Pharmacy Technician Schools and Programs in Oregon

Just like in the rest of the nation, Oregon has an increasing demand for pharmacy technicians. New innovations in the pharmaceutical industry and the increase in lifestyle diseases have led to a constant supply and demand for prescription drugs. With a workforce of 4,260 in 2018, pharmacy technicians in the state draw an average annual salary of $39,730 which is considerably higher than the national average. There are 8 schools in Oregon that provide pharmacy technician training. To pursue a pharmacy technician career it is prudent you complete your training from one of the best schools in the state. We have ranked the Top 5 Pharmacy Technician Schools in Oregon, based on our methodology, taking factors such as quality of education, student faculty ratio and tuition cost. Read on to know about the top schools, state requirements and job prospects for pharmacy technicians in Oregon.

5 Best Pharmacy Technician Schools in Oregon for 2021

(Following is a list of schools offering the best pharmacy technician programs in Oregon)

#1. Chemeketa Community College - Salem

Chemeketa Community College is a community college located in Salem, Oregon. The college also has education centers in Dallas, Brooks, and Woodburn, and Eola. With a humble beginning in 1952, offering nursing and electronics courses for the unemployed, today Chemeketa serves about 30,000 students every year offering a wide array of programs. The college is renowned for its free tuition to thousands for students and also low-cost textbooks. At Chemeketa, based on your budget and needs you can pursue a 1-year certificate in Pharmacy Technician or a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Pharmacy Management. You will gain skills and knowledge to enter the field as an entry level pharmacy technician through a combination of classroom lectures and lab work. Upon successful completion of the program you will be able to find employment in community pharmacies, clinics and hospital pharmacies.

By pursuing the certificate program, you will be able to:

• Compound, prepare and dispense medications
• Maintain patient records
• Manage inventory in the pharmacy

By pursuing the Associate degree program, you will be able to:

• Manage a pharmacy as a leader
• Implement accounting techniques to manage inventory and contain costs
• Ensure the pharmacy adheres to local state laws and regulatory compliance

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Type: Certificate, Associate Degree
Program Length: 1 Year, 2 years

#2. Carrington College - Mesa

Carrington College at its Portland, Oregon campus is offering two programs for aspiring pharmacy technicians. One is a certificate course which can be completed in 9 months and the other a more comprehensive associate degree course which can be completed in less than 2 years. The programs are a combination of classroom and hands on experience. The experiential training is very important to apply classroom learnings to the real-world pharmacy setting. You should be able to prepare and dispense medication, verify prescription information, manage inventory and maintain customer profiles. Upon successful completion of the program you will be prepared and ready to take the PTCB certification exam.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Type: Certificate, Associate Degree
Program Length: 9 Months, Less than 2 Years

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#3. Central Oregon Community College - Mesa

Established as a community college in 1949 to serve the growing needs of students in the Bend area, Central Oregon Community College is the oldest 2-year college in the state of Oregon. COCC is the only college east to Cascades to offer a certificate in Pharmacy Technology which will take 9 months to complete. Coursework is a combination of hybrid and online classes and begins in the fall of each year. Coursework includes core Pharmacy Technology subjects such as drug terminology, drug calculations, pharmacy laws, sterile techniques and insurance processing. At the end of the program you will be able to take and pass the PTCB examination. You need to note that certification is required by the Oregon Board of Pharmacy to work as a pharmacy technician in the state of Oregon.

Program Type: Certificate (Hybrid & Online)
Program Length: 9 Months

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#4. Southwestern Oregon Community College - (Online)

With a scenic campus located within 2 miles of the Pacific Ocean, Southwestern Oregon Community College with its dedicated team of faculty wants to positively impact the lives of student by providing quality education. The 1-year online certificate in Pharmacy Technology program will prepare you to assist the pharmacist and fully discharge your duties as a pharmacy tech in a retail or hospital pharmacy. Upon successful completion of this program the student will be able to take the PTCB examination.

Program Type: Certificate
Program Length: 1 Year

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#5. Rogue Community College - Grants Pass, Medford, White City & the Illinois Valley

Rogue Community College, a public 2-year community college has been serving students by providing educational programs in the Jackson and the Josephine counties for the last 48 years. The college is approved by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The 33-week certificate in Pharmacy Technology program will prepare you for an entry level job as a pharmacy tech at a retail and hospital pharmacy. The program will teach you to perform duties like filling prescriptions, perform calculations and manage inventory under the watch of a licensed pharmacist. After completing this program, you will be able to take the national certification exam to become a certified pharmacist which will enhance your salary and job prospects.

Program Type: Certificate
Program Length: 33 Weeks

What are the Requirements to Work as a Pharmacy Technician in Oregon?

To work as a pharmacy technician in Oregon, you need to be registered with the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy. The state additionally mandates certification within a year of registration in order to continue working as a pharmacy technician. While formal education is not a pre-requisite it will make it simple for you to take and pass the certification exam.

Education: The basic educational requirement to become a pharmacy technician in Oregon is a high school diploma or GED. While enrolling into a pharmacy technician school is not a mandate, the knowledge and skills you gain will help you clear the PTCB and ExCPT certification exam. Graduating from a pharmacy technician school will also give you an edge in the job market as employers usually prefer trained pharmacy technicians. There 8 pharmacy technician schools in Oregon, out of which only 3 are ASHP accredited.

Certification: Certification is a mandate in the state of Oregon. PTCB and ExCPT are approved certifications in the state. There are currently 3,676 PTCB certified Pharmacy techs in Oregon.

Licensure: To work as a pharmacy technician in Oregon you are required to register with the state board, the pre-requisite being 18 years of age and having a high school diploma or GED. Now, there are two types of registrations which you will need to do; one as a trainee and the other as a certified pharmacy technician. Before you start work you will require obtaining a license as a Pharmacy Technician (trainee). This allows you more than a year, but not more than two years to take and pass the certification exam and become nationally certified and then apply for the Certified Oregon Pharmacy technician license.

Factors to Keep in Mind While Selecting a Pharmacy Technician Program

Affordability: Affordability of a pharmacy technician program is one of the most important factors you should consider before you enroll. Affordability without compromising on the quality of education is what you should be looking at. Ensure you inquire if there are any hidden costs attached and other inclusive and exclusive charges you might incur. Further on, fill in the FAFSA and apply for financial aid.

Program Length: Depending on your career goals, decide on which program will suit you best. While a Certificate is shorter in duration, the coursework you learn may not be comprehensive. An associate on the other hand will take you through an intensive coursework, however will take twice the time period to complete. If entry level pharmacy tech jobs are what you aspire then a Certificate of Diploma should be the perfect bet, whereas, for advanced pharmacy positions enrolling for an Associate program will be prudent.

Accreditation: Experts advise you graduate from an ASHP accredited pharmacy technician program. There 3 ASHP pharmacy technician schools in Oregon.

Average Salary of a Pharmacy Technician in Oregon

The BLS projects promising job prospects for pharmacy technicians in Oregon with a growth rate of 16.73% through 2016 to 2026. While working in a clinical setting in Salem or Yuba City will fetch you the highest salaries in the state, on an average you can expect to take home an annual income of $39,730. Albertsons Companies, RPh on the Go, Rite Aid,Fred Meyer , Priority Rx Staffing , Oregon Health & Science University , CVS Health Retail, Providence Health & Services, WALGREENS, Bi-Mart Corporation,Genoa Healthcare , CareerStaff RX, CVS Health, Consonus Pharmacy and Rx relief are the prominent pharmacy technician employers in the state.

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