BECOMING A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN KANSAS
The role of a pharmacy technician is an ideal one for people who have strong attention to detail and a desire to help others maintain their health. Work involves dispensing prescriptions, managing inventory, and taking on other tasks to assist pharmacists and patients.
Pharmacy technicians are in high demand across the country, making this an excellent time to consider this healthcare job for your next career move. Licensing requirements vary from state to state, and this guide will help you become a pharmacy technician in Kansas.
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS
Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years old and register with the Kansas Board of Pharmacy before beginning work. This registration must be prominently displayed in the workplace and renewed every two years.
Within 30 days of registering, pharmacy technicians must take a Board-approved exam, which is administered by a licensed pharmacist and submitted to the Board, to demonstrate their knowledge.
They must also acquire job-specific training through either an accredited school or through on-the-job training administered by a licensed pharmacist.
A high school diploma or GED is not required to work as a pharmacy technician in Kansas, though it is a prerequisite for admission to most formal training programs.
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS IN KANSAS
Community colleges and technical schools offer pharmacy technician programs that can last anywhere from a few months to two years. Before selecting a program, search for pharmacy technician programs that are approved by the state Board. The following are a few of the schools in Kansas that offer acceptable pharmacy technician programs:
Allen Community College
Allen Community College offers an associate’s degree in pharmacy technology, which includes coursework in pharmacology, pharmacy calculations, and health science. Some courses are available online, allowing for more flexible scheduling.
Barton Community College
Barton’s two-semester pharmacy technician program consists of 29 credit hours, including an internship at a local pharmacy. The program is available on campus and online, and both options are designed to prepare students for national certification exams.
North Central Kansas Technical College
Students in North Central’s pharmacy technician program learn calculations, pharmacy practices and operations, and drug preparation techniques. They also have access to a simulation lab and hands-on training during the one-year certificate program.
Penn Foster Career School
Penn Foster offers an affordable, ASHP Accredited online Pharmacy Technician training program. More information.
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LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR KANSAS
Pharmacy technicians in Kansas must pass a Board-approved exam shortly after beginning work. They may also choose to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam to become a certified pharmacy technician and qualify for higher-paying jobs. To take the exam, technicians must register with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, have a high school diploma or GED, and pay a fee of $129.
After you have been awarded your certification, you will need to complete continuing education requirements and a renewal process every two years to keep the certification current.
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and tests pharmacy technicians’ knowledge of pharmaceuticals, pharmacology, and related topics. The exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within two hours.
To prepare for the exam, study guides are available online or through the Kansas Board of Pharmacy.
Upon passing the exam, pharmacy technicians will receive a pharmacy technician certification card and be added to the PTCB’s National Certification Registry. In addition, they may apply for higher-paying jobs in various settings.
CAREER AND SALARY ESTIMATES
The Projections Managing Partnership estimates that jobs for pharmacy technicians in Kansas will grow by 8.6 percent during the 10 years to 2026, slightly slower growth than the national average of 12 percent during the same period.
Pharmacy technicians receive an average annual salary of $32,940 in the state, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
WORKING AS A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN KANSAS
As a pharmacy tech, you can expect to work in a hospital, independent or chain drugstore, nursing home, clinic, or another healthcare facility. Many of these locations are open late and on the weekends, so plan to have a nontraditional schedule. You will likely find both full-time and part-time roles available. While at work, you should also expect to stand for long periods and be comfortable carrying heavy loads on occasion. While cities like Wichita pay the highest salaries to compensate for the cost of urban living, you can find fulfilling careers as a pharmacy technician throughout the state
FAQS
What are the best pharmacy technician schools in Kansas?
- Wichita Technical Institute, Wichita
- Hutchinson Community College, Hutchinson
- Pinnacle Career Institute, South Kansas City
- Rasmussen College, Topeka
- Allen County Community College, Iola
How do you become a pharmacy technician in Kansas?
