Get the Skills to Be a Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technician Training in as little as 12 Months*

Looking for a rewarding career in the healthcare field? Asher College’s Pharmacy Technician program gets you trained and on your path to a rewarding career through hands-on training and support from dedicated instructors.

Our Pharmacy Technician program is tailored to those students who require a flexible schedule to meet their education goals. You’ll be able to take classes during the day, evening, and even on the weekends.

The best way to see if Asher College is the right fit for you is to see it for yourself. You can tour our facilities and meet with both students and instructors. Book a Tour Now or Get More Info.

Becoming a Pharmacy Technician 

As a Pharmacy Technician, you’ll be integral to the success of any pharmacy. You’ll be responsible for helping licensed pharmacists fill and dispense medications prescribed to patients by medical professionals.

You don’t need extensive previous technical experience to pursue a career as a Pharmacy Technician. Asher College teaches this program at all of their campuses. Training for the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is included in your program and we also help graduates apply for their state pharmacy technician licenses.

If you’re passionate and enjoy helping people in the medical field, training to become a pharmacy technician may be the right option for you.

Learn more about your future career in healthcare today and see just how far you can go with Asher College.

*Program can be completed in 12 months at a twenty-four hour a week rate of pursuit.  

Next Start Dates

Pharmacy Technician Program Details

The Pharmacy Technician Program prepares you with a comprehensive set of skills necessary to become employable as a Pharmacy Technician. Once you have the skills and your license, you may find work in:

  • Hospitals
  • Nursing Homes
  • Retail Pharmacies (Drugstore Chains, Grocery Stores)
  • Insurance Companies
  • Mail-Order and Web-Based Pharmacies
  • Pharmaceutical Companies
  • Wholesalers
  • Government Agencies

Your job responsibilities will vary depending on the type of employment you secure. In most pharmacies, the Pharmacy Technician is the first point-of-contact for customers. You’ll establish and maintain patient record files, submit insurance claim forms, and manage prescription and over-the-counter medication inventories.

The Pharmacy Technician Program provides students with the career knowledge to:

  • Adhere to HIPAA, Federal and State regulations concerning confidentiality in the medical field
  • Fill prescriptions under the direct supervision of a pharmacist
  • Utilize software applications relevant to the pharmacy
  • Understand Brand and Generic Medications, as well as OTC-Over the Counter
  • Recognize the classifications of Drugs and scheduled drugs
  • Comprehend and perform Insurance procedures
  • Sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification exam (PTCE) proctored through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)

 

Certification & Associate Degree Options

This program has both certification and degree options. Students earning their associate degree will also take American Government, Business Communication, Business Math, Critical Thinking, Introduction to Business & Principles of Management. Asher accepts transfer credits. If you have taken any of these courses at another college, ask an Admissions Advisor to have your transcripts reviewed prior to enrollment. * Nevada Students are also required to take Nevada Constitution


Career Opportunities

With your skillset from Asher College, you can pursue a variety of pharmaceutical careers, and may find yourself working as a/an:

  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Pharmacy Clerk
  • Pharmacy Assistant
  • Medication Technician
  • Central Fill Technician
  • Insurance Representative

See the available job opportunities in your area

Dallas Las Vegas Sacramento


Here’s what you will learn in the Pharmacy Technician program:

MOE100 MS Essentials
Prerequisite(s): NA

Students will be able to perform essential functions in Word, Excel & Outlook. They will learn to navigate the software and create documents, workbooks, and emails while using Microsoft’s tools and short-cuts. Students identify features to open, navigate, edit and print documents in Word, format data in a spreadsheet and create formulas in Excel, and manage messages, tasks, and appointments in Outlook, resulting in the entry-level skills necessary to use these programs in the work environment.

TF100 Typing Fundamentals
Prerequisite(s): NA

Students will learn to type a minimum of 35 words per minute. They will learn keystroke fundamentals, keyboard by touch, and proper 10-key form.

HS202 Human Anatomy and Physiology
Prerequisite(s): HS201 Medical Terminology

Students will know the twelve main sections of the human anatomy including structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs. Students will understand physiological concepts and processes of the human body’s systems and the medical terminology necessary to perform proper diagnostic and procedure coding.

