Pharmacy Technician Programs in Glendale, AZ
Although it previously had a reputation for being "old fashioned", Glendale is becoming one of the most well-liked Phoenix suburbs to live in because of its proximity to its sporting events, parks, and family activities.
The growing population also means that job opportunities in the local area are increasing, including for those interested in becoming a pharmacy technician.
Becoming a Pharmacy Technician
A pharmacy technician often serves as the supervising pharmacist's "right-hand man" and is essential to the day-to-day operations of any pharmacy, whether it is located in a retail or clinical setting.
State Requirements
Like the majority of US states, Arizona requires pharmacy technicians to hold a State Board of Pharmacy licensure.
The Board is of the opinion that as retail pharmacies now offer both minute clinics and vaccinations, which, aside from the pharmacist themselves, only a certified pharmacy technician can participate in, and that the range of duties that they may be expected to perform in any environment is steadily becoming more sophisticated, formal education is a must to ensure patient safety and legal compliance.
Certification Requirements
The PTCB and ExCPT are the two national certification tests that candidates must demonstrate they have completed in order to become pharmacy technicians in Arizona and obtain that essential license.
Students must be able to provide documentation that they have finished an approved course of study before applying to take either one of these exams.
As a result, attending an accredited pharmacy technician program is all but required.
In addition to the educational requirements they have to meet, aspiring pharmacy technicians must be aware that they must obtain
- an Arizona fingerprint clearance card,
- have finished high school or obtained their GED,
- have a state-issued photo ID, and
- successfully pass a drug test in order to be licensed and work in Scottsdale, Arizona or anywhere else in the state.
- Additionally necessary is the $82 licensing fee, which is payable annually.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Glendale, AZ
You must enroll in and successfully finish a PTCB/ExCPT-approved course at a pharmacy technician school in Glendale or anywhere in the state, in order to become a licensed pharmacy technician in Arizona.
When there are so many alternatives, as you'll see, how can you decide between those that are somewhat close to Glendale?
It is crucial to make sure that the class structure fits your lifestyle and that you can choose a schedule that works with the rest of yours, even though everyone's final decision will be different.
While not required to take a certification exam, acquiring real-world experience while still in school may be highly valuable and frequently be an excellent way to impress future employers. The option to use financial aid to pay for education is prioritized by many students as well when choosing between pharmacy technician schools.
In order to assist you in making the best choice for you, let's take a closer look at all 7 Glendale pharmacy technician schools that are accessible to you, along with a quick explanation of what they each have to offer.
1. Western Maricopa Education Center
Address: 5487 N. 99th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85305
Phone: (623) 738-0022
Website
Western Maricopa Education Center offers residents of Maricopa County access to affordable education in a range of vocational fields, including Pharmacy Technician.
The 600-hour program is geared towards adult learners, and classes are usually held in the evenings to accommodate busy daytime schedules. Most students complete the program in one college year, although the mandatory 160-hour externship with a local pharmacy is an additional time commitment not included in that calculation.
To enroll, students must be high school graduates or hold a GED. Federal financial aid is available to those who qualify, and some students may also be able to obtain a state based workforce grant to help cover their costs as well.
2. Arizona College
Address: 163 N Dobson Rd, Mesa, AZ 85201
Phone: (855) 706-8382
Website
In addition to providing a PTCB-approved overview of all the knowledge and information required for a student to take their certification exam, Arizona College's comprehensive Pharmacy Technician Program also gives students the opportunity to gain invaluable practical experience in the institution's cutting-edge labs.
This in-person program, which includes a school-arranged externship with a local pharmacy and the opportunity to get clinical experience in the nursing school pharmacy, is offered at the school's Mesa campus and awards a Career Certificate upon completion. Students who have completed their final year of high school and have a 3.0 GPA or higher are eligible to attend.
If a student is eligible, traditional financial aid may cover the cost of the program, which can be finished in three quarters of full-time study. It should be mentioned that the program is also one of the few available in the Glendale, Arizona area that is ASHP accredited, an honor given only to the pharmacy technician programs that the esteemed American Society of Health-System Pharmacists considers to be the best.
3. Brookline College
Address: 445 W Dunlap Ave Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85021
Toll-Free: 888-875-1353
Website
At both of its campuses in Tempe and Phoenix, Brookline College offers a 36-week Pharmacy Technician program that gives students an in-depth overview of the knowledge required to pass the PTCB certification exam as well as the chance to complete an externship with a local pharmacy employer, most often in a retail pharmacy setting.
