Pharmacy Technician Programs in Queens, NY
In New York City, according to the Governor's office, there are more than 2,600 pharmacies serving its more than 8 million residents, and that number is still growing. For Queens, NY residents, for whom any one of the five boroughs of the city is just a subway ride away, that means if they are considering becoming a pharmacy technician then there is no shortage of work available to them.
The State of New York itself does not require that a person be either licensed or registered to work in the field, but many employers prefer to hire pharmacy techs that have completed formal education and hold an official certification.
Therefore, for most people hoping to secure the best paying and most interesting pharmacy technician jobs in New York City then attending a pharmacy technician school to gain the knowledge they need to pass their certification exam is a must. Here we are going to take a look at the pharmacy technician schools that serve Queens, NY and what each of them have to offer.
Featured Pharmacy Technician Schools in New York
Statistics
Queens vs New York Pharmacy Technicians Employment
Queens, NY is the second largest of New York City's five boroughs in terms of population, and spreads out over a 108 square mile radius. Of all the pharmacy technicians that work throughout New York State, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 20,910 live and work in the NYC metropolitan area that includes Queens.
Salary for Pharmacy Technicians in Queens, NY
Rx Technicians in Queens are usually well paid too. Although the starting salary, what's known as 10th percentile, is, on average just 11.76 per hour the average wage is $17.43 per hour, and that is usually what a certified pharmacy technician can expect to be paid. This average rises to $24.82 in the 90th percentile, making advancement in the profession quite lucrative.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Queens, NY
In order to become a certified pharmacist candidates must pass a standard exam. The better known of these exams, the PTCE exam is set by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, but a newer credential, the ExCPT, offered by the National Health Career Association is acceptable as well.
Pharmacy Tech schools offer programs that give students all the knowledge they need to pass this exam. All students begin by completing a certification program, but some do go on, after they have become certified to study for a Bachelor's or Associate's Degree in Pharmacy Science as well.
There are a number of pharmacy technician schools that offer certification programs located in, or in close proximity to Queens, NY for future students to choose between.
Each of these schools does have something different to offer however, and one may be better suited to your needs than another. With this in mind here's a look at the basics each of these pharmacy schools in Queens does have to offer so that you can make the best choice to suit your life and needs.
2501 Jerome Ave, The Bronx, NY 10468 | Tel: (800) 556-6676
Monroe College is located a subway ride away from Queens in The Bronx in the bustling Fordham section. The school is a career focused campus that offers certificate and Associate degrees in a number of different specialties. For those wishing to become a certified pharmacy technician their comprehensive Certificate program offers the perfect start for both new high school graduates and working adults.
Monroe College Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program
For a growing number of people from the borough of Queens, the road to a pharmacy technician career starts at Monroe College.
In 2020 Monroe College states that the basic cost of their Pharmacy Technician Certification Program is $1,100.00. This includes the cost of all books and lab supplies as well as the fee to take the PTCE test after graduation. The cost of background and drug testing is not included in this and will add another $100-$200 to the total cost.
As this is considered a career program, federal financial aid is not available, but a payment plan allows students to take advantage of an interest free payment plan.
In order to be admitted to the Monroe College Pharmacy Tech Certification Program students must be:
The course runs for a total of 60 hours in the classroom - which includes hands on, practical lab classes - and 75 hours out of the classroom working in an externship position. All classroom learning is completed on campus during the day but the required externship can be completed at a time best suited to you. Most externships are completed in a retail pharmacy setting and are arranged by the school.
The program is approved by the PTCB as an acceptable learning program and the school itself is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
45 West 34th St, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10001 | Tel: 347-220-8181
Located on West 34th St in Manhattan, the Manhattan Institute is a private, for profit career school that offers certifications and career diplomas in a number of fields within the healthcare profession, including pharmacy technician. The school is located in the heart of Manhattan and is as suited to new high school graduates as it is to older adults making a career change.
Manhattan Institute Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program
The cost of completing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Program at Manhattan Institute varies according to a student's personal situation and any Federal or state grants they might qualify for. Before admission the school mandates a meeting with an admissions counselor who will determine these costs, but, according to past students the cost of the course averages $1,500, which includes the cost of books and supplies, but not the $130 fee to take the PTCE upon graduation.
In order to be admitted to the Manhattan Institute Pharmacy Tech Certification Program students must be over 18, have a high school diploma or GED, pass criminal background and drug tests and pay at least $200 towards the final costs of the course. The payment plan is offered on a no interest basis however and students have until graduation to pay their balance.
Offered on a full time, day class basis on campus the course takes approximately six weeks to complete. It offers a broad overview of the requirements to pass the PTCB as well as what will be expected of students as a working pharmacy tech. Students are also offered additional online coaching to help them prepare to sit their PTCE exam when the time comes.
The Manhattan Institute is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE).
474 Fulton Avenue, Suite 201, Hempstead, NY 11550-0000 | Tel: 516-433-0034
For those willing to take the LIRR from Queens to Long Island, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Program offered by Access Career Center is another educational opportunity to consider. Located in Hempstead, LI, this for profit career education school offers vocational training for adults of all ages and the Pharmacy Certificate Program is geared towards those who are looking to ‘get to work’ in the field quickly.
Access Careers Pharmacy Technician/Assistant Certificate Program
The cost of completing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Program offered by Access Career Center is $1,300, but that does not include the cost of books, lab supplies or drug and criminal background testing, or the cost of taking the PTCE, which will add approximately an additional $300 in expenses.
Federal financial aid is not available to pay for this program, but students can opt to make use of an interest free payment plan to cover course costs, $200 of which will be due at registration with the balance able to be paid in installments until graduation.
To be admitted to the Access Careers Pharmacy Technician Certification Program students must:
The course takes 120 hours to complete, including a 60 hour externship at a Walgreens pharmacy. Classes, which included both written study and practical lab work, are offered on week day evenings or on weekends, making this course a great choice for working adults or those with families to take care of.
The course is approved by the PTCB and the school itself is accredited by the New York State Education Department.
4. ASA College
81 Willoughby Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201-9805 | Tel: 718-522-9073
Located in Brooklyn, ASA College is a fully accredited two year college that does not offer a pharmacy technician certification program but instead a two year Pharmacy Technology Associate's Degree. A more traditional college geared towards young recent graduates this full time program is geared towards those who want to begin their pharmacy tech career on a higher level.
ASA College Pharmacy Technician/Assistant Certificate Program
As it is a traditional two-year college ASA College tuition is charged on a per credit basis. In 2020 the per credit cost of attendance at the school is dependent on a student's age, living situation, dependency status and family income, so an accurate estimate is not easy to offer, although the school does offer a basic cost estimator on their website here.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify and, according to the school, is utilized by 90% of their students.
As a standard two-year degree program, admission is dependent on GPA and other academic factors. Students will need to meet with an Admissions Counselor to determine possible edibility. In addition to standard college admission standards all pharmacy students are required to pass drug and criminal background tests.
The Associates Degree program is offered on a full-time basis on campus only and can be completed in around 18 months. In addition to classroom and lab based learning students will need to complete 90 experiential hours in both a community retail and hospital pharmacy setting for a total of 180 hours.
Students can, if they desire, apply to take the PTCE about halfway through the course, should they wish to seek part time employment as a certified pharmacy tech while they complete their studies.
The ASA College Associates Degree in Pharmacy Technology is approved by the PTCB and the AHSP (Association of Health System Pharmacists) The school itself is accredited by the New York State Board of Regents and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
31-10 Thomson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 | Tel: (718) 482-7200
A traditional community college, LaGuardia is located right in Queens, in the heart of Long Island City, an easy commute for most Queens residents. Its Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program offers a good introduction and overview to everything needed to pass the PTCE exam and while many of the students are young adults, older students are welcomed too.
LaGuardia Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program
The flat fee for the Certificate program is $1195. This includes the cost of books and supplies, as well as drug testing and criminal background testing fees. The cost of sitting the PTCB certification exam is also included.
Financial aid is not available for this course, but students can choose to pay their tuition in installments without being charged interest, provided they pay the full balance prior to graduation.
To gain admission to the LaGuardia Community College Pharmacy Technician course students must be legal US residents or have the proper International Student Visa, be over the age of 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Students must also be able to pass a drug screen and a criminal background check.
The course runs for four months, with students attending on campus classes twice a week in the evenings for three hours. The classes cover both written classroom learning modules and practical lab experience in the schools’ on campus facilities. As this is a PTCB approved course it ensures that everything needed to pass the PTCE is fully covered and that students are prepared to take the test immediately after graduation.
The Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program is approved by the PTCB. LaGuardia Community College as a whole is accredited by the New York State Board of Regents and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.