Pharmacy Technician Programs in Stockton, CA
As is the case across the US the role of the pharmacy technician in Stockton, CA in both a retail pharmacy and a clinical pharmacy setting is increasing in both scope and responsibility, making it an exciting career choice for those who want to work in the medical field but do not want to commit to seven to ten years of formal education.
In the State of California, to work as a pharmacy technician in any capacity, you must be both certified and licensed. To obtain the required certification those interested in becoming a pharmacy technician in California will need to complete a PTCB approved pharmacy technician program at one of the pharmacy technician schools in CA.
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Stockton
How much can a pharmacy technician expect to make in Stockton, CA? What are their future career prospects likely to be? These are reasonable questions to want answered before enrolling in a program offered by any school, which will involve a significant investment of both time and money.
In terms of salary, a Stockton pharmacy technician can expect to earn around the statewide average, and in some cases a little more. They can also expect to command salaries that are significantly higher than the national average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
In Stockton-Lodi, CA:
Pharmacy technicians on average earn $43,530 per annum/$20.93 per hour.
10% of pharmacy techs earn $32,150 per annum/ $15.46 per hour or less.
10% of pharmacy techs earn $64,770 per annum/ $31.14 per hour or more.
In California:
Pharmacy technicians on average earn $45,200 per annum/$21.73 per hour.
10% of pharmacy technicians earn $29,970 per annum/$14.41 per hour or less.
10% of pharmacy technicians earn $65,150 per annum/ $31.32 per hour or more.
In the United States:
Pharmacy technicians on average earn $33,950 per annum / $16.32 per hour
10% of pharmacy techs earn $24,120 per annum/ $11.60 per hour or less.
10% of pharmacy techs earn $49,130 per annum/ $23.62 per hour or more.
Job Outlook
The outlook for job growth is also good. In 2019 the BLS predicted an 11.2% growth could be expected, around 5,000 jobs, across California, however that was before the onset of COVID-19. Pharmacies across the country, including in Stockton, are playing a significant role in pandemic management, providing both testing and vaccinations, with pharmacy technicians helping to provide these services under the supervision of a pharmacist.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Stockton, CA
Not all US states require that a pharmacy technician be certified or licensed, but in California they must be both. The Board of Health now recognizes both the PTCE certification offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the ExCPT certification offered by the National Healthcare Careers Association.
In addition, they require that license candidates be over the age of 18, hold a high school diploma or GED, have a criminal record free of felonies or drug related misdemeanors and meet minimum vaccination requirements.
These requirements also need to be met to take the PTCB. As of 2020 candidates are also required to have completed a PTCB approved training program prior to sitting the exam. This makes finding the right program a must.
There are several higher education institutions in the area that offer PTCB approved courses, but each school offers something different. Here we’ll take a look at them all to help you make the right choice for you.
1. San Joaquin Delta College
5151 Pacific Ave Stockton, CA 95207 | 
209.954.5151
San Joaquin Delta College is a community focused college that offers two program options for those interested in becoming a pharmacy technician. One is a weekend program offered completely online via live streamed lectures and the other a hybrid evening program that offers the hands-on lab training that the online program does not, something that some employers, especially clinical pharmacies, prefer.
Both options however provide students with a basic overview of the knowledge and skills required to pass the PTCB and apply for California licensing as a pharmacy technician. In addition, to graduate from either program completion of a 120-hour externship with a local employer is mandatory. The program runs for five months and is offered twice a year. To be admitted students must meet all the requirements for California licensing as a pharmacy technician.
Whether it is taken online or as a hybrid offering the cost is set for the program at $2,600.00. Federal financial aid cannot be utilized for this program, but some students may be able to obtain a state workforce grant to help cover their costs. Some private lenders, such as Sallie Mae, may also offer a loan to creditworthy individuals.
2. Cal Regional Technical Training Center
3520 Brookside Road Stockton, CA 95219 | (800) 927-5159
Cal Regional is the name given to a loose collection of North California higher education institutes that offer vocational education to adults in their community.
For Stockton residents they offer a 182-hour Certificate in Pharmacy Technology that will provide graduates with everything they need to be prepared to take the PTCE and begin working as an entry level pharmacy technician. In addition to PTCB approved classroom and lab training students are required to complete a 120-hour externship with a local employer prior to graduation.
The cost of the program is set at $2,995, including books and fees. Traditional financial aid is not available, but many students take advantage of state workforce grants to help cover the cost, as well as private student loans from lenders such as Sallie Mae. To enrol students must meet all California pharmacy technician licensing requirements and prove their residence within the districts served.
3. Institute of Technology
5601 Stoddard Road Modesto, CA 95356 | 209.545.3100
Institute of Technology is a national career college that offers pharmacy technician training to Stockton residents via their Modesto campus, a 30-minute commute for most. Their Pharmacy Technician Certificate offers a ‘fast track’ to a career in a retail setting and can be completed in eight months on a full time, in person basis.
The program provides a broad overview of the skills needed to pass the PTCE - which 70% of graduated students do on their first try - and become a licensed pharmacy technician. In addition to classroom and lab training students must complete a 120-hour externship with a local employer.
To be admitted to the program students must meet California licensing requirements. The cost is a flat fee set, and for 2021 the cost is $18,328.00, excluding books and fees. Most students meet this via a combination of federal financial aid and state workforce grants.
4. Carrington College
1313 West Robinhood Drive, Suite B, Stockton CA 95207| (209) 676-3341
Carrington College is a private technical school with campuses around the country, including one in Stockton.
The Carrington College Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program is a blended learning program that combines classroom learning and an externship with a local employer in a retail or hospital environment. It will usually take ten months to complete, but some students will be able to finish and graduate earlier if they do more work at home.
According to the school, the cost of completing the Pharmacy Technician Degree Program varies depending on a student's circumstances in California. Students must meet all California pharmacy technician licensing standards in order to be admitted.
Federal and state financial aid is available, and certain students may also be eligible for grants. In addition to being PTCB approved, the program has now been accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists, which is a distinction that only a few programs have accomplished.
5. Cosumnes River College
8401 Center Parkway Sacramento, CA 95823| (916) 691-7344
With a campus in the heart of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College - a community college in the Los Rios District - is a short commute for Stockton residents, and their ASHP accredited AAS in Pharmacy Technician Degree Program is considered one of the best in the area.
This is a two-year degree program that calls for students to meet both California licensing standards and some stringent academic standards, including minimum SAT scores and the completion of prerequisite general education courses. It is offered as a campus based course on a full time basis.
Once accepted into the program most students pay for their education, which is charged on a per-credit basis and according to a student's personal circumstances, via Federal financial aid and, should they qualify, a limited number of state grants.
Other school guides and locations in California:
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