Pharmacy Technician Programs in Mesa, AZ

Whether in a retail or clinical setting, pharmacy technicians have become indispensable members of any pharmacy team.

A trained technician is frequently called upon to assist in almost every aspect of the pharmacy’s day-to-day operations, and is frequently the person responsible for the majority of in-person patient contact.

This is true of Mesa, AZ too. However, to work as a pharmacy technician in Arizona, you must attend a pharmacy technician program and become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

Job Growth and Salary Prospects for Mesa  Pharmacy Techs

It’s helpful to have a better understanding of what a new career might offer in terms of salary and career growth before paying for schooling and taking the time to learn a new vocational skill.

The average salary for a pharmacy technician in Arizona state in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, was $41,590 per year, or $20.00 per hour.

Mesa residents had a similar hourly wage, averaging at $20.00 per hour, or $41,590 per year.

Salaries differ depending on the level of experience and the employer. According to the BLS, the bottom ten percent of pharmacy techs in Mesa earned less than $33,440 per year, while the top ten percent earned more than $49,700.

For several years, job growth in the field of pharmacy technology has been strong in Arizona, and this trend is expected to continue. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted a 12% increase in available jobs between 2016 and 2026, but those projections were made before the pandemic, and now certified pharmacy technicians are in even higher demand as a result of it.

Registration and Certification Requirements for PT’s in Arizona

To work as a pharmacy technician in Mesa, and throughout the state of Arizona, you must be an American citizen or permanent resident alien who has passed the PTCB – Pharmacy Technician Board’s – PTCE certification exam and has registered with the Arizona Board of Pharmacy. They must also pass a drug test and present a criminal background check that is free of felonies or drug-related misdemeanors.

The ExCPT, a newer pharmacy technician certification exam developed by the National HealthCareer Association, is now accepted for registration and licensure, but the PTCB is preferred.

Education is crucial as well. As of 2019, a student must complete an approved training program before taking the PTCE. This must be an approved offering by the PTCB and the Arizona Board of Pharmacy in Arizona. Before participating in any externships, those enrolled in such programs must register with the Board as “pharmacy technicians in training.”

Pharmacy Technician Programs in Mesa, AZ

There are several pharmacy technician schools to choose from in Mesa. Each of them has something unique to offer. For some students, cost and availability of student loans may be the most important factors, while for others, scheduling and learning format may be more important. As a result, we’ll take a closer look at them all here.

Pima Medical Institute

Address: 957 S. Dobson Road
Mesa, AZ 85202
Tel: 800-477-PIMA
Website

Pima Medical Institute is a private vocational college with campuses across the country, including one in Mesa, Arizona. The school serves a diverse group of students, but it’s programs are especially well suited to working adults looking to change careers.

The PIMA Medical Institute Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program also offers a fast track to completing a comprehensive overview of the skills needed to work as a pharmacy technician and passing the PTCE exam. Students who attend daytime classes will finish in 35 weeks (about 8 months), while those who attend night classes will finish in 40 weeks (about 9 months).

The program fees are listed annually on their website. This figure excludes the cost of mandatory testing, background checks, and other school fees, which will increase the price cost..

Traditional federal and state student loans, as well as some Arizona workforce grants, are available to those who qualify. A payment plan is available to those who do not take out student loans, but the balance must be paid before graduation.

Students must be able to meet all of the Board of Pharmacy’s requirements for pharmacy technician registration in order to be admitted to the Mesa, Arizona program. Students must also pass a basic entrance exam, demonstrating that they can pass the basic math section with a score of 60% or higher.

Students are encouraged to participate in an externship with a local employer. These are coordinated with the school’s assistance.

The Pima Pharmacy Tech program is recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the Arizona Board of Pharmacy, and it is also accredited by the ASHP, an honor held only by a few such programs.

Brookline College

Address: 1140 S. Priest Drive
Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: (888) 793-0557
Website

Brookline College has a wide range of programs to choose from, including certificate programs and associate degrees. For those interested in becoming a certified pharmacy technician, they offer a certificate program that can be completed in as little as 36 weeks (about 8 and a half months).

The course is taught in a hybrid format, with much of the written classroom material completed online. This makes it an especially adaptable program for working adults who must balance their education with other responsibilities.

If they qualify, the majority of students pay for the Brookline College Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program with traditional student financial aid. Individual students’ course costs will vary based on their age, residency status, and other factors like available income.

To be admitted to the program, students must meet the Board of Pharmacy’s registration requirements and pass a basic math skills test administered by the school. As part of the course, they must also complete a practical externship. To do so, students are placed with a local Fry’s Food Stores Pharmacy or a Walgreens Pharmacy, where they will gain valuable hands-on experience that will help them greatly once they graduate.

