What Do Registered Pharmacy Technicians Do?

Certified Pharmacy Technician

Mississippi State University's Certified Pharmacy Technician program will help you gain the knowledge you need to make an impact in the medical field and master the skills required to sit for the PTCB National Certification Exam. If you are looking for a career in one of today's top professions enroll today and earn an entry-level position as a pharmacy technician.

Program At a Glance

Career Area: Health Care

Ideal for: Individuals interested in working in the healthcare field and/or becoming a pharmacy technician

Average Salary in Mississippi: $28,000+ annually

Average Salary in U.S.: $32,000+ annually

Job Outlook: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for pharmacy technicians will grow by 12% through 2028 – that equates to over 30,000 new jobs!

Program Format: Online via partnership with ed2go

Program Length: Self-paced; students have 12 months to complete the course after enrolling

Tuition Cost: $2,495 - Financial assistance is available

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What Does a Certified Pharmacy Technician Do?

Pharmacy technicians work under pharmacists, fulfilling several important duties. They are responsible for distributing prescription and nonprescription medications and providing patients with important information regarding their medicine. They may also be responsible for putting orders together, supervising other staff members, and managing the dispensary. Overall, Pharmacy Technicians play a critical role in ensuring patients have the proper medications needed for long-term good health.

About the Certified Pharmacy Technician Program

When you complete Mississippi State University's online Pharmacy Technician Program you'll gain the skills required to excel in a hospital or retail setting as a Pharmacy Technician. You'll be prepared to sit for the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), and receive hand's-on practice in retail pharmacy procedures through an online lab module, applying what you have learned to fill mock prescriptions. This course will teach you medical and pharmaceutical terminology, basic anatomy related to the pharmacology of medications, and pharmaceutical calculations. The curriculum also includes the ethics of pharmacy practice and education about prescription medications, patient care and interaction, and charges and reimbursement.

Pharmacy Externship

As a student in the Pharmacy Technician program, you will be required to complete a Virtual Externship and have the option to perform an actual hands-on 100-hour clinical externship. To qualify for a 100-hour hands-on externship, you'll have to pass a drug screening test, obtain professional liability insurance, complete a background check and employment verification, meet current immunization standards, conform with and complete any state mandates such as registration, fingerprinting, licensing etc. NOTE: An externship is not guaranteed. You must apply to the externship program and complete the prerequisite criteria before being accepted. Positions in the externship program are contingent on availability at pharmacy locations. You may also arrange your own externship at any retail or hospital facility.

What You Will Learn

The federal and state laws that govern pharmacy, as well as the ethics of pharmacy practice.
HIPAA requirements and their application to pharmacy.
How to interpret physician orders and prescriptions.
Techniques required to order, stock, package, prepare, and distribute medications.
Definitions of medical and pharmaceutical terms and common abbreviations.
The pharmacology of medications in relation to the anatomy affected.
How to perform pharmaceutical calculations.
How to process insurance billing and collect payments.
How to communicate successfully with patients and medical professionals.

How You Will Benefit

After successfully completing your course, you'll receive access to the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) practice tests to help you study for your certification exam.
Jump start your career towards working as a Pharmacy Aide, Pharmacy Technician, Certified Pharmacy Technician, Health Technician/Technologist, Medical Laboratory Technician, Medical Records Clerk/Technician, or a Nursing Assistant.
You will get hands-on practice in retail pharmacy procedures through an online lab module, applying what you've learned to fill mock prescriptions.
You will have the opportunity to apply for a 100+ hour externship.

"I just wanted to thank all of you for your course

and the help you gave me throughout. I just passed

my certification yesterday and I am looking

forward to the future as a Pharmacy Technician." -J.H.

What You Receive When You Complete the Program?

Upon successfully completing the course, you'll be awarded a certificate of completion from Mississippi State University. In addition, you will receive an exam voucher to sit for the National Certification Exam which is the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), offered by Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). You can learn more about the Pharmacy Technician Board Exam at: https://www.ptcb.org/

As a pharmacy technician, you play an important role in ensuring patients
have the proper medications needed for long-term good health.

Ready to Enroll

Admission to the Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program is open to any interested student with a high school diploma or equivalent. You must be proficient in keyboarding, have a basic understanding of a word processing computer program (Microsoft Word recommended), and have a command of English grammar and punctuation. It is also recommended that you have a basic understanding of high school math including percents and proportions at the algebra level. No healthcare or medical office work experience is required.

Mississippi State University's Pharmacy Technician program is an open enrollment program. You can enroll and start the program at any time.

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Common Questions

WHAT DOES A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN DO?

Pharmacy technicians order and stock medications, prepare medications for distribution and provide information to patients. Pharmacy technicians may perform many of the same duties as a pharmacist; however, their work must be approved by a pharmacist before medication can be dispensed.

DO PHARMACY TECHNICIANS NEED A CERTIFICATION?

Requirements for pharmacy technicians vary by state, but most require certification, registration or licensure. Earning your certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) provides a valuable, industry-recognized credential that meets most states' requirements. Mississippi does require pharmacy technicians to be nationally certified.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN COURSE?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive twelve (12) months to complete the course.This does not include the time you spend in an externship program or preparing and sitting for state licensure.

IS A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN A GOOD CAREER?

As the population ages and the prevalence of chronic diseases rises, more pharmacy technicians will be needed in pharmacies and may even see themselves taking on greater responsibilities in their role.

WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT WILL I RECEIVE?

You will be assigned a team of instructors and receive one-on-one course interaction. You can reach out to your team of instructors by email for answers to questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our instructors are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach. You will also be assigned to an Advisor for academic support.

DO I HAVE TO BE ADMITTED TO MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY TO ENROLL IN THIS PROGRAM?

No, you do not have to be an admitted student to Mississippi State University to enroll in this program. Our online non-credit advanced career training programs are open to all.

WHEN CAN I START THE PROGRAM?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

CAN I GET FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA or Pell Grant. Financing is available through other private, military, and government funding options.Learn more about financial assistance .

HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROGRAM?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, You can call us at 1-662-325-5002 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.

We hope this information provided answers all your questions about becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician, but if not, please get in touch.