Pharmacy Technician Programs in Tallahassee, FL
As a career choice for Tallahassee residents, for those who are interested in the medical field a career as a pharmacy technician continues to be one that is both relatively well paid and has great growth potential.
To make the most out of the vocation though, formal schooling is becoming almost a must. While the State of Florida only requires that a person registers with the State Board of Health to work as a pharmacy technician, and does not mandate licensing or certification at this time increasingly employers do, and it is only certified pharmacy techs who can expect to command the best compensation.
The formal schooling to become a pharmacy technician is nowhere near as lengthy as that to become a pharmacist and the good news is it is very accessible to Tallahassee residents interested in becoming a pharmacy tech.
Featured Rx Tech Schools in Tallahassee
Statistics
Tallahassee vs Florida Pharmacy Technicians Employment
Tallahassee is Florida's state capital and is as lively and exciting as any other major city in the country. A center of education and industry it's also a city that is still growing in terms of population and diversity.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the 30,080 people who are registered in Florida as pharmacy technicians just 480 are registered in Tallahassee but as the number of pharmacies increases then so will the demand for trained pharmacy techs.
Tallahassee | Florida |
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480
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| 30,080
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Pharmacy Techs employed in Tallahassee represents 1.6% 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 Tallahassee
The wages are good too, with the average mean hourly wage coming in at $16.21, higher than the state average, and while the lowest wages, the 10th percentile, start at $11.61 that rises as high as $19.61 in the 90th percentile.
Pharmacy Technician Annual Wages in Tallahassee
(BLS Data May 2018)
$24,260
$27,310
$31,780
$37,430
$40,990
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Tallahassee, FL
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Many of Tallahassee's pharmacy technicians are graduates of the 3 accredited pharmacy technician schools in the city.
There are three pharmacy technician schools in Tallahassee that meet the guidelines for education needed to take the PTCB certification exam. These schools all offer something slightly different though, which is why will take a closer look at each of them here.
1. Gadsden Technical Institute [Quincy Campus]
201 Martin Luther King, JR. Blvd, Quincy, FL 32351 | Tel: 850.875.8324
At over 40 years old Gadsden Technical Institute is one of the older technical education schools in the State of Florida. It serves both dual enrolled high school students who are looking to get a jump on a technical career and adults who are interested in working in the medical field but do not want to spend excessive time in school.
The campus is located in Quincy, a short drive from Tallahassee proper and is easily accessible via public transportation as well.
Gadsden Technical Institute Pharmacy Tech. Certificate
Estimated program cost
The cost of completing the Gadsden Technical Institute Pharmacy Technician Certificate varies from student to student, according to their personal circumstances. The school does offer an easy-to-use cost estimation tool here. As an example for a single Florida resident living with their parents and not employed full time the cost of the course is estimated at $7,399 - not including books and supplies - but your costs are likely to vary significantly.
Those who qualify can make use of Federal and State financial aid to help pay for their schooling and more than 80% of students do just that. Students can also consider taking a private student loan from an institution like Sallie Mae.
Admissions requirements
All students enrolling in the Gadsden Technical Institute Pharmacy Technician Certificate program must meet certain minimum requirements including all the following:
Time frames and course content
The Gadsden Technical Institute Pharmacy Technician Certificate takes 1050 classroom hours to complete and the majority of course work is completed in a classroom setting on campus. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to work in a number of pharmacy settings, especially hospital pharmacies. To accommodate busy schedules both full and part-time enrollment is available as are both day and evening classes.
By the end of the course students will be well-prepared to sit their PTCB certification exam and will meet the educational requirements to apply for Florida State licensure.
Accreditation
The Gadsden Technical Institute Pharmacy Technician Certificate is an approved PTCB course and is also approved by the Florida State Board of Pharmacy. The school itself is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
2. Tallahassee Community College [Tallahassee Campus]
444 Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32304 | Tel: (850) 201-6200
Tallahassee Community College, with its close ties to FSU, is consistently voted one of the top community colleges in the State of Florida. It offers a more traditional college experience than a technical school but it is welcoming to both young recent high school graduates and working adults.
Tallahassee Community College Pharmacy Technician Certificate
Estimated program costs
The cost of completing the Tallahassee Community College Pharmacy Technician program varies according to a student's age, residency and personal circumstances. On the school website you'll find a net price calculator that will help estimate those costs. As an example a single Florida resident living with their parents who is under the age of 25 can expect to pay around $6,370.00, inclusive of books and supplies per semester. These costs will vary greatly though so we would encourage you to make use of the calculator yourself.
Federal and state financial aid is available to those who qualify and that is how the vast majority of students pay for their tuition.
Admissions requirements
To enroll in this program students must meet all the following admission requirements:
Course content and time frame to completion
The Tallahassee Community College Pharmacy Technician Certificate is a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of being a pharmacy tech, both in a retail and a hospital setting. The stated objective for graduates is that they will be able to pass the PTCB certification test, apply for licensure from the State of Florida and achieve success in an entry level pharmacy tech position.
The course itself takes 1,050 hours to complete, and classes begin in the Spring and Fall. Most students complete the course within 11 months and some evening classes are available to accommodate working adults and parents.
Accreditation
The Tallahassee Community College Pharmacy Technician Certificate is approved by the Florida Board of Pharmacy and the PTCB.
3. Lively Technical Center [Tallahassee Campus]
500 N Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32304 | Tel: (850) 487-7555
Lively Technical Center is located in the heart of Tallahassee and seeks to provide vocational education to students of all ages. It offers flexible classes and low tuition to help students get the education they need in less time and a more affordable cost.
The Lively Technical Center Pharmacy Technician Certificate
Estimated program costs
The estimated total cost of the program for a Florida State resident is $3,947.25, inclusive of books, supplies and various testing fees. State and Federal financial aid is available to those who qualify as are a limited number of State grants. Students may also apply for a private student loan via a resource such as Sallie Mae.
Admissions requirements
In order to be admitted to the Lively Technical Center Pharmacy Technician Certificate program students must meet the following requirements:
Time frames and course content
The Lively Technical Center Pharmacy Technician Certificate is a 1,050 hour course that takes approximately 11 months to complete. Classes start in Spring and Fall and are offered in the day for full time students and in the evening for part-time students.
Most instruction is completed in a classroom setting, or in the school's onsite labs. Some time is allotted to practical experience with local employer partners and online study resources are available at all times for those who want to revise for their PTCB when graduation gets closer.
By graduation students should have all the skills and knowledge needed to satisfy licensure requirements and to pass the PTCB certification test.
Accreditation
The Lively Technical Center Pharmacy Technician Certificate is a PTCB accepted program and it is also approved by the Florida State Board of Pharmacy.