In this hybrid curriculum, a sizable percentage of the written course material is intended to be completed online. It is an excellent alternative to full time on campus study for working people or busy parents who must balance their education with other commitments because of its flexibility. Evening classes are offered for those with daytime commitments, as lab work must be completed in person on campus.
For those who qualify, traditional financial aid is supported to cover tuition fees; students who can demonstrate local county residency or specific financial challenges will be assessed the lowest tuition rates.
4. GateWay Community College
Address: 245 East Buckeye Road,
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: (602) 238-4350
Website
The Certificate of Competency (CCT) in Pharmacy Technician program is an advanced program available to students who can meet more stringent academic requirements. These requirements include having a high school diploma, maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher in their senior year, and finishing a number of prerequisite college-level courses in Math and English.
An Associate's Degree degree in a relevant field is offered at GateWay or another community college in the same system, and credits gained in the Certificate program can later be applied there.
The 618 clock-hour program must be completed in one academic year of full-time study and has a required 200-hour on-site internship with a local firm. The majority of students receive traditional financial aid to pay for their education, with Maricopa County locals paying the least amount of money overall.
5. Arizona’s Virtual Pharmacy Tech School
Campus: Online
Website
The coursework at Arizona's Virtual Pharmacy Tech School, a pharmacy technician school in Glendale, Arizona, is entirely online and is intended to be finished in as little as 21 weeks of study, though students are free to adjust the pace as necessary to match their own schedules.
The course provides a thorough breakdown of the knowledge required to pass the PTCB exam. There is a required practical component that takes the form of a brief work experience assignment in a nearby pharmacy. The school has partnerships with both Walgreens and Pillpack, and if necessary, it will assist in setting up an externship with another neighborhood pharmacy.
Federal financial aid is made available to students who meet the requirements to help defray their costs, and payment plans are also offered to those who cannot afford to pay the entire cost of the course up front. The sole educational requirements are a high school diploma or a GED, which must be presented to the institution in order to enroll.
6. Phoenix College
Address: 1202 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85013
Phone: (602) 285 7777
Website
Phoenix College provides Maricopa County individuals with a high school diploma or GED a short course, noncredit Pharmacy Technician Program at a discounted price. The campus-based 72-hour curriculum can be finished in 14–16 weeks of study, or roughly one semester.
The program provides a further focus on the proper management of controlled substances and working with cutting-edge pharmaceutical options like Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) and IV medications, in addition to covering all the fundamental information and knowledge required to take and pass the PTCB certification exam.
Traditional financial aid is not available to cover the cost of the program, but there are payment options available to spread the expense over the course of the program. Residents of Maricopa County who can demonstrate their status will pay the lowest rates and might be qualified for various workforce grants.
7. Estrella Mountain Community College
Address: 3000 North Dysart Road
Avondale, AZ 85392
Phone: (623) 935-8000
Website
The non-credit granting Pharmacy Technician Certificate course offered at Estrella Mountain Community College is a 72 class hour offering that meets once evening a week for 12 weeks, with students also required to complete a short internship at a local retail pharmacy. All classwork is to be completed at their Avondale campus in person, but the evening schedule may be more convenient for those who work during the day.
The program - which requires proof of high school graduation or GED completion to enter - covers all the basics needed to pass the PTCB certification exam and offers an additional focus on more clinical aspects of the job including the proper fulfillment and administration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) prescriptions and IV medication basics.
While standard financial aid is not available to cover student costs a payment plan is offered to students and some local Maricopa County residents may also be eligible to receive state workforce grants to pay for the majority of their studies.
How Much Does a Pharmacy Technician Make in Glendale, AZ?
The main concern that almost everyone has when thinking about a new professional direction, particularly one that requires going to school, is how much of a return they will get on their time, money, and effort.
Or, more directly, how much money can I expect to make in Glendale, Arizona, as a pharmacy technician?
Each individual employer's unique pay scales will determine how much you can make as an entry-level pharmacy technician, but recent data can provide some insight.
The average pay for an entry-level, or Level 1 pharmacy technician, in Arizona in 2022 was $20.00 per hour, which is higher than the national average of $18.17 per hour, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
These average figures are based on the salaries offered to pharmacy technicians with less than two years of experience who are certified and licensed. With more experience to offer employers, a pharmacy technician can expect to make more than $23.76 per hour in a clinical setting, such as a hospital, or up to $22.76 per hour on average in a retail drugstore.