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You must have a high school diploma or GED
- Certification (PTCB) is not required but recommended as is passing the PTCE exam
- Apply to the Kansas Board of Pharmacy
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Kansas?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technicians in the state of Kansas made an average of $32,940 per year in 2018. Entry-level pharm techs earned around $22,780 and some experienced professionals earned as much as $45,360.
ALL SCHOOL LISTINGS
Kansas nonmetropolitan area Area
Allen County Community College
1801 N Cottonwood, Iola, Kansas 66749
Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program, Pharmacy Technician – Associate Program
The College offers various Certificate Pharmacy Technician program options a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are offered at their campus in the town of Iola, KS.
This public college has around 2,852 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. Allen County Community College is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.* The cost of tuition is likely to be in the order of $2,304 yearly. Learning materials may cost about $400, although this varies from program to program.
Barton County Community College
245 NE 30th Road, Great Bend, Kansas 67530
Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at the College can be taken at their campus in Great Bend in Barton County. Most of the school’s 5,210 students are in 2-year programs. The school is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.*
The cost of tuition for in-state students is usually in the order of $2,912 and for students from outside the state in the order of $3,904 per year. Learning materials may cost in the order of $1,229, as necessitated by the chosen program.
Wichita, KS Area
Heritage College-Wichita
2800 S Rock Rd, Wichita, Kansas 67210
Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Heritage College is offered at their Wichita campus in the city of Wichita, KS. The majority of the school’s 390 students are on 2-year programs. The school is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.*
The cost of tuition for the program is generally around $16,134 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $816. The typical program completion time is 10 months.
Kansas nonmetropolitan area Area
Hutchinson Community College
1300 N Plum St, Hutchinson, Kansas 67501
Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Hutchinson Community College is taught at their campus in the town of Hutchinson, KS. The college has in the region of 6,127 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs.
Hutchinson Community College has institutional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission, while the program itself is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.* Tuition fees for in-district students are generally around $2,688 and are $2,848 and $3,840 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively. Study materials can cost around $1,275, depending on the program chosen. This program is ASHP accredited.
The program faculty includes 2 technicians, a lab/clerical support member, and a pharmacist. The school offers start dates in August and January. Candidates can expect to attend an interview.
Class scheduling: online.
Acceptance Requirements: HS Diploma or GED equivalency, transcripts, admissions/placement exams OR completion of college-level Basic English AND Basic Algebra with a C or better and interview. Academic award: Certificate.
They say: Online program with exception of the 2-day on-campus laboratory prepares students for the certification exam as well as preparing for work in various pharmacy environments.
North Central Kansas Technical College
Hwy 24, Beloit, Kansas 67420
Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program, Pharmacy Technician – Associate Program
The College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are imparted at their campus in Beloit in Mitchell County, KS. Most of the school’s 844 students are on 2-year programs.
North Central Kansas Technical College has institutional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission, while the programs are separately accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.* Tuition fees are around $4,841 annually. Study materials can cost around $1,390, depending on the program chosen.
This program is ASHP accredited. Staff on the program includes 2 technicians and 2 lab/clerical support. The school offers start dates in the middle of August. You will be required to attend an interview.
Class scheduling: full-time, part-time, daytime, online.
Acceptance Requirements: H.S. diploma or GED equivalency, admissions testing, interview, and transcript
They say: assistance with state registration, preparation for certification examination, financial aid
Wichita, KS Area
Wichita Technical Institute
2051 South Meridian, Wichita, Kansas 67213-1927
Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
Wichita Technical Institute’s Certificate-level Pharmacy Technician program is offered at their campus in the city of Wichita, KS. The majority of the school’s 1,157 students are on 2-year programs. Wichita Technical Institute is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* The cost of tuition for the Pharmacy Technician program is likely to be in the order of $11,700 yearly. Learning materials may cost about $2,082. Program completion is usually 36 weeks.
* Accreditation status and tuition fees are correct at the time of the last update and are sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/). Confirm with the college or university before applying.
OUT-OF-STATE OPTIONS
Residents of Kansas may also wish to review their options in Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Colorado.