Paralegal Programs in Indianapolis, IN
As the general population ages, and the roles that pharmacies are playing in community healthcare increase, becoming a pharmacy technician offers those interested in working in the healthcare industry without the need for years of expensive schooling a great chance to enter an exciting and often well-paying career field.
In addition to helping a supervising pharmacist fill prescriptions, pharmacy technicians are often responsible for insurance billing and provide the bulk of in pharmacy customer service and patient care.
Some may even be able to participate in newer pharmacy offerings, such as vaccination clinics. A pharmacy tech can also work in busy hospital or residential care center pharmacies. Pharmacy technician certification can be the key to these higher paying jobs, which is where Indianapolis-based pharmacy technician programs come in.
To get started in pharmacy technology check out the sections below:
What are the Requirements to be a Pharmacy Technician in Indiana?
Indiana is one of the states in the US that requires that pharmacy technicians obtain a formal license, in this case from the Indiana State Board of Pharmacy.
To do this, a candidate must be over the age of 18, hold a high school diploma or GED, have a criminal record free of felonies, pass a drug test, meet minimum vaccination standards and be able to show that they have completed a PTCB approved training program.
They must also pay a $25 registration fee.
PTCB certification is not immediately required to obtain a license from the State Board of Pharmacy, but the license issued will be for a 'pharmacy technician in training' until it is obtained, at which point a full license can be issued.
Licensed pharmacy technicians are then expected to complete further education credits every two years to keep their license in good standing.
At this time the alternative national pharmacy certification, the NHA's ExCPT, is not accepted by the Indiana State Board of Pharmacy as an alternative to the PTCB certification, but that is currently under review by the state for possible future acceptance.
Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician Programs in Indianapolis, IN
As we have explained, in order to become licensed, a pharmacy technician working in Indiana must show proof of completion of a PTCB approved training course. To become fully licensed they must then pass the PTCB certification exam.
A number of these approved pharmacy technician training courses are available to Indianapolis residents, but as each offers something different, in terms of class formats, program length and associated costs, it pays to know more about all of your options before making a final decision on the pharmacy technician training program that is right for you.
Ivy Tech Community College
Certificate in Pharmacy Technician
50 W Fall Creek Pkwy N Dr,
Indianapolis, IN 46208
(888) 489-5463
Ivy Tech Community College is a traditional two-year community college offering a wide range of Associate Degree and Certificate programs, including a two semester short certificate program in Pharmacy Technology of 19 credit hours.
The course is offered on a full time, on-campus basis to students over the age of 18 who hold a high school diploma or GED and can meet other admissions standards, including having maintained a 2.5 GPA in their senior year. Indianapolis residency is not a must, but out-of-state students will be charged tuition at a higher rate.
This program offers a comprehensive overview of the technical skills and theory needed to pass the PTCB certification exam and work as an entry level pharmacy tech, but also places strong emphasis on practical lab skills, including drug formulary, via lessons in the campus labs. Students are also given IV medication instruction.
The cost of the program is charged on a per-credit basis, with the cost of those credits dependent upon a student's income and personal circumstances, with the lowest rates charged to in-state residents. Federal financial aid is available to those students who qualify, and credits earned in this program can later be applied towards the completion of an AAS degree program.
Emerge Learning Institute
Pharmacy Technician Certificate
P.O. Box 29405
Indianapolis, Indiana 46229
317-492-3368
Emerge Learning Institute is a private for profit school offering healthcare focused certificate programs across a wide range of healthcare fields, including 260 hours made up of didactic, simulation and an externship. Pharmacy Technician Certificate program designed to prepare students to take their pharmacy technician certification exam and work as an entry level pharmacy technician.
The program is presented as a hybrid online/campus based offering that can be completed in under 12 months of study. Students receive training in every aspect of an entry level pharmacy technician's duties and responsibilities, including prescription preparation, formulary basics, pharmacy ethics and billing best practices as well as customer service skills and an understanding of their responsibilities under HIPAA.
At the end of the program, students will sit the NHA's ExCPT exam to earn their CPhT credentials, the cost of which is included in their overall tuition price. Tuition, which also includes books and supplies, is currently set at $2700. While traditional student aid is not available, the school offers a payment plan to all students, regardless of credit score, to spread out the cost over several months.
Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital
Health Sciences Education Pharmacy Technician Program Certificate
1701 N Senate Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46202
1-888-484-3258
This program bills itself as a 'fast track' to becoming a pharmacy technician, as it can be completed in as little as four months of full time, on campus study. It is also one of two only programs in the state of Indiana to be accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists/Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ASHP/ACPE), an honor bestowed on a select number of such programs.
Despite its shorter length, this certificate program offers an intensified learning experience that covers all the theory and practice needed to pass the pharmacy technician certification exam and secure a position as an entry level pharmacy tech in either a retail or clinical setting.
Courses consists of Pharmacy Practice for Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmaceutical Calculations, Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Law, Professionalism for Technicians.
In addition, as the course is taught within a working university hospital students have the chance to complete a six-week clinical rotation in the hospital pharmacy, giving them real world, hands-on experience likely to prove invaluable in their future career.
The ASHP accredited course is 606 total hours made up of 262 didactic work hours, 104 hands on lab hours and 240 clinical hours. Class size is just 18. Students must maintain a grade point average of 75% or above to graduate from the program.
To be admitted to the program, students must be over the age of 18 and hold a high school diploma or GED and pass a school set skills test in English and Math. They must also be able to pass drug and criminal background checks and prove US citizenship or legal permanent residency.
As this is not a credit granting offering, traditional federal financial aid cannot be used to meet the cost, which is set at $2,100, minus the cost of uniforms and textbooks which is an additional of $600-$800. Students may however be able to obtain a private student loan via a lender like Sallie Mae. Pay later/pay in four financing may also be available via Affirm.
What Can I Earn as a Pharmacy Technician in Indianapolis?
EnterAccording to the latest figures (as of 2022) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, on average a certified pharmacy technician working in Indianapolis can expect to earn $18.08 per hour, or $37,610.
These figures are based however on the salaries paid to a retail pharmacy technician. Those working in a clinical setting, including in retail based minute clinics, or with more experience, can expect to command higher wages, up to $46,740 per annum or higher.