Pharmacy Technician Schools and Programs in North Carolina

With a fairly large population, the elderly more dependent on prescription medications, an increase in the incidence of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, along with a host of new drugs coming on the market regularly, the need for pharmacy technicians is on the rise in North Carolina. The average pharmacy technician salary in North Carolina is $30,450 per year, which is 7.89% lower than the national average. There are about 18 schools offering pharmacy technician training courses in NC. Out of the 18 schools, we have ranked 10 best ASHP accredited pharmacy technician schools in NC that have earned the repute of delivering consistent academic results and nurturing the career goals of its students.

#2. Fayetteville Technical Community College - Fayetteville

Fayetteville Technical Community College is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. It is the fourth largest community college in North Carolina and its Continuing Education department is one of the largest. The college is known to use technology in an innovative way and the same has been applauded by the Digital Community Colleges Survey. The college provides an enriching campus life with 40 of its clubs and organizations, organizing intramural sports and various cultural events. The diploma and associate degree program in Pharmacy Technology offered by the college is designed to teach students to prepare medications, maintain student profiles, gather data used by the pharmacists to monitor drug therapy, prepare medications and mix intravenous solutions. Graduates are eligible to take the PTCB exam.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Length: 3 semesters for the diploma and 5 semesters for the associate degree

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#3. Davidson County Community College - Thomasville

Davidson County Community College is located at Thomasville. One of the chief features of the college is their caring faculty and staff. Their dedicated work and devotion make your journey challenging as well as worthwhile. The staff involved in research, planning and modernization at the college focus solely on student success. The college has completed 55 years; and it continues to grow - with state-of-the-art classrooms, including new Macintosh-based computer, advanced manufacturing, and automotive laboratories. Pharmacy Technician course-work gets you ready to directly apply your knowledge to a work setting through a combination of theory and hands-on training experiences. The pharmacy technician program consists of - anatomy, physiology, first aid, pharmacy laws and ethics, drug interactions, and computers and an internship to give you real-time experience.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Length: 9 to 12 months for the Certificate Program and up to 2 years for Associate Degree Program

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#4. Guilford Technical Community College - Jamestown

Founded in 1958, Guilford Technical Community College is a public community college in the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina. The college was founded with the purpose of increasing technical skills and creating an industry ready work force, which it still strives relentlessly to pursue. Aspiring pharmacy technician students can choose from the diploma and associate degree on pharmacy technology that the college offers. Thiscourse prepares students to dispense and prepare medication, maintain patient profile, process insurance forms, perform clerical duties, including entering patient data. Guilford Technical Community College ranks third out of the 58 community colleges in North Carolina enrolling more than 40,000 students.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Length: 3 semester for diploma and 6 semesters for the degree

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#5. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College - Asheville

Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College was established in 1959 and is located in Asheville, North Carolina. The college continuously strives to deliver quality education, preparing a workforce that is ready to take on the job market. A dedicated faculty and engaging environment makes it conducive for learning to happen. African-American students can avail financial aid from the Haith-Miller Scholarship program, established at the college. The college offers an Associate and a Diploma in Pharmacy Technology where students will learn to prepare prescription medications, mix intravenous solutions and other specialized medications, update patient profiles, maintain inventories, package medications in unit-dose and gather data used to monitor drug therapy.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Length: 71 credit hours for the associate degree and 45 credit hours for the diploma program.

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#6. Forsyth Technical Community College - Winston-Salem

Situated in Winston-Salem, the Forsyth Technical College has been serving the citizens of Forsyth and Stokes counties since 1960. Forsyth Technical Community College has a wonderful reputation amongst community colleges throughout the country for good quality education and service. They provide guided academic pathways into an aggressive workforce for the community as well as global economy. They are devoted to academia and student success. They recognize and fulfill the vital role of providing employers with an educated and adept workforce. They help broaden community development and provide students with the education and skills necessary to be good citizens. The college offers rich opportunities and ground-breaking learning environments for each student to excel. The pharmacy technician course-work consists of - anatomy, physiology, pharmacy math, first aid, pharmacy laws, and computers.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Length: 9 to 12 months for the Certificate Program and up to 2 years for Associate Degree Program

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#7. Wake Technical Community College - Raleigh

