Why Train for a Career as a Pharmacy Technician?

High Desert Medical College Can Train You for a Pharmacy Technician Career!

Are you interested in a career in the healthcare field? Have you considered training for a career as a pharmacy technician? If you are interested in training for a career in a growing sector of the healthcare field, High Desert Medical College offers a Pharmacy Technician training program that can prepare you to become a certified Pharmacy Technician in as few as 34 weeks! 

What Is a Pharmacy Technician?

Pharmacy technicians are the health professionals who keep the pharmaceutical system running smoothly. Responsible for primarily administrative tasks, the pharmacy technician’s job can be challenging, but also highly rewarding. They establish and maintain patient record files, submit insurance claim forms, and manage prescription and over-the-counter medication inventories.

What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?

As a pharmacy technician, your job responsibilities may include:

• Filling prescriptions under the direct supervision of a pharmacist
• Utilizing software applications relevant to the pharmacy
• Understanding brand-name and generic medications, as well as OTC (Over-the-Counter) medications
•  Understanding classifications of drugs and scheduled drugs
• Adherence to HIPAA, Federal, and State regulations concerning confidentiality in the medical field

What Skills Should I Have for a Career as a Pharmacy Technician?

The pharmacy technician is usually the first point-of-contact for customers, and so must have excellent interpersonal skills and excel in customer service. A pharmacy technician often acts as a point of communication between the medical team and the patient, so good communication skills are absolutely vital for a pharmacy technician. In addition, pharmacy technicians should also be very organized, have the ability to multitask, and be able to work both independently and as part of a team.

Where Do Pharmacy Technicians Work?

Pharmacy technicians are employed across the country, and graduates of pharmacy technician programs such as the one offered at High Desert Medical College may find work in hospitals, nursing homes, retail pharmacies, insurance companies, mail-order and web-based pharmacies, long-term care facilities, pharmaceutical companies, wholesalers, or government agencies.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS 2024), employment for pharmacy technicians is projected to continue to grow at a steady rate of 7% over the coming decade, adding about 33,300 new jobs to the U.S. economy.

Where Can I Train for a Career as a Pharmacy Technician?

High Desert Medical College (HDMC) offers a Pharmacy Technician diploma program designed to prepare graduates for certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). HDMC is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) and is licensed by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). HDMC’s Pharmacy Technician program is available at all three HDMC campuses: Lancaster, Temecula, and Bakersfield.

What Will I Learn in HDMC’s Pharmacy Technician Program?

At HDMC, pharmacy technician students learn how to recognize the classifications of drugs and scheduled drugs, understand brand, generic, and OTC (over-the-counter) medications, adhere to HIPAA privacy regulations, utilize relevant software applications, fill prescriptions under the direct supervision of a pharmacist, and comprehend and perform insurance procedures.

Will I Receive Hands-On Training at HDMC?

Yes! All students in HDMC’s Pharmacy Technician program complete an externship at a community pharmacy. Through the externship placement, students receive supervised instructional skills training and gain practical experience as they are able to develop their pharmacy skills in a practical or working pharmacy field environment under professional supervision. Students have the opportunity to apply professional skills learned in the classroom as they directly interact with clients/patients and other health care professionals.

How Long Is HDMC’s Pharmacy Technician Program, and What Will I Get When I Graduate?

At HDMC, the Pharmacy Technician program is achievable in as few as 34 weeks! Upon completion of the program, graduates will receive a Certificate of Completion, Pharmacy Technician Diploma. Graduates will be prepared to test for the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and will receive their California state licensure from the Board of Pharmacy.*

Ready to Get Started on Your Way to a Pharmacy Technician Career!?

If you are ready to get started on your way to a career in this growing sector of the healthcare field, contact HDMC today! With High Desert Medical College, you will receive hands-on, practical instruction, under the guidance of professional faculty with true industry experience. Students benefit from our flexible schedules, limited class sizes, and a career services department that offers comprehensive career placement assistance. If you are ready to pursue a career as a pharmacy technician, contact HDMC today!