BECOMING A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN DELAWARE
If you’d like to work in healthcare without going through years of medical school, you may enjoy a career as a pharmacy technician. In this role, you’ll help pharmacists at drugstores, hospitals, and other facilities by dispensing prescriptions, managing inventory, answering patients’ questions, and completing administrative work. Jobs in this field are increasing across the country, though each state has its licensing requirements. The following information will give you an overview of Delaware’s specifications. [Leer en español]
BASIC PHARMACY TECHNICIAN REQUIREMENTS
The Delaware Board of Pharmacy, unlike most states, does not require registration, licensing, or certification of its pharmacy technicians. Instead, technicians must complete training provided by a pharmacist or trained pharmacy technician within 90 days of employment. Technicians must be 18 years of age or older to work in Delaware.
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS IN DELAWARE
Educational programs for pharmacy technicians are available at various community colleges and technical schools in Delaware and surrounding states. These programs take anywhere from nine months to two years to complete, depending on whether they confer a certificate or associate’s degree upon graduation.
Delaware Tech
Delaware Tech’s pharmacy technician program includes two brief internship rotations to familiarize students with retail and hospital pharmacy settings. Classroom instruction includes pharmacy fundamentals, math, physiology, and HIPPA regulations, and all books, uniforms, and testing fees are covered in tuition.
Bidwell Training Center
Pittsburgh’s Bidwell Training Center offers a certificate program that teaches future pharmacy technicians professional skills, anatomy and physiology, and pharmacy techniques, among other skills. It also includes volunteer and externship opportunities.
Allegany College of Maryland
This certificate program in nearby Maryland teaches the fundamentals of pharmacy healthcare and also provides students with the opportunity to complete 180-hour internships in a retail or institutional pharmacy.
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PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Pharmacy technicians are not required to obtain any kind of certification before working in Delaware. Choosing to receive national certification, however, may allow technicians to apply for higher-paying jobs and perform additional duties at work, such as reconstitution oral solutions and obtaining refill authorizations. Those interested must register with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, have a high school diploma or GED, take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam and pay a fee of $129. Certification will be conferred after passing the exam and must be renewed every two years. To renew your national certification, you must meet continuing education requirements and pay a $40 renewal fee.
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION BOARD
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is responsible for maintaining national standards and certifying pharmacy technicians throughout the United States. Technicians must meet certain criteria to receive certification from PTCB, including completing a formal training program, having a current certification or license with their state’s board of pharmacy, and passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). Additionally, they must submit to a criminal background check and complete continuing education credits to keep their certification current. Certified pharmacy technicians may be eligible for higher-paying positions and additional duties as well.
The PTCB offers several resources for those considering this profession, including free practice exams, study guides, and a job search engine. The organization also provides an online learning center with free information about the profession and continuing education courses. Finally, they offer resources to help those who are looking for certification preparation classes or materials.
CAREER OUTLOOK AND SALARY EXPECTATIONS
Pharmacy technicians make an average annual salary of $34,470, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In the 10 years from 2016 to 2026, the Projections Managing Partnership expects jobs for pharmacy technicians to grow by 10.1 percent in Delaware. This is roughly on track with the national average growth rate of 12 percent during the same period.
WORKING AS A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN DELAWARE
Pharmacy technicians work in independent and chain drugstores, hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes, among other healthcare facilities. Many of these locations are open late, so nighttime and weekend work may be required. Most technicians work full-time, though part-time options may be available. You should be comfortable standing for long periods and carrying heavy boxes. Higher-paying jobs are typically found in cities, such as Wilmington and Dover, which offer salaries that match the higher cost of urban living. Thanks to the demand for pharmacy technicians, however, you can find work across the state.
FAQS
What are the best pharmacy technician schools in Delaware?
- Salem Community College, Carneys Point, NJ
- Pennco Tech, Blackwood, NJ
- Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, Media, PA
- All-State Career, Baltimore, MA
- Penn Foster Career School, Online
How do you become a pharmacy technician in Delaware?
- You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED
- You must pass a criminal record check
- The Delaware Board of Pharmacy does not require certification
- You must complete training provided by a pharmacist or trained pharmacy technician within 90 days of employment.
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Delaware?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technicians in the state of Delaware made an average of $34,470 per year in 2018. Entry-level pharm techs earned around $23,150 and some experienced professionals earned as much as $49,890.
OUT-OF-STATE OPTIONS
See options in the neighboring states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and New York.