HEALTHCARE
BECOME A CERTIFIED
Institutional Pharmacy Technician
"Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity."
— Hippocrates
Program Start:
April 14, 2025
Program Duration:
6 Month
PAY SNAPSHOT
2023 Median National Annual Pay
$47,940
2023 Top Decile National Annual Pay
$57,130
6 Month Advertised Salary Growth
-1%
12 Month Advertised Salary Growth
2%
What Is An Institutional Pharmacy Technician?
An Institutional Pharmacy Technician works under the direction of a licensed pharmacist to manage inventory and dispense prescription medications. Their responsibilities include administrative and technical tasks to maintain the pharmacy in a hospital, nursing home, or specialized healthcare setting, ensuring compliance and patient safety. Institutional Pharmacy Technicians are often required to be certified through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
NOW ENROLLING NEAR PITTSBURGH, PA
What Could I Earn?
National median annual pay (2023) for pharmacy technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows
How Do I Become An Institutional Pharmacy Technician?
Becoming a Institutional Pharmacy Technician requires a combination of education, hands-on experience, and technical skill. These can typically be acquired through a trade school or vocational program, community college, or 4-year university, depending on the breadth of knowledge and experience required. A short curriculum may read as follows:
Anatomy, Physiology & Medical Terminology
Students will learn medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology for all major body systems. They will understand disease processes, treatments, and medical vocabulary, including prefixes, suffixes, and root words. This knowledge will help them interpret prescriptions, communicate effectively with healthcare professionals, and understand pathology and diagnostics related to pharmacy practice.
Pharmacy Lab, Mathematics & Technology
Students will develop essential skills in pharmaceutical compounding, sterile and non-sterile preparations, and medication calculations. They will gain hands-on experience with prescription processing, inventory management, automation technologies, and pharmacy software. Mathematical competencies include unit conversions, dosage calculations, infusion rates, insurance billing, and inventory cost analysis.
Pharmacology & Pharmacy Techniques
Students will study drug classifications, mechanisms of action, interactions, and therapeutic uses. They will learn about commonly dispensed medications, prescription processing, medication safety, pharmacy laws, quality assurance, and ethical considerations. This coursework prepares students for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and provides a foundation for medication therapy management.
Professional & Workplace Skills
Students will build essential workplace skills, including computer literacy, professional communication, and customer service. They will refine job search strategies, resume writing, and interview techniques to transition into the workforce. Emphasis is placed on professionalism, stress management, problem-solving, and effective interaction with patients and coworkers.
Externship, Internship & Early Experience
Students will gain practical experience in a community/retail pharmacy setting, applying their skills in medication dispensing, customer service, and pharmacy operations. This hands-on training prepares them for professional roles and reinforces the knowledge and skills acquired in coursework.
Students learn medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology for all body systems. Training covers disease processes, treatments, prescriptions, and communication in pharmacy practice.
Students study drug classifications, interactions, and therapeutic uses. Training covers prescription processing, safety, laws, and ethics, preparing them for certification exams.
Students develop workplace skills in communication, computer literacy, and customer service. Training includes job search strategies, resume writing, interview prep, and stress management.
Students develop skills in pharmaceutical compounding, sterile prep, and medication calculations. Training includes prescription processing, inventory management, and pharmacy software.
Students gain real-world experience in pharmacy operations, medication dispensing, and customer service. This hands-on training prepares them for professional pharmacy roles.
What Could I Earn?
National median annual pay (2023) for pharmacy technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows
$48,270
Ambulatory healthcare services
$47,940
Hospitals; state, local, and private
$44,500
General merchandise retailers
$37,420
Grocery and specialty food retailers
$37,370
Pharmacies and drug retailers
What Skills Are Important?
Pharmacy Technician
Medical Prescription
# of Trailing 5 Month Job Postings:
90,533
Medical prescription is a specialized skill that involves writing prescriptions based on a patient’s history, condition, and factors like age, allergies, and drug interactions. Physicians must know drug properties, dosage, effects, and side effects while effectively communicating instructions and precautions.
Customer Service
# of Trailing 5 Month Job Postings:
75,808
Customer service is essential across industries, involving clear communication to address customer needs, resolve issues, and provide prompt, professional support. Key traits include patience, empathy, and product knowledge, fostering satisfaction, loyalty, and lasting relationships.
Certified Pharmacy Technician
# of Trailing 5 Month Job Postings:
67,988
Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) is a certification that confirms an individuals' knowledge in assisting pharmacists with dispensing medications and related tasks. Recognized by employers and regulators, it validates skills and is often required for roles in pharmacies and healthcare settings.
Inventory Management
# of Trailing 5 Month Job Postings:
42,234
Inventory managementis a specialized skill that involves tracking and organizing goods, monitoring stock, ordering, and ensuring proper storage. It minimizes waste, reduces costs, and ensures availability, requiring strategic planning, analytical skills, and attention to detail.
Communication
# of Trailing 5 Month Job Postings:
38,017
Communication is the skill of conveying information clearly and collaborating effectively. It simplifies complex ideas for diverse audiences, fostering understanding, problem-solving, and cooperation in personal, academic, and professional settings.
How Are Job Postings Trending?
Pharmacy Technician
What Industries Are Experiencing Growth?
Pharmacy Technician
Health and Personal Care Retailers
15,479
Postings
43%
Change from last year
General Merchandise Retailers
5,341
Postings
1064%
Change from last year
Hospitals
3,973
Postings
11%
Change from last year
Food and Beverage Retailers
3,057
Postings
41%
Change from last year
Ambulatory Health Care Services
2,836
Postings
6%
Change from last year
Administrative and Support Services
1,659
Postings
-39%
Change from last year
Insurance Carriers and Related Activities
1,032
Postings
-47%
Change from last year
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
1,002
Postings
338%
Change from last year
Educational Services
668
Postings
29%
Change from last year
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
468
Postings
25%
Change from last year
What Industries Are Experiencing Growth?
Pharmacy Technician
Top Companies
Where Are The Top Companies Hiring?
Pharmacy Technician
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