Brookline College’s program has been approved by the PTCB and the Arizona Board of Pharmacy, and credits earned can be applied to future study at the school if students choose to pursue an associate degree in Allied Health.

Carrington College

Address: 1001 W. Southern Ave., Suite 130
Mesa AZ 85210
Phone: (480) 734-2378
Website

Carrington College is a for-profit vocational school that focuses on practical, hands-on education in a variety of fields, including pharmacy technology. It has campuses all over the country, including one in Mesa, Arizona.

Because this is a private school focused on career development, students of all ages are welcome, including adults who are currently employed but want to change careers. Classes are offered on a flexible schedule and in a hybrid format, which means that some coursework is completed online while other coursework, such as lab work, is completed on campus. In addition, students must complete an externship with a local employer, which will be arranged by the college.

Financial aid in the form of traditional loans is available to help with program costs. The cost varies depending on a student’s personal circumstances and residency.

In order to be admitted to the Carrington College pharmacy technician program, which takes about ten months to complete, students must meet all registration requirements as outlined by the Arizona Board of Pharmacy and the PTCB.

In addition to being a PTCB approved training program, the Carrington College Pharmacy Technician Certificate is accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists.

Arizona College of Nursing

Address: 2510 W Dunlap Ave, Suite 290
Phoenix, AZ 85021
Phone: (855) 706-8382
Website

The prestigious Arizona College of Nursing offers education and training not just to future nurses but also to those interested in a range of other medical field careers, including pharmacy technology. Their ASHP accredited certificate program offers students of all ages the chance to gain an extensive knowledge of the profession, and the skills needed to pass the PTCE in 34 weeks of on campus study.

This is a flexible offering, as while classes must be completed on campus students can choose between day and evening schedules to better suit their personal needs. A mandatory externship with a local employer can also be arranged to fit around a student’s other commitments.

To be admitted to the program students must meet all the requirements for registration as a pharmacy tech as set out by the Arizona Board of Pharmacy, in addition to passing a basic skills test set by the school.

The cost of the program varies according to a student’s residence, income level and personal circumstances. More than 90% of program participants make use of traditional financial aid to fund their studies.

In addition to being ASHP accredited, the Arizona College of Nursing Pharmacy Technician program is also approved by both the PTCB and the Arizona Board of Pharmacy.

Gateway Community College

Address: 108 N 40th St,
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: (602) 286-8000
Website

Gateway Community College is a traditional community college that provides Mesa, Arizona residents with both traditional and vocational education at extremely low costs. Their Certificate of Competency in Pharmacy Technician may be an excellent choice for those interested in becoming a pharmacy technician.

The nine-month program is a full-time option aimed primarily at recent high school graduates and rising 12th-grade seniors. Tuition is calculated on an individual basis based on a student’s personal circumstances and residence.

Traditional federal and state financial aid, as well as a limited number of scholarships and grants, are available to those who qualify. Discounts may be available if you meet certain demographic requirements. Those who do not qualify for traditional financial aid may be able to obtain a student loan from a private lender such as Sallie Mae.

Students must meet a number of requirements, including academic minimum standards, in order to be admitted to the program. In addition to meeting all requirements for Arizona Pharmacy Technician registration they must maintain/have maintained a minimum 3.0 GPA in high school or achieved certain minimum GED reading, math, and computer technology scores

In addition to providing students with all the knowledge they need to pass the PTCE certification exam through classroom instruction, a 200-hour externship at a local retail pharmacy provides hands-on practical experience. Students can also complete additional prep and practice tests prior to graduation to help them prepare for – and pass – their certification exam.

Both the PTCB and the Arizona Board of Pharmacy have approved the Gateway Community College Certificate of Competency in Pharmacy Technician.

Medstar Academy

Address: 13760 N 93rd Ave Suite 202
Peoria, Arizona 85381
Phone: (623) 773-9000
Website

Medstar Academy is a private vocational school that offers career focused education to both new high school graduates and older working students.

Their 10 week Pharmacy technology program is offered in conjunction with the National Healthcareer Association and prepares students to take the NHA’s ExCPT certification test. It is not a program that is approved by the PTCB but it is accepted by the Arizona Board of Pharmacy.

The course, which is classroom based, is a cash only offering, which means that traditional financial aid is not available. The price of the course is set at $2,225 for tuition with an additional $1,000 in fees, including the cost of the ExCpt test, which students take upon graduation. Payment plans are available to help spread out the cost. Admission is open to any student who meets the registration requirements set by the Board of Pharmacy.

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