BECOMING A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN MONTANA

A job as a pharmacy technician may be a good fit for you if you’re detail-oriented, interested in helping others, and would like tol start a career in healthcare as quickly as possible. As a pharmacy technician, you will assist pharmacists by completing administrative tasks, managing inventory, and dispensing medication, among other job responsibilities. [Leer en español]

Every state differs in its licensing, registration, and education requirements for pharmacy technicians. The following information will help you get started in Montana.

PREREQUISITES FOR BECOMING A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN

Pharmacy technicians in Montana must have a high school diploma or GED, be at least 18 years old, and apply for a nonrenewable pharmacy technician in training license with the Montana Board of Pharmacy. After 18 months of training and successful completion of a national certification exam, technicians in training are awarded a permanent license.

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS IN MONTANA

Pharmacy technicians may receive their training from a licensed pharmacist or through a formal educational course. Technical schools and community colleges throughout Montana offer pharmacy technician programs ranging from certificate courses to associate’s degree tracks. Whichever type of pharmacy technician program you choose, be sure it’s approved by the state Board before enrolling. The following Pharmacy technician schools are two of those in Montana that offer relevant pharmacy technician programs:

Missoula College at the University of Montana

This two-semester certificate program uses classroom, lab, and on-the-job education to train pharmacy technicians. Students will be able to experience a real pharmacy setting and apply their skills to real-world situations.

Miles Community College

Miles Community college offers a Certificate of Applied Science for pharmacy technicians. The 33-credit program prepares students to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification exam through a combination of classroom and experiential training.

Penn Foster Career School

Penn Foster offers an affordable, ASHP Accredited online Pharmacy Technician training program. More information.

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CERTIFIED PHARMACY TECHNICIAN

Your Montana pharmacy technician license is required to work as a pharmacy technician in the state. These licenses must be renewed each year before June 30 by paying a fee through mail or online. Only a certified Pharmacy technician by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board is eligible for the renewal of their state licenses.

Receiving your national certification allows you to take on additional responsibilities in the workplace. To apply, you must have a high school diploma or GED, register with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam and pay a fee of $129. After successfully passing the exam, your certification is valid for two years and must be renewed by completing continuing education requirements every two years.

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SALARY AVERAGES AND JOB GROWTH ESTIMATES

The job market for pharmacy technicians in Montana is growing steadily, with the Projections Managing Partnership expecting a 15.8 percent increase in available work during the 10 years to 2026. This represents stronger growth than the national average of 12 percent during the same period.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technicians in the state make an average annual salary of $34,780, with higher salaries typically available to Certified Pharmacy Technicians.

WORKING AS A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN MONTANA

As a pharmacy technician, you have several options regarding your workplace. You may choose to work in a hospital, at a chain or independent drugstore, clinic, a nursing home, or other similar healthcare facilities. Because many of these facilities are open nights and weekends, you should plan to have a nontraditional schedule. You should also be comfortable standing for long periods and moving heavy boxes of inventory.

Pharmacy technician jobs are typically most plentiful in cities like Billings, Montana, where higher salaries match the higher cost of living. But because most communities have a healthcare facility nearby, jobs can generally be found throughout the state

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FAQS

What are the best pharmacy technician schools in Montana?

The University of Montana, Missoula
Montana State University, Billings
Penn Foster Career School, Online
Ashworth College, Online
Rasmussen College, Online

How do you become a pharmacy technician in Montana?

You must be at least 18 years old
You must have a high school diploma or GED
Pass a criminal record check
Submit three references that you are competent to practice as a Pharmacy Technician
Pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)

How much do pharmacy technicians make in Montana?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a pharmacy technician in the state of Montana made an average of $34,780 per year in 2018. An entry-level pharmacy technician earned around $26,750 and some experienced professionals earned as much as $44,190.

ALL SCHOOL LISTINGS

Western Montana nonmetropolitan area Area

Flathead Valley Community College

777 Grandview Dr, Kalispell, Montana 59901Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

The Certificate program at Flathead Valley Community College is taught at their campus in Kalispell in Flathead County. The college has roughly 2,216 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. Flathead Valley Community College is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.* Tuition fees for in-district students are roughly $3,820 and are $5,192 and $10,960 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively. Books and supplies can cost roughly $1,000, although this will depend on the program.

Great Falls, MT Area

Great Falls College Montana State University

2100 16th Ave S, Great Falls, Montana 59405Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

Great Falls College Montana State University’s Certificate-level Pharmacy Technician program is imparted at their campus in the city of Great Falls, MT. The majority of the school’s 1,875 students are on 2-year programs. Great Falls College Montana State University is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.* The cost of tuition for students living in the state is roughly about $3,085 and for students from other states around $9,337 for each academic year. Books and supplies can cost roughly $1,400, although this will depend on the program.

Missoula, MT Area

The University of Montana

Missoula, Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

The University of Montana’s Certificate program is imparted at their campus in the city of Missoula, Montana. Of the 14,525 students, about 16% are postgraduates. The University of Montana has institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and the program is separately accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.* The cost of tuition for in-state students is usually in the order of $6,045 and for students from outside the state in the order of $21,719 per year. Study materials can cost in the order of $950, as necessitated by the chosen program. This program is ASHP accredited. The school offers starting dates in August. Candidates must undergo an interview.

Class scheduling: Full-time.

Acceptance Requirements: High School diploma or GED, transcript, preadmission math abilities testing.

General Location Training Sites: Throughout Montana; primarily the Missoula area. Academic award: Certificate of completion.

They say Hands-on training in the pharmacy laboratory during the first semester. Well-rounded 2-semester program. Students are encouraged to take the PTCB exam during or upon math and writing abilities testing completion of the program.

* 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

See options in the neighboring states of Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota.