BECOMING A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN FLORIDA

If you like helping others and have a clear eye for detail, then you may want to work as a pharmacy technician or pharmacy tech. Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists in a pharmacy setting by helping dispense prescriptions, managing inventory, compounding medication, and doing administrative work. Pharmacy technicians are high in demand. This profession is regulated on a state level, so the requirements may vary by state. Keep reading to learn what steps you need to take to become a pharmacy technician in Florida. [Leer en español]

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REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN FLORIDA

You must be at least 17 years of age and have a high school diploma or its equivalent to work as a pharmacy tech in Florida. Pharmacy technicians in the state are required to seek licensure by registering with the Florida State Board of Pharmacy. They must also complete a board-approved training program. You don’t have to be certified to work as a pharmacy tech in Florida. However, certification may provide you with more job opportunities and better pay. If a student in training is working in a pharmacy setting in the state, they must wear identification that states as such. Pharmacy techs must also have their registration on display in the pharmacy where they work.

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN PROGRAMS IN FLORIDA

Any training program that pharmacy technicians in the state enroll in must be approved by the State Board. The following are recommended pharmacy technician schools in Florida:

Brewster Technical College

The pharmacy technician program offered by Brewster Technical College can be completed in 12 months. Students will learn different names of medications and their usage, learn how to review and fill prescriptions, perform proper dosage calculations and put all their skills to use in an externship. Once they have completed the program, students will be eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Board Exam (PTBE).

McFatter Technical College

At McFatter, students can enroll in an American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) accredited pharmacy technician program. The program consists of 1,050 credit hours that are taken over 10 months. Students will learn how to prepare medication dosages, manage inventory and fill and label prescriptions. A clinical externship is part of this program.

Southeastern College 

Students at Southeastern College can earn a diploma in pharmacy technology. Thirty-nine credit hours make up this program and can be completed in 10 months if taken full-time or 18 months if taken part-time. Courses include Introduction to Pharmacy Technology, Pharmaceutical Calculations, Body Systems, and Drug Therapy and an externship. This program is ASHP accredited and available at the West Palm Beach and Miami Lakes Area campuses. After students complete this program, they can sit for the PTBE.

Penn Foster Career School

Many people don’t have the time to study on a rigid schedule. Penn Foster’s online pharmacy technician program can be completed in as few as 9 months. You can enroll in the course whenever you’d like, and online support is always available for students. At the end of your pharmacy tech program, you’ll have the opportunity to gain valuable, real-world experience at a CVS/pharmacy or Walgreens near you as part of our required hands-on training externship. More information.

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CAREER OUTLOOK AND SALARY EXPECTATIONS

This career is showing promising growth, with the national growth for pharmacy technicians predicted to be 12 percent over the next few years. As reported by the Projections Managing Partnership, the state of Florida will experience almost double the national growth rate, with a predicted increase of 22 percent in the coming years.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida pharmacy techs make an hourly average of $17.57, or a yearly average of $36,550. Certified pharmacy technicians and those with more experience can earn as much as $46,330 annually in the state.

WORKING AS A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN FLORIDA

Pharmacy technicians might work in independent pharmacies or chain drugstores, hospitals, medical clinics, and nursing homes. Pharmacy techs might work part-time, but most of them work full-time. You must be prepared to stand for long periods and sometimes lift heavy loads.

Florida is the third highest state for employment, out of all the states. Therefore, you shouldn’t have much trouble finding work as a pharmacy tech in Florida. However, the cities with the most pharmacy technician jobs include Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Pensacola, St. Petersburg, Tampa, The Villages, and West Palm Beach. The highest-paying cities in the state are Sarasota, Santa Rosa Beach, Tampa, and West Palm Beach.

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FAQS

What are the best pharmacy technician schools in Florida?

  1. Florida State College at Jacksonville
  2. Miami Dade College, Miami
  3. D A Dorsey Technical College, Miami
  4. Brewster Technical College, Tampa
  5. Pinellas Technical College, St. Petersburg
  6. Concorde Career Institute, Orlando

How do you become a pharmacy technician in Florida?

  1. You must be at least 17 years old and have a high school diploma or GED
  2. Register with the Florida State Board of Pharmacy
  3. Complete a criminal record check
  4. Complete a Board-approved training program
  5. Certification is not required

How much do pharmacy technicians make in Florida?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technicians in the state of Florida made an average of $32,090 per year in 2018. Entry-level pharm techs earned around $22,460 and some experienced professionals earned as much as $41,630.

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OUT-OF-STATE OPTIONS

See options in the neighboring states of Georgia and Alabama.