Pharmacy Technician Programs in Rochester, NY
Pharmacy Technician is a fast-growing industry for the state of New York including Rochester. The advancements in technology are not stopping, and therefore, this industry is the biggest beneficiary.
The primary function of a pharmacy technician is to process, prepare, and dispense medications for patients. These professionals also manage the inventory of medications and health-related products, as well as handle administrative tasks and answer any questions their patients may have.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there has been a surge in demand for pharmacy technicians in recent years not just in New York but right across the nation, and the occupation is expected to see continued growth in upcoming years.
Requirements to Be a Pharmacy Technician in Rochester
In order to become a pharmacy technician in Rochester, NY, you must meet the following minimum criteria:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have a high school diploma or the equivalent of a high school diploma (GED)
- Have good moral character
- Pass a criminal background check
While the State of New York does not regulate the pharmacy technician field, it is in your best interest to attend and complete an American Society of Health-System Pharmacists-accredited (ASHP) pharmacy technician training program.
ASHP-accredited training programs meet the requirements that are recommended by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the (PTCB) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA), the national pharmacy technician certification programs.
Both major pharmacy chains and small, local pharmacies in Rochester realize the value of a national certification and will give preference to certified pharmacy technicians, and will pay them a higher salary, too.
Salary and Job Outlook in Rochester, NY
The average national salary for a pharmacy technician is $33,950. An estimated 10 percent of employees in this profession earn $24,120 or less and 10 percent earn $49,130 or more per year, nationally.
For 2019, pharmacy technicians in Rochester earned $31,030 per year, on average, slightly less than the average national salary. On the low end, 10 percent of pharmacy technicians in Rochester earn $24,290 or lower, which is also slightly higher than the average low end of the yearly income for this profession. Additionally, 10 percent of employees in this field earn $41,230 or more per year, which is also slightly higher than the high-end of the national average.
Workers in Rochester on average earn $31,030
Workers in New York on average earn $33,550
Workers nationwide on average earn $33,950
There are 1,790 projected annual job openings in New York State between 2016-2026, that's a 16% projected growth according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Projected Employment for Pharmacy Technicians in US vs. New York
United States | New York |
|---|---|
420,400 | 18,140 2016 Employment |
451,900 | 20,980 |
+8% | +16% |
38,300 | 1,790 |
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Rochester, NY
For individuals who are interested in a career as a pharmacy technician in Rochester, NY, there are two schools in the city that offer training programs for this occupation.
Both schools offer excellent accredited training programs. Below, we provide an overview of both schools, including a description of the courses, as well as other pertinent information that pertains to each school’s program.
The College at Brockport, Rochester Educational Opportunity Center
161 Chestnut Street, Rochester, NY 14604 | 
585 232 2730
Upon successful completion of the content offered by the pharmacy technician program at the College at Brockport, students will have acquired the knowledge and skills that are needed to complete the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), which will allow students to become a nationally certified pharmacy technician. In order for students to enter this program, they must be at least 18 years of age or older.
Additional requirements for this program include:
- A diploma or a high school equivalent
- A physical
- Two professional references
- A valid Social Security number
- A current flu vaccination
The duration of the program is approximately one school year. Students will need to complete an application for the pharmacy technician program on the REOC website. Once you have completed the online application, bring all required documentation that proves you meet the above-mentioned entry requirements to the admissions office. When your documentation and application have been reviewed and approved, you may be registered to take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) Test or the Criterion Referenced English Syntax Test (CREST).
Monroe Community College
1000 E. Henrietta Road, Workforce Development, Rochester, NY 14623 | 855 520 6806
The pharmacy technician training program at Monroe Community College provides students with the education and training that they will need to pursue a career in this occupation. Examples of information that students will acquire through this program include federal and state laws that govern pharmacies, pharmaceutical ethics practices, HIPPA requirements, how to properly read and interpret prescriptions and orders from physicians, and how to process insurance billing and collect payments.
Prerequisites to enter this training program include:
- Proficiency in keyboarding
- A basic understanding of high school math, including proportions and percent’s
- A high school diploma or the equivalent
- A criminal background check
- A drug test
The pharmacy technician training program is a 12 month training program and includes 400 course hours.
References
National Center for O*NET Development
New York State Department of Labor, Division of Research & Statistics
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Pharmacy Technicians
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, Pharmacy Technicians https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292052.htm