Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program students must:
Accreditation
Renton Technical College's Pharmacy Tech programs are licensed by the Washington State Board of Pharmacy and the ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) They are also approved by the PTCB. Students will be fully eligible to sit the PTCB exam to obtain their CPhT (certified pharmacy technician) designation at the end of the course.
Timeframes
Admission to the Pharmacy Tech Certification Program begins with the Fall Semester and students are usually on track to graduate by the end of the Spring Semester. Students complete externships as part of their credit allocation and can expect to complete 150-250 hours working in a retail or hospital pharmacy setting.
The faculty teaching students enrolled in the program are all Washington State licensed pharmacists and many are actively working in the field in addition to teaching. The program has won a number of awards, including
The Renton Technical College Pharmacy Tech program covers all required modules that will allow students to have the experience and knowledge needed to successfully complete their certification exam and begin working in their field.
Should they choose to students can stay in the school on a full time or part time basis to complete an Associate’s Degree in Pharmacy Technology. All credits are also fully transferable to other schools.