Pharmacy Technician Programs in Spokane, WA
The designation of Pharmacy Tech is given to those who help pharmacists assemble and dispense prescription medication, not just in retail settings but also in hospital and clinic pharmacies. Theirs is an important job, and the demand for their skills continues to grow.
This demand exists in the State of Washington as much as anywhere else. For those considering a career in the healthcare field but so not want to go through 5-6 years of schooling, Pharmacy Tech can be a great entrance.
Although it calls for less initial schooling, pharmacy techs still have to be certified and licensed in the State of Washington, which does call for some schooling. Which is where pharmacy tech certificate programs come in.
Featured Rx Tech Schools in Spokane
Statistics
Spokane vs Washington Pharmacy Technicians Employment
spokane | washington |
|---|---|
580
Fill Counter
| 6,950
Fill Counter
|
Pharmacy Techs employed in Spokane, WA represents 8% of all PT's employed in the state of Washington (2018, BLS) | Total Pharmacy Technicians employed in Washington state (2018, BLS) |
Spokane, Washington is a smaller city located in Eastern Washington State, and is known for its beautiful mountains and colorful history. Founded by travelling cattle herders in the 1830s after a period of decline Spokane, WA became the smallest city to ever host a World's Fair in 1974 and has prospered ever since.
According to the Bureau of Labor in 2018 there were a total of 6950 certified pharmacy technicians living and working in Washington State. Of those, 580 of them lived in the Spokane area. They work in retail pharmacies, hospitals and other private medical facilities
Salary Percentiles for Pharmacy Technicians in Spokane
In 2018, the average salary for a Spokane, WA pharmacy technician was $19.44 per hour, or at an annual salary rate, $40,430. The salary ranges saw the lowest paid Spokane pharmacy techs earn $15.54 per hour while the highest paid received $24.39 hourly, or an annual salary of $50,730.
$32,350
$34,950
$39,280
$46,060
$50,730
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Spokane, WA
2
Many of Spokane's pharmacy technicians are graduates of the 2 accredited pharmacy technician schools in the city and immediate surrounding area.
To become a pharmacy tech in Washington State you must gain official certification and then formal licensing from the State of Washington. Technically, you could simply apply to take the PTCB certification exam alone, providing you could meet the hands on work requirements, but a stronger focus on licensing and certification for any pharmacy position means that very few people do that, and most complete a formal educational program first.
There are two schools located within 25 miles of Spokane, Washington, that can offer a program that will give students the knowledge, and practical experience they need to get their certification and begin work as a Pharmacy Tech. As they are quite different, here's a closer look at them both so you get a better idea of which school, and which Pharmacy Tech Program, is the right choice for you.
Address: 10102 E. Knox Ave., Suite 200, Spokane, WA 99206 | Phone: 509-378-3628
Carrington College is a private vocational school that boasts campuses all over the country including one in Spokane, Washington. Located in the Spokane Valley area it is just a 20 minute drive from Downtown Spokane, making it perfect for those Spokane residents who do not want to travel too far from home to go to school.
Carrington College is a vocational school that focuses on giving students a practical, hands on education to prepare them for work in one of a number of fields, pharmacy tech being one of them. As this is a private school and one geared towards professional progress it boasts students of all ages, including those adults who are already out in the world of work but are looking for a change.
Carrington College Pharmacy Tech Certification Program
Estimated program cost
Although, according to the school, the cost of completing the Pharmacy Tech Certification can vary significantly depending on their personal circumstances, the average cost of tuition in 2018 was $16,217. This did not include the cost of books, supplies, test fees and other related expenses, which it was estimated added an additional $750.
As it is an accredited degree granting establishment Carrington College students can receive both Federal and State Financial Aid and there are a limited number of grants available to some as well.
Basic admissions requirements
For admission to the Pharmacy Tech Certificate program there are some minimum requirements that students must meet before they are enrolled:
Timelines
The Carrington College Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program is described as a blended learning program. This means that some of the coursework can be completed online in a student's own time and at their own pace while some must be completed in a classroom setting at formal classes. New classes form all year round, with admissions into the program being made every two to three months.
To meet the requirements for certification students must also complete a hands on externship with a local employer, either in a retail pharmacy setting or at a hospital or other healthcare facility. The school will assist in setting this up or students can arrange a placement of their own.
The program is designed to be completed in 10 months. Some students do complete it slightly faster by working on online modules at a faster pace. By the end of the course students will have all they need to take their certification test, which they can do providing they pay the test fee and have completed the required drug and background checks.
Carrington College students enrolled in the Pharmacy Tech Certification program are also given access to additional study prep materials to help them get ready to take their certification exam and faculty are available to offer extra guidance as well.
Accreditation
The Carrington College Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program offered at the Spokane, WA campus is accredited both by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the Washington State Board of Pharmacy. It is also listed by the PTCB, the body that sets the PTCB certification exam, as an accepted course.
Address: 1810 N Greene Street, Spokane, WA 99217-5399 | Phone: 509-533-8400 or 800-248-5644 ext. 8400
Spokane Community College is one of the number of excellent Community Colleges that are operated in Washington State to help provide a high quality education at a price that is more affordable than many four year colleges.
In most ways it offers a traditional college experience, with all the extra-curricular collegiate activities that go along with that. The campus is located on a 148 acre plot in east Spokane and is easily accessible by road or bus.
Spokane Community College Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
Estimated program cost
The Spokane Community College charges for its Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program on a traditional per credit basis. On average, in 2019 that worked out at $5,642 with an additional $1,573 for books and supplies along with $381in college fees. This cost estimate does not include the $39 background check students must order prior to enrollment or the fee for taking the PTCB certification test at the end of the program.
For those students who qualify Federal and State financial aid is available and some grant monies are also available to certain sections of the student population.
Basic admission requirements
To help ensure that as many qualified students as possible can complete the program the admission requirements to enter the Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program have been simplified. To be considered, students must meet the following criteria:
One note. In order to proceed in the program each module must be completed with a score of 2.0 or higher. Students can repeat a module but it will be at their own additional cost.
Accreditation
The Spokane College Pharmacy Tech Program is, as is the College itself, fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The program is also listed as acceptable by PTCB.
Timelines
The Spokane College Pharmacy Tech Program is designed to be completed within a single college year, with admissions being made for the Fall Semester and graduation occuring at the end of the Spring semester. All classroom modules must be completed on campus, but the school does offer its students a wide range of online tools to help them study and to prepare for the certification exam they will take at the end of the program.
In addition to classroom work students undertake a 200 hour externship with a local employer. This may be with a retail pharmacy or in a hospital pharmacy setting. The college will help arrange this externship but students can also opt to find their own.
Should they choose to, those who graduate successfully from the Certificate Program and obtain their certification and licensing can continue their studies at the college to obtain an Associates in Applied Science Degree with a focus on Pharmacy Technology. This is a path that is advised for those who want to work in more senior positions in hospital pharmacies.