Located in Raleigh, Wake Tech is North Carolina's biggest community college. Wake Tech's mission is to enrich and enhance lives by providing education, training and workforce development needs of the community it serves. Its aim is to encourage individual success, enhance entrepreneurship as well as promote economic, cultural and social development. The college provides students with a safe, stimulating and dynamic learning environment. They provide opportunities to develop and upgrade for lifelong learning and career success through accessible, flexible and customized syllabi.The pharmacy technician program comprises of - Pharmaceutical Calculations, Pharmacy Fundamentals, Principles of Dispensing Medications, Principles of Sterile Medication Preparations, Pharmacology , Pharmacy Practicum, and Advance Pharmacy Principles.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Length: 9 to 12 months for the Certificate Program and up to 2 years for Associate Degree Program

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#8. Durham Technical Community College - Durham

Durham Technical Community College is a public two-year higher education institution located in Durham, North Carolina.The college is known to provide quality and affordable technical and career education to its students since its inception in 1961. Its graduates have excelled in whatever they have pursued to do, be it getting on to a job or transferring to institutions in the UNC System. The college offers a diploma and an associate degree in Pharmacy Technology. Both these courses prepare students to dispense and prepare medication, maintain patient profile, process insurance forms, perform clerical duties, including entering patient data.The Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) provides academic support to students with face-to-face and online tutoring services, enabling them to achieve academic success.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Length: 3 semester for diploma and 6 semesters for the degree

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#9. Cape Fear Community College - Wilmington

Situated in Wilmington, the Cape Fear Community College is devoted to providing top-notch workforce training and superlative higher education for students in the New Hanover and Pender counties. The college provides a host of training as well as continuing education courses for lifelong learning. Their programs have gained an excellent repute amongst the local healthcare community by earning a startling 100% pass rate on their respective certification exams every year. CFCC offers hands-on experience guided by a team of qualified instructors. The job market for CFCC graduates is outstanding. The course-work includes - physiology, anatomy, first aid, pharmacy laws and ethics, medical abbreviations, pharmacy math, and computers.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Length: 9 to 12 months for the Certificate Program and up to 2 years for Associate Degree Program

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#10. Central Piedmont Community College - Charlotte

Located in Charlotte, the Central Piedmont Community College is a pioneering and wide-ranging college which promotes life-long learning consistent with the students' requirements, interests, and abilities, whilst intensifying the economic, cultural and social life of its community. CPCC has been a part of the Charlotte landscape for more than 50 years. The College offers first-class pre-baccalaureate and career-focused programs and services which are monetarily accessible. The college creates an environment which makes students learn and discover for themselves. It assists students to form and participate in combined learning activities.Central Piedmont offers a certificate and an associate degree in pharmacy technology. The syllabus for the pharmacy technician program includes - anatomy, physiology, pharmacy laws and ethics, medical abbreviations, pharmacy terminology, pharmacy math, and computers.

Accreditation: ASHP

Program Length: 9 to 12 months for the Certificate Program and up to 2 years for Associate Degree Program

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Southeastern Institute - Charlotte

The Southeastern Institute located in Charlotte prides itself on having dedicated teachers with wide-ranging, real-world experience in the fields in which they teach. Small classes ensure personalized attention for each student. Southern Institute offers a 10-month certificate program in pharmacy technology to prepare you for an entry level position as a pharmacy technician. You will be trained to assist the pharmacist in preparation and distribution of drugs. If you plan to attend part-time then this program will take you 18 months to complete. Part time students will need to make themselves available during the day do complete their internship. Course-work consists of - anatomy, physiology, first aid, pharmacy laws and ethics, drug interactions, medical abbreviations, and computers.

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Wayne Community College - Goldsboro

Wayne Community College (WCC) located in Goldsboro has been around for more than 50 years and follows an open-door admission policy. WCC currently is offering a 12-month diploma program for students interested in pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician. You will be trained to dispense medication, manage inventory and process insurance claims. Coursework includes core subjects like pharmacy math, pharmacy ethics, and pharmaceutical terminology. After graduation you can find employment in hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and long - term care pharmacies.

Programs Currently on Hold or Discontinued

Virginia College - Greensboro

Virginia college offers a 36 weeks pharmacy technician program at its campus in Greensboro, NC. This program will train you to work in a chain drug store, hospital, drug manufacturer and health care facility. Key highlights of this program include: hands-on training by experienced instructors, flexibility of online and on campuses courses, an externship where you will gain real world experience and a pharmacy lab providing real world experience with prescription bottles, labels, pharmacy computers and cash registers. The career development specialist at the college will help you with job placements. The coursework in this program will prepare you well to sit for the pharmacy technician certification examination.

What are the Requirements to work as a Pharmacy Technician in NC?

Pharmacy technicians in North Carolina are regulated by the state. You need to be registered with the North Carolina Board Pharmacy to practice as a pharmacy technician. Registration is mandatory within a period of 30 days of employment with a pharmacy. A training program conducted by the pharmacist at the place of employment is necessary.

Education

Step 1: Obtain a high school diploma or GED.

Step 2: The state mandates that the pharmacist must provide a training program to the pharmacy technicians. Training should be completed in a time interval of 180 days of employment.

On the other hand, in case you decide to attend a pharmacy technician training school, ensure that it is recognized by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).

Certification: Presently, certification is not required in the state of North Carolina. Conversely, getting a certification boosts your chances of landing a job, as well as promises you a higher income. The PTCB certification is approved in North Carolina. You appear for the PTCB examination by self study or by attending a Diploma or Associate degree program at a college.

Licensure: Pharmacy techs working in North Carolina need to get a license. The license needs to be renewed annually, every December 31 with a fee of $30.

Prerequisites for licensure:

• High school diploma or its equivalent

• Complete training at the pharmacy under the administration of the pharmacist-in-charge within 180 days.

• Submit pharmacy technician registration to the North Carolina State Board of Pharmacy.

• Submit a passport type photo

• Submit a fee of $30

Choosing the Right School in North Carolina

Deciding which school is ideal for you can be rather challenging. With quite a lot of schools in the state providing pharmacy technician training, it is for you to figure out what takes precedence for you. These criteria will make things clearer:

Accreditation: Accreditation makes sure that the school strictly adheres to legal and professional standards; hence, it is prudent to choose a pharmacy technician program which is recognized by a nationally accredited organization like the ASHP - American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Type of Program: Out of the 18 pharmacy technician schools in North Carolina, 13 offer an associate degree program of two years and 17 schools offer a certificate/diploma program of 9 months. Based on your job goals, knowing the duration and fee of the training will help you make up your mind about which school is most suited to your aspirations.

Tuition Cost: Tuition cost will vary from college to college, so you need to verify if the cost of your education will fall in line with your career goals. Also you need to know what all is included in the tuition cost.

Financial Aid

Every year, North Carolina donates millions of dollars, as educational loans and grants, to help students pay for college. Financial aid for students comprises of scholarships, grants such as the Federal Pell Grant, in-state resident subsidies, as well as the state's Education Lottery Scholarship. Those who seek financial help must fill the FAFSA application. Government training programs use FAFSA information to help you with your college financial support requirements.

Admission Requirements in North Carolina

It is vital that you understand the admission requirements of the pharmacy technician schools in North Carolina, so as to prevent a last minute scramble.

Let us look in to the admission requirements of Craven Community College:

• Submit an application for admission

• Submit Gainful Employment Acknowledgement form.

• Apply for financial assistance.

• Submit official copies of transcripts

• Appear for the Placement Test

Employment Opportunities

You could apply for jobs at - MedCare Pharmacy, SGS, U.S. Army, Hamlin Drug Co., CVS Health, Rite Aid, K Mart, and VCare Pharmacy for job placements.

Salary in NC

The average salary of a pharmacy technician in North Carolina is $30,450 per year. The expected growth rate in the state for pharmacy techs is 20% according to the careeronestop, between 2016 to 2026. There are currently 13,850 pharmacy technicians working in the state and annually 1,390 job openings are created in the state.

Pharmacy Technician Related Organizations in North Carolina

North Carolina Board of Pharmacy

In North Carolina, to work as a pharmacy technician, you must apply to the board for a licensure. The North Carolina Board of Pharmacy regulates pharmacies in the state by issuing and renewing licenses and permits.

North Carolina Association of Pharmacists

North Carolina Association of Pharmacy represents pharmacy professionals in NC. It promotes their cause by giving them a strong voice in the government, providing continuing education programs and innovative practice tools and practice forums that will meet the special needs of individual practice settings.

View North Carolina's Complete List of Pharmacy Technician Schools

Nearby States

Georgia Kentucky Ohio

South Carolina Tennessee Virginia

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