Pharmacy Technician Programs in Los Angeles, CA
There are 36,560 pharmacy technicians in the State of California. Professionals live across the state but the highest population live in Los Angeles. There are various career opportunities for pharmacy techs in Los Angeles and the job provides a good pay and long-term benefits. But, the first step to becoming a pharmacy tech is searching for pharmacy technician schools in Los Angeles. Keep reading to learn the best pharmacy tech schools and classes in your area!
Pharmacy Technician Requirements in California
Generally speaking, the right education and training are the basic requirement for aspiring pharmacy techs in Los Angeles, CA.
To become a fully-fledged pharmacy technician in California, you need to complete a pharmacy technician course or certificate which can be obtained from an institution approved and recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
The State of California requires all Pharmacy Technicians be licensed with the
State. Licensing includes fingerprinting and a criminal background check.
The California State Board of Pharmacy may take up to 45 days to process Pharmacy Technician applications.
Since 2004, the California Board of Pharmacy offers different routes to qualify as a pharmacy technician within the state.
These include:
- Obtaining an AA in Pharmacy Technology
- Proof of completing a board-approved pharmacy technician training program
- Graduate from a school approved by the American Council of Pharmaceutical Education
- Must apply for PTCB examination
If you are a person who likes to solve puzzles, working with numbers and putting stuff together, then Pharmacy Technician is a career that you might enjoy.
Pharmacy Technician Salary and Job Outlook in Los Angeles
A pharmacy technician is a licensed healthcare provider that performs pharmacy-related functions and works collaboratively with a licensed pharmacist.
The pharmacy technician career is a stable job with various opportunities and increasing demand - there are plenty of jobs nationwide.
The outlook for such a profession is bright as it continues to grow every year.
Employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians in Los Angeles, CA continue to boom. The projected growth for 2018 to 2028 is at 10%.
The salaries of pharmacy technicians in the US varies. In Los Angeles, pharmacy technicians earn an average amount of $21.20 an hour with an annual mean salary of $44090. Some pharmacy technicians may also earn up to $29.89 or more in an hour.
As of 2019, the annual wage salary of pharmacy technicians in Los Angeles has reached $62180. It clearly shows that such a profession is worth considering.
As a pharmacy tech, you can get to work in various settings such as hospitals, clinics, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes.
Pharmacies stay open late, so expect that you’ll be working longer during weekdays, weekends, and nights.
Moreover, the local demand will continue to grow due to advances in pharmaceutical research, an increase in flu shots and vaccines, and higher rates of chronic illnesses.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Los Angeles, CA
Pharmacy tech schools and training centers are everywhere in California. The selection of schools is quite wide making it easy to find the best institution that suits you.
Below is a summary of pharmacy technician schools in Los Angeles, CA.
American College of Healthcare and Technology (Huntington Park)
6606 Pacific Blvd, Suite 204 Huntington Park, California 90255 Phone (323) 585-9000
You can study the 8-month Pharmacy Technician Diploma from the American College of Healthcare and Technology (ACHT) at their Riverside, Santa Ana or Huntington Park Campus.
In this program you’ll learn everything from medical terminology to pharmaceutical calculations, then have the possibility of an externship to gain real-world experience.
What can a student expect on externship?
Students may be working in a retail store, working on customer service, there are hospitals, in and outpatient facilities. Sterile production as well that makes the IV’s and chemo bags.
Upon completion students can sit the national certification exam administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT).
American Career College (Los Angeles)
4021 Rosewood Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90004 Phone (323) 668-7555
American Career College offers an accelerated Pharmacy Technician diploma that can be completed in as little as nine months from their Los Angeles campus.
The program is taught in a blended format combining online and classroom instruction. Students can start on the program online and finish on campus. Day and evening classes are available.
You will have the chance to learn about pharmacy law, drug fundamentals, pharmacology, drug distribution, IV preparation and complete a clinical externship at the end of course.
The tuition cost is $11,495 including miscellaneous. Students enrolled in healthcare courses can qualify for the federal-state scholarship program.
The Pharmacy Technician Training program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
Once you finish your course, you will be equipped with all the skills and knowledge needed to immediately begin working in a pharmacy in California.
North-West College (Glendale)
221 N. Brand Blvd. Lower Lvl. Glendale, CA 91203 Phone 818-696-0102
North-West College's Glendale campus is located two miles north of the Glendale Metrolink station.
The school offers a Pharmacy Technician course that consists of lectures, lab works, and a 240-hour clinical internship in a pharmacy setting. The Pharmacy Technician Program is 40 weeks long, or approximately 9 months.
Students can train online or attend classes at the nearest campus. Classes are full time, held during the daytime or evening, so you can choose the one that’s right for you .