PHT111 Pharmacy Practice
Prerequisite(s): PHT100 Introduction to Pharmacy

Students will be able to understand contemporary pharmacy practice which includes community-based and health-system based pharmacy operations. It also explores the role of technology in the pharmacy and an overview of inventory management and insurance and third-party billing. It emphasizes a review of over-the-counter products and an introduction of non-sterile, or extemporaneous compounding, aseptic techniques and preparation of sterile products.

PHT111 Pharmacy Practice
Prerequisite(s): PHT100 Introduction to Pharmacy

Students will be able to understand contemporary pharmacy practice which includes community-based and health-system based pharmacy operations. It also explores the role of technology in the pharmacy and an overview of inventory management and insurance and third-party billing. It emphasizes a review of over-the-counter products and an introduction of non-sterile, or extemporaneous compounding, aseptic techniques and preparation of sterile products.

CD201 Advanced Career Development
Prerequisite(s): Students must have completed 80% of their program.

Students will be able to search for a job within their field of study, conduct themselves professionally in a job interview and provide a resume tailored to each job position applied for. This course is designed for three particular points of views; those looking to change careers, those looking to advance their career and those who are entrepreneurs and want to start their own business. Career Services will put your career goals first, it is time you did as well.

PHT202 Pharmacology
Prerequisite(s): PHT111 Pharmacy Practice

Students will be able to comprehend pharmacology, including anatomy and physiology. Content includes a review of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology by body system, related to the skin, the eyes and ears, the gastrointestinal system, the musculoskeletal system, the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, the immune system, the renal system, the endocrine system, the reproductive system, and the nervous system.

PHT211 Pharmacy Calculations
Prerequisite(s): PHT202 Pharmacology

Students will be able to properly perform pharmacy and dosage calculations. It includes a review of basic math skills necessary to perform advanced pharmacy calculations, an overview of the various systems of measurement applicable in pharmacy practice, dosage calculations, concentration and dilutions, alligations, parenteral preparations and introduction to business math.

PHT310 Pharmacy Laboratory Skills
Prerequisite(s): PHT211 Pharmacy Calculations

Students will be able to develop and practice pharmacy technician skills with hands-on opportunities in a simulated pharmacy environment. The course deals with the proper interpretation of the prescription and medication orders, pharmacy application software (Apothesoft-Rx Software), drug information, Rx and DEA schedule, storage requirements, drug alternatives, special patient information, compounding and proper dispensing of drugs and medicines, workplace safety and infection control, and strategies to prevent medication errors.

PHT311 Pharmacy Externship
Prerequisite(s): PHT310 Pharmacy Laboratory Skills

Students will be able to develop their pharmacy skills in a practical or working pharmacy field environment under professional supervision. It provides students with opportunities to apply professional skills learned in the classroom since they will directly interact with clients/patients and other health care professionals. A licensed or staff pharmacist or pharmacy manager evaluates the student’s performance at the site.

CS101 Career Success
Prerequisite(s): NA

Student will be able to maximize their potential by being mindful of how self-talk impacts their habits, attitude, beliefs and expectations. Students also learn strategies to eliminate procrastination and achieve goals. Each student will complete a DISC profile to better understand their preferred communication style, how it relates to their own personal and professional development and how their DiSC style relates to others.

CD201 Advanced Career Development
Prerequisite(s): Students must have completed 80% of their program.

Students will be able to search for a job within their field of study, conduct themselves professionally in a job interview and provide a resume tailored to each job position applied for. This course is designed for three particular points of views; those looking to change careers, those looking to advance their career and those who are entrepreneurs and want to start their own business. Career Services will put your career goals first, it is time you did as well.

Additional Courses Needed for Degree

GE101 Critical Thinking*
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

Students will be able to comprehend, analyze, and create inductive and deductive arguments. This course presents a variety of topics essential to a student’s development in critical thinking in addition to arguments, such as informal fallacies, modes of persuasion, perspective and bias, language and meaning, culminating in the development of reasonable strategies for belief formation. *This is an elective course. Students may substitute for GE107 Introduction to Psychology.

GE102 Business Communication
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

Students will be able to develop all types of business communication including letters, memos, electronic communication, written reports, oral presentations, and interpersonal communication. The course also includes topics of resumes, application letters, interviewing tips, and employment follow-up documents.

