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Pharmacy Technician

Are you interested in a career in the medical field? Are you comfortable in both an administrative and a clinical role? If you are interested in joining one of the healthcare field’s most rapidly growing sectors, a career as a Pharmacy Technician could be a great choice for you!

With High Desert Medical College’s Hybrid, Hands-on, and Online courses, you can get the training you need for this rewarding healthcare career in as few as 34 weeks!

Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program

At High Desert Medical College, our Pharmacy Technician training program is designed to prepare students for a pharmacy career in the health care industry. Pharmacy technicians are responsible for helping licensed pharmacists, by assisting in measuring, mixing, counting, labeling, and recording the correct dosages of prescription medications. Pharmacy Technicians are also responsible for establishing and maintaining patient record files, submitting insurance claim forms, and managing prescription and over-the-counter medication inventories. This 34-week program provides students with intensive training to learn the skills needed for entry-level employment as Pharmacy Technicians, and students receive real-world on-the-job experience through an Externship.

Students in the Pharmacy Technician program learn the skills to:

  • Fill prescriptions under the direct supervision of a pharmacist
  • Utilize relevant software applications
  • Recognize the classifications of drugs and scheduled drugs
  • Understand brand, generic, and OTC (over the counter) medications
  • Adhere to HIPAA privacy regulations
  • Comprehend and perform insurance procedures

Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion, Pharmacy Technician Certificate, and receive their California state licensure from the Board of Pharmacy.*

Pharmacy Technicians hold jobs with career opportunities in retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, pharmacy laboratories, compounding pharmacies, and as pharmaceutical sales representatives.

*Licensing by the California State Board of Pharmacy requires fingerprinting, criminal background check, and official High School/GED transcripts to be submitted with the State Board of Pharmacy application. This process may take 45 days to process after graduating from the program.

PT Program Courses Include

  • Intro to Pharmacy
  • Drug Fundamentals
  • Pharmacy Operations
  • Career Development
  • Clinical Externship

PT Program Overview

  • Total Weeks in Program: 34 Weeks – Morning/Afternoon classes | 42 Weeks – Evening classes
  • Semester Credit Hours: 35
  • Total Clock Hours: 780
  • Classroom Hours: 620
  • Clinical Externship Hours: 160
  • Teacher/Student ratio: Class 1/35 Lab 1/25
  • Student will receive a Certificate of Completion

Click to View the PHR Flyer

FAQs about High Desert Medical College’s Pharmacy Technician Program

A pharmacy technician assists pharmacists by preparing medications, managing inventory, handling prescriptions, processing insurance, and helping customers, ensuring safe, efficient pharmacy operations in retail, hospital, or clinical settings.

HDMC’s Pharmacy Technician program can be completed in as few as 34 weeks (morning/afternoon program) or 42 weeks (evening program).

HDMC’s Pharmacy Technician program is offered in a hybrid-online format. Students learn classroom theory online, while completing hands-on training in on-campus labs. All students also gain valuable experience through an externship.

Many of High Desert Medical College’s Pharmacy Technician graduates go to work in retail pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, mail-order pharmacies, and pharmaceutical companies. Our Career Services department provides every student with a wide range of career support services and comprehensive job placement assistance.

In High Desert Medical College’s Pharmacy Technician program, you’ll gain real-world skills, including how to fill prescriptions, utilize relevant medical software, recognize the classifications of drugs and scheduled drugs, understand brand, generic, and over the counter (OTC) medications, adhere to HIPAA privacy regulations, and comprehend and perform insurance procedures. Our hands-on training prepares you for the tasks employers are hiring for, so you can step confidently into your healthcare career. Our Career Services department also provides every student with a wide range of support services and job placement assistance.

Graduates of the Pharmacy Technician program receive a Certificate of Completion, Pharmacy Technician diploma and are eligible to apply for the California state licensure from the Board of Pharmacy.* Graduates of HDMC’s program are also prepared to test for the industry-recognized Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)

*Licensing by the California State Board of Pharmacy requires fingerprinting, criminal background check, and official High School/GED transcripts to be submitted with the State Board of Pharmacy application. This process may take up to 45 days to complete after graduating from the program; a criminal background may delay the process.

To enroll, you’ll need a high school diploma or a GED. Don’t have your diploma yet? No problem – High Desert Medical College offers two high school completion programs to help you get started. Submit an interest form, stop by your closest campus, or call 888-633-4362 to get in contact with our admissions team.