The tuition cost is $8,575 including books and uniforms. College payment plans and private educational loans are available to qualified students.
Prerequisites of the course vary on location. Classes begin throughout the year.
The Pharmacy Technician course is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
West LA College
9000 Overland Avenue ∙ Culver City, CA 90230 Phone (310) 287-7289
West LA College is located in Culver City and is recognized as one of the best online colleges in California.
West LA Colleges' Pharmacy Technician Program offers options for a Basic and/or Advanced Certificate of Achievement Program and an Associate of Science Degree Program.
The basic Pharmacy Technician Certificate of Achievement program one-year program that includes 80 hours of advanced clinical training.
After completing the coursework and meeting all the requirements, you can obtain a State of California Pharmacy Technician license through the state board exam.
Classes are held online in a synchronous and asynchronous manner.
The program curriculum meets the requirements of the Association of Health Systems Pharmacists (ASHP)
Downey Adult School Career and Education Center
12340 Woodruff Ave Downey, CA 90241 Phone (562) 940-6200
You can study the pharmacy technician certification program from the Downey Adult School during the day or the evening. Learn basic concepts of pharmacology, pharmacy calculations, labeling, recordkeeping, drug dosages and packaging, then have the possibility of a 120-hour externship to gain real-world experience in a pharmacy-setting.
Once completed, students can apply for the state registration with the California State Board of Pharmacy and sit the National Certification Exam with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (CPhT).
Cost for the program is $3,999. There are extra charges for books, uniforms and other additional requirements of the program.
UEI College (Gardena)
61 W Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247 Phone (877) 463-4472
The Pharmacy Technician Diploma Program is offered in various UEI College campuses including the Gardena campus.
The duration of the program is 36 weeks long conducted in a classroom and laboratory environment on campus with an externship consisting of 120 hours of on-the-job training at an approved external employment site in the community. Class sizes are small, with a 30:1 student/teacher ratio, meaning that your instructor will be able to give you the help and guidance you need to succeed in the program.
Distance learning is offered and timing varies depending on the program schedule.
Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
Galaxy Medical College (North Hollywood)
400 Laurel Canyon Blvd. Suite 115 North Hollywood, CA 91606 Phone (818) 509-9970
Galaxy Medical College offers a pharmacy technician diploma program with a duration of 45 weeks with a class size of 12:1 offering flexible morning and evening classes.
The school is also accredited by the Accrediting Bureau for Health Education Schools (ABHES) and Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
The course consists of attending lectures in a traditional classroom setting, hands-on training and hours of externship in a pharmacy setting.
A diploma is awarded to the student after completing the course - the diploma qualifies you to obtain a CA State of the Board license.
The prerequisites include a copy of a High School diploma/GED, valid state ID, and proficiency in the English language.
At the Galaxy Medical College, students can apply for financial aid through federal loans, federal pell grant, and federal plus loan. Students are also assisted with job placement.
Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education (Baldwin Park)
4640 North Maine Avenue, Baldwin Park, CA 91706 Phone 626-939-4456
Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education offers a Pharmacy Technician training program from their campus in Baldwin Park, CA. You will learn all the technical skills to work as an entry level Pharmacy Technician in a hospital or community setting.
Once you finish this program you will qualify to make an application for the California State Board of Pharmacy License.
Classes are typically held on-site full time with the following schedules: Monday – Thursday
from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm and Fridays 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.
This is a 615-hour course over 3 quarters and is priced at $350/quarter. There are other costs for books, equipment, etc that bring the total price to $2,379.
Financial aid is available to students who quality and meet the requirements and demonstrate financial need. Federal Pell grants are also available to qualifying students.
The prerequisite to start this course is a TABE test score at the 7th grade Reading, Language, and Mathematics level.
East Los Angeles Occupation Center
2100 Marengo St., Los Angeles, CA 90033 Phone (213)241-4790
ELAOC offers a competency-based pharmacy technician certificate program from their base on the East Los Angeles campus. The Pharmacy Technician Program consists of theory and clinical preparation which typically takes 18 weeks to complete.
Program consists of 1 course of 540 hours taken in one semester with clinical externships required to complete the program. Preparation for state exams are included. The cost of the program is $650 per course.
Other costs for book supplies, uniform, lab fees, liability insurance, PTCB exam fees, background check fees and drug test fees are extra.
Classes are held from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. The 540 program hours is made of up theory learning (4 weeks or 120 hours), lab course work (10 weeks or 300 hours), experiential training (6 weeks or 120 hours).
Class sizes are small (15 students) and thus efficient for maximizing your learning experience.
To qualify, candidates must obtain a High School or GED or Associates Degree and be 18 years old. They also need to submit to a background check and drug test.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be qualified to register with the California State Board of Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Technician. The program is American Society of Health-System Pharmacist (ASHP) approved.