Pharmacy Technician Programs in Miami, FL
From assisting pharmacists with filling prescriptions to answering consumer questions and handling insurance claims, pharmacy technicians act as a bridge between pharmacists and patients.
There has been an increased demand for pharmacy technicians in recent years. By the year 2026, the projected employment for the profession is 33,960, a 22 percent increase from 2016. If you are interested in pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician, there are a total of five schools in the Miami area that offer training programs for the profession.
Requirements to be a Pharmacy Technician in Miami
While pharmacy technicians are regulated in the State of Florida, currently, a certification is not required to practice as a pharmacy tech. Individuals who are interested in obtaining a career in this field must complete a pharmacy technician training program; additionally, they must be licensed.
Additional requirements to become a pharmacy technician in the State of Florida, include:
- You must be 17 years of age or older
- Proof that a training program that is approved by the State Board of Pharmacy in Florida
- An application requesting registration as a Pharmacy Technician at the Florida State Board of Pharmacy
- A copy of a valid US Social Security card
- License renewal every two years with a $55 biennial registration fee
A $50 application fee - 20-hour continuing education every biennial year with coursework that is approved by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education or the State Board of Pharmacy in Florida, as well as another 4 hours of live presentation and 2 hours of medical law and limiting errors
Pharmacy Tech Salary and Job Outlook in Miami
The employment outlook for the pharmacy technician occupation in the State of Florida are very good. In 2016, of the 420,400 pharmacy technicians who were employed in the United States, 27,750 were employed in Florida. By the year 2026, the projected employment in this field is 33,960, with an estimated 2,990 job openings annually between 2016 and 2026; a projected growth rate of 22 percent in a 10 year period.
Nationally, the average annual salary for pharmacy technicians is $33,950. At $33,980, the average annual salary for pharmacy technicians in the city of Miami is only slightly lower than the national average.
Location | Median Wages |
|---|---|
United States | $33,950 |
Florida | $32,750 |
$33,230 | |
$32,880 | |
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $33,980 |
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $31,580 |
$29,920 | |
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $32,320 |
Ten percent of those who are employed as pharmacy technicians earn $49,130 or more per year, while in Florida, ten percent of employees in this field earn $44,990 or more; a difference of roughly $4,000. Additionally, ten percent of pharmacy technicians earn $24,120 or less per year nationally, and in Miami, FL, ten percent of employees in this field earn $25,060 or less; a difference of just under $1,000.
With a projected growth rate of 22 percent over the span of a decade, coupled with the average salaries, a career as a pharmacy technician in Miami, Florida is very promising.
List of Pharmacy Technician Schools in Miami, FL
As mentioned, individuals who wish to seek a career as a pharmacy technician must successfully complete an accredited training program.
There are five schools in the Miami area that offer high-quality pharmacy training programs. Below, we highlight each of these schools, such as the coursework and prerequisite requirements for each program.
Florida Vocational Institute
7757 W Flagler St, #220, Miami, FL, 33144 | 
718 574 3350
The Pharmacy Technician Program at the Florida Vocational Institute School of Nursing is designed to provide students with the education and skills they will need in this occupation. The courses for this program are a combination of Instructor-Led Live Online classes, as well as on-campus practices. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a diploma.
The Pharmacy Technician program at the Florida Vocational Institute teaches students how to assist the pharmacists they will work with in the safe and effective dispensing and distribution of medications. Additionally, students will learn how to effectively meet the needs of patients. Other skills that students will acquire through this program include:
- The ability to identify generic and brand name medications
- Correct calculations for dosage solution and strength of medication
- How to compound and mix drugs
- The ethics and laws that apply to the practice of pharmacy
- How to successfully handle administration functions
Once students complete the accredited training program, they can take a certification exam that is approved by the State Board of Pharmacy in Florida in order to become certified. The Florida Vocational Institute also offers 40 hours of preparation for the certification exam.
The Praxis Institute
1850 S.W. 8th Street, 4th Floor, Miami, FL, 33135 | 786 577 6909
The Pharmacy Technician Diploma Program at the Praxis Institute is a fast-paced course that is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they will need to obtain a career in this industry so they can successfully become licensed.
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be offered Program Reviews, which will allow them to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) so that they can become Certified Pharmacy Technician and Registered Pharmacy Technician, as state law requires. Classes can be taken in-person and on-campus, or they can be taken fully remote.
Miami Dade College
950 NW 20th St, Miami, FL 33127 | 305 237 4141
The Pharmacy Technician Program at Miami Dade College offers students the academic and hands-on knowledge and skills that are required to become a successful and supportive pharmacist assistance. It’s a Vocational Credit Certificate program that is completed over a 2-3 semester program of study that requires 35 vocational credits or 1,050 contact hours.
Prior to entering the Pharmacy Technician Program, students are required to complete the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE); however, completion of the test does not guarantee admission into the training program.
Students of this program are assigned to a clinical facility in Miami-Dade County. Areas of study include intro to pharmacy, practitioner applications, pharmacy calculations, and drug classifications.
Global Medical and Technical Training Institute
1830 NW 7th St, Miami, FL 33125 | 786 321 3793
The objective of the Pharmacy Technician program at the Global Medical and Technical Training Institute is to prepare students to obtain a position as a pharmacy technician under the supervision of a pharmacist. Students will learn the foundation of pharmacy practices, including compounding, how to calculate and fill prescription medications, among other vital topics. Students will also complete a 4 hours HIV/AIDs course.
In order to graduate from this program, students must successfully complete all required course assignments, fulfill all obligations required by the school, and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0. Certification is not a requirement for graduation. The program includes 1,020 hours over a 51 week period.
D. A. Dorsey Technical College
7100 NW 17th Ave, Miami, FL 33147 | (305) 693-2490
The Pharmacy Technician program at the D.A. Dorsey Technical College aims to provide students with a quality education and the training that is necessary to meet the needs of the position. Students will be assisted with choosing, preparing for, entering in, and obtaining gainful employment as a Pharmacy Technician. Instruction includes both classroom theory and practical experience via on-the-job training.
During this program, students will learn how to effectively measure, weigh, and mix prescription drugs and how to prepare and label medications. They will also learn how to issue medication to students, maintain inventory, and organize and input patient medication profiles. The program is 1050 hours and students can earn a certification once they have acquired completion of Occupational Completion Points in basic healthcare worker, pharmacy technician 1, 2, and 3.
Florida Education Institute
5818 SW 8th Street Miami, FL 33144 | (305) 693-2490
The Pharmacy Technician Program at the Florida Education Institute provides students who are interested in obtaining a career in this field with the hands-on knowledge and academic information that they will need to successful fulfill the role of a pharmacy technician. Once students graduate from the program, the pharmacy technician school registered them with the Florida Board of Pharmacy.
Coursework includes learning how to properly dispense medications, organize inventory, collect information and read prescriptions, process insurance claims, pack and label prescriptions, accept payment for prescriptions, and even how to properly input patient information into a pharmacy’s computer system. Students should be able to pay a keen attention to detail and they should be active listeners. They should also exhibit patience and have a friendly disposition.
Also Related:
Sources:
- O*Net Online: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2052.00
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Pharmacy Technicians,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm