Pharmacy Technician Programs in Newark, NJ

Newark, NJ is a busy, lively place, serving as one of the largest air hubs in the US as well as the State of New Jersey's most populous city.

Its diverse 282,015 population need a lot of things to maintain their everyday living standards, including both retail and clinical pharmacies to help them maintain and safeguard their health.

Pharmacy technicians in Newark have an especially important healthcare role to play. They are often a patient's major point of contact at their local pharmacy and as assistants to pharmacists in both retail and clinical settings their help and expertise is essential, something highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To become a pharmacy technician in Newark - or anywhere else in the state - you must register with the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy. Part of the criteria to do that includes completing a state approved education program and obtaining certification via either the PTCE or the ExCPT exam.

While Newark itself is not home to many such schools nearby New York City is, and completing a course there is acceptable to the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy. There are a number of these programs- and schools - to choose from - and each offers something a little different.

Before we take a closer look at these schools though it may help to discuss why you might want to pursue a career as a pharmacy technician in Newark in the first place.

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Salary and Employment Outlook for Pharmacy Technicians in Newark

A certified pharmacy technician has lots of different options when it comes to their chosen career path.

In addition to working in a retail pharmacy they can chose to work in hospital, long term care facility, a pharmacy attached to an urgent care center, one of the growing number of mail order pharmacies and even, in and around Newark, an alternative pharmacy like a medical marijuana dispensary.

This means that employment outlook is an excellent one, and the average salaries paid to New Jersey pharmacy technicians are rather good as well.

In terms of statistics, Newark is counted by the government, and specifically by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as a part of the huge New York/Newark/Jersey City metropolitan area where, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) more than 20,910 were registered as pharmacy technicians across the three states the area encompasses - NY, NJ and PA. 

Registration with the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy allows people to work anywhere in this area, so, as you can see the employment potential is huge.

In terms of average salary for the area the rates are competitive. Starting salaries, as per BLS 2021 wage data - those in the 10th percentile, averaged $14.07, rising to $28.12 in the 90th percentile.

The median average hourly wage in 2021 was $17.82 ($37,060 annual wage rate) for pharmacy techs working in the the Newark metropolitan area.  

Those figures were for 2021 however, and a number of large retail employers have significantly raised pay in responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and a pharmacy technician's designation as a frontline essential worker.

In addition, the minimum wage in NY was increased top $15.00 per hour in December 2019.

Skyline of downtown Newark, NJ

Pharmacy Technician Schools in Newark, NJ

There are, as previously mentioned, several approved pharmacy technician programs for Newark, NJ residents interested in entering the field to choose from.

Here we are going to take a closer look at them and just what they entail and have to offer.

American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education – Piscataway

4500 New Brunswick Ave, Piscataway, NJ 08854|Phone: 908-222-0002

Located just outside Newark in Piscataway, NJ, the American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education is private vocational school offering certificate programs that help people move into several healthcare fields, including pharmacy technology.

The Pharmacy Technician Training Certificate program offered at AIMS - as it is more commonly known - is a nine-month program designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the skills needed to work as a pharmacy technician and to pass either the PTCE or the ExCPT certification exam.

In 2020 the cost of the program varies according to a student's personal circumstances and income, but the school provides a net price calculator here to offer a better estimate of what those costs might be for you.

Traditional federal and state financial aid is available, as are a limited number of state workforce grants. Those not eligible for government student loans can consider a private student loan from a lender like Sallie Mae and the school does offer an installment-based payment plan.

To be admitted to the program students must be over the age of 18, hold a high school diploma or GED and pass both criminal background and drug tests. They must also be able to pass a school administered basic skills tests and meet minimum vaccination requirements.

The course is offered on a full-time basis, and while all practical work is completed in the school's labs some coursework can be completed online. Students must also complete a 250-hour clinical internship. This is arranged by the school and must be complete before graduation.

The program is recognized as an acceptable one by the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy and the PTCB.

Monroe College - Bronx NY

2501 Jerome Avenue Bronx, NY 10468|Phone: (718) 933-6700

Located a subway ride away from Newark, NJ in the Bronx, NY, Monroe College is a full degree granting institution that also offers certificate programs in various vocational disciplines to working adults, including a Pharmacy Technician Certificate.

The cost of the program in 2020 varies according to a student's personal circumstances and those interested in it are advised to contact the school for more information. Traditional financial aid is available to those who qualify, and the school also offers a payment plan to help spread out the cost for those not taking out student loans.

To be accepted into the program students must be over the age of 18, hold a high school diploma or GED and meet minimum academic requirements. In addition, they will need to obtain a background check to provide to the school and pass a drug test.

The course can be completed in as little as 9 months, and is offered as a hybrid program, with some of the work completed on campus and some completed online. It offers a broad overview of the skills needed to work as a registered certified pharmacy technician as well as specialist prep prior to taking the PTCE.

The program is approved by both the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy and the PTCB.

Manhattan Institute - New York, NY

45 West 34th St, New York, NY 10001 5th floor|Phone: 347-220-8181

Manhattan Institute's Pharmacy Technician Certificate program is one of the best known in the state of NY and attracts students from across the country. It is one of the few such programs in the Newark, NJ area that is taught entirely by working pharmacists, and these people can offer a unique insight into working as a pharmacy technician today.

The cost of the program varies according to a student's personal circumstances and income. To get a better idea of the costs you might face the school recommends speaking with an admissions' counselor directly. Traditional federal and state financial aid is available to those who qualify, as are several state-based grants.

To be admitted to the program a student must be 18 years old or older and have a high school diploma or GED. They must also pass both criminal background and drug checks and meet minimum educational and physical fitness requirements.

Classes are held at the school's Manhattan campus, including a number of practical lab components, and a school arranged externship must also be completed prior to graduation.

The Manhattan Institute's Pharmacy Technician Certificate program is approved by both the PTCB and the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy.

ASA College - Brooklyn, NY

151 Lawrence Street Brooklyn, NY 11201| Phone: (718) 522-9073

ASA College in Brooklyn offers an Associate of Occupational Studies Degree Program in Pharmacy Technology. This is a more advanced educational path that is best suited to those who want to begin their careers in a clinical, rather than a retail, pharmacy setting or who want to advance to a supervisory capacity as soon as possible.

The cost of this degree program is charged on a per credit hour basis. Those cost varies according to a student's personal situation, residence and income and the school advises scheduling a personal meeting to discuss what those might be for you.

Traditional financial aid is available for those who qualify, and the school does offer scholarships to some students. In addition, private student loans via institutions like Sallie Mae can be used to cover the costs of the program as well.

Admission to the program is open to those who are over 18 and hold a high school diploma or GED. Minimum educational and health standards need to be met and students must pass both a criminal background check and a drug screen. Students will also be required to meet with an admissions representative to review their previous academic record.

Over the course of three semesters - approximately 18 months (about 1 and a half years) - students complete extensive classroom-based work as well as two external work placements arranged by the school, one in a retail setting and one in a clinical setting. These must be completed prior to graduation.

The program is approved by the PTCB and the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy. 

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