GE103 Business Math
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

Students will be able to apply math fundamentals to business applications.  Topics include a basic math review, business statistics, profit calculations, payroll, banking, interest calculations, insurance, taxes, and other business topics.

GE104 Introduction to Business
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

Students will be able to understand business in an increasingly global society with an introduction to business terminology, concepts, environments, systems, strategies, and current issues. Topics include an overview of the business environment, business ethics, entrepreneurship, global business, management, marketing, production, information systems, and financial elements of business.

GE105 Principles of Management*
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

Students will be able to apply effective management principles to today’s dynamic business environment. Students will gain an understanding of the Principles of Management within the dimensions of the planning-organizing-leading-controlling (P-O-L-C) framework. Topics include roles of personality and values in determining work behaviors, setting goals and objectives, and communication within organizations. In addition, students will define organizational culture, structure, and change while examining the role of strategic human resource management (SHRM). *This is an elective course. Students may substitute for GE108 Leadership.

GE106 American Government
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

Students will be able to understand the intricacies of the Constitution, the complexities of federalism, the meanings of civil liberties, and the conflicts over civil rights. This course explains how people are socialized to politics, acquire and express opinions, and participate in political life; describes interest groups, political parties, and elections—the intermediaries that link people to government and politics; details the branches of government and how they operate; and shows how policies are made and affect people’s lives. Nevada Students also take a Nevada Constitution course.

GE107 Introduction to Psychology*
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

Students will be able to intelligently discuss intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and understand theories of motivation proposed for instincts, drive reduction, self-efficacy, and social motives. In this course, students will learn about the history and understand the score of study in the field of industrial and organizational psychology. *This is an elective course. Students may substitute for GE101 Critical Thinking.

GE108 Leadership*
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

Students will be able to understand and apply leadership’s crucial skill areas; those related to the foundational elements, conceptual elements, human elements, technical elements, and political elements of effective leadership. Students will hone their skill bases in these areas through assessing their own level of competence in each skill and practicing the skills to improve their leadership effectiveness. * This is an elective course. Students may substitute for GE105 Principles of Management.

Asher College Locations

Asher College has 3 accredited campus locations in Nevada, Texas, and California. Each of our campuses provides a unique learning experience, helping you become a career-ready professional. Explore your career options today!

Dallas Campus

Las Vegas Campus

Sacramento Campus

Not Sure if You’re Ready for Career Training? Find Out!
Take the Asher College “Career Training Readiness Quiz”

This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete, and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.

Get your Career Training Readiness Score

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By partnering with PioneerRx Pharmacy Software, our program allows students to learn in a real-world environment using the most installed software for independent pharmacies. Students enhance their clinical and functional skills by training in a pharmacy system that is innovative, robust, and feature-rich.

By partnering with PioneerRx Pharmacy Software, our program allows students to learn in a real-world environment using the most installed software for independent pharmacies. Students enhance their clinical and functional skills by training in a pharmacy system that is innovative, robust, and feature-rich.

The Pharmacy Technician program in Dallas, Las Vegas and Sacramento have been approved by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)/Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).

Build Career Success Skills

Your time at Asher won’t just be devoted to learning the technical skills of your chosen profession — we also prepare you for the job search with interview tactics, communication skills, resume preparation, and cover letter writing.

An Asher College instructor will work with you one-on-one to develop these skills so that you’ll feel confident about pursuing your career once you graduate.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid: Funding Your Career Training

We offer Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Veteran training benefits. Our Financial Aid administrators and VA School Certifying Officials will work with you to find the best financial solution to fit your needs. Financial Aid is available for those who qualify. To learn more, visit our Financial Aid page.

Veterans Education Benefits: Asher College is rated as a Military Friendly® school. For over 15 years, Viqtory Media’s ranking of Military Friendly® schools has helped veterans take their education into their own hands when choosing which schools afford them the best opportunities. Military Benefits Accepted at Asher College include Chapter 31, 33, and 35. To learn more, visit our Veterans Education benefits page.

Student who enroll in the Pharmacy Technician certification or degree program must be able pass both a background and drug test. Requirements vary by state and are discussed prior to enrollment. Please speak to an Admissions advisor if you have questions or concerns.