HOW TO BECOME A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN NEW YORK

If you have a clear eye for detail and would like to have a job where you help people daily, a career as a pharmacy technician may be right up your alley. A licensed pharmacist supervises pharmacy techs, and they may perform tasks such as taking incoming prescriptions, mixing medications, counting out pills, labeling prescriptions and dispensing them to patients. They also have administrative duties such as answering phones and ordering medication. Regulations vary by state. Pharmacy technician guidelines for the state of New York can be found below. [Leer en español]

NEW YORK PHARMACY TECHNICIAN REQUIREMENTS

Some states do not have licensure or registration requirements to work as a pharmacy tech, and New York is one of those states. Therefore, you should be able to find employment as a pharmacy tech in New York with just a high school diploma or GED. Pharmacy techs must also be 18 years of age and pass a criminal background check.

Since pharmacy techs are not regulated in the state, completing a pharmacy tech program that has received accreditation through the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is optional. However, taking an accredited program will give you an edge over your competition, help you to earn more money, and prepare you for certification.

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS IN NEW YORK

If you are interested in having a pharmacy technician education, here are a few pharmacy technician schools in New York and pharmacy technician programs that provide on-the-job training for you to think about:

Manhattan Institute

The Manhattan Institute in New York City offers a diploma program in pharmacy technology. This program consists of six weeks of Saturday and Sunday classes, so you can still work weekdays while taking classes. This pharmacy tech program will prepare you for entry-level work in the field.

New York City College of Technology

Located in Brooklyn, this school offers a 200-hour certificate program in pharmacy technology. This includes 45 hours of classroom instruction with the remaining 155 hours taken online. Classes are held once a week. The online courses prepare students to take the PTCE. Externships are available, and students will receive help with job placement once they have completed the course.

Molloy College

The Rockville and Suffolk Center campuses of Molloy offer a pharmacy technician program. This program consists of 80 hours of instruction in theory and an 80-hour externship. You can complete the classroom portion of the program two nights a week for 13 weeks at the Suffolk Center campus or one Saturday a week for 12 weeks at the Rockville campus. The externship can be taken after the student has completed the instructional part of the program. The externship consists of working 10 eight-hour days in a local retail pharmacy. Students will be able to work in the pharmacy field and take the PTCE once they have completed this program.

Penn Foster Career School

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

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PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Certification is optional in the state, but this credential can help you to advance in your career as a pharmacy tech. Certification can also help you to make more money. The most common form of accreditation is to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) by taking the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE) that is given by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. This exam costs $129. Or, you can take the Examination for Certification as Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT) that the National Health career Association (NHA) offers. The cost to take this exam is $117.

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CAREER OUTLOOK AND SALARY EXPECTATIONS

The job field for pharmacy technicians is currently experiencing a high growth rate. According to the Projections Managing Partnership, in the years between 2016 and 2026, this job field has a predicted national growth rate of 12 percent.

The state of New York hopes to see a 15 percent increase during the same period. The state is currently ranked fifth in the United States for the employment of pharmacy technicians.

In 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that pharmacy technicians in the state of New York were earning an average of $17.69 hourly, or $36,790 annually. Certified pharmacy techs and those who have many years of experience in the field can make up to $56,850 annually in the state.

WHERE TO WORK AS A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN NEW YORK

Pharmacy technicians work in various venues, such as independent drugstores, retail pharmacies, compounding pharmacies, hospitals, mail-order pharmacies, and nursing homes. Part-time and full-time work is available for this career.

Pharmacists are taking on newer and more responsibilities. Therefore, they rely on the help of pharmacy techs to share in their workload. Manual dexterity and solid communication skills are a plus to working in this field.

With the growth rate steadily increasing, work should be available almost anywhere in the state. A registered pharmacy technician can work in the following New York locations:

Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, Syracuse, Albany, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, and Schenectady

However, some of the cities with higher employment rates for this profession include the Bronx, Brooklyn, New York City, Staten Island, and Yonkers. Furthermore, pharmacy technicians working in Brooklyn and New York City are most likely to make the most money in this career.

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FAQS

What are the best pharmacy technician schools in New York?

CUNY Bronx Community College, Bronx
Monroe College, Bronx
Access Careers, Hempstead
American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education, Piscataway, NJ
Penn Foster Career School, Online

How do you become a pharmacy technician in New York?

You must be at least 18 years old
You must have a high school diploma or GED
Pass a criminal record check
Certification is not required in New York

How much do pharmacy technicians make in New York?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technicians in the state of New York made an average of $36,790 per year in 2020. Entry-level pharm techs earned around $29,130 and some experienced professionals earned as much as $56,850.

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ALL PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS LISTINGS

New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division Area

ASA College

81 Willoughby Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201-9805Pharmacy Technology – Associate Program

ASA College’s Associate-level Pharmacy Technician program is taught at its campus in the city of Brooklyn. The majority of the school’s 4,706 students are on 2-year programs. ASA College has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.* The cost of tuition is broadly in the order of $12,268 annually, while study materials may cost around $1,500, depending on the program.

Bramson ORT College

69-30 Austin St, Forest Hills, New York 11375-4239Pharmacy Technician – Associate Program, Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

Bramson ORT College offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. All programs are offered at their campus in the city of Forest Hills, New York. Most of the school’s 796 students are on 2-year programs. The school has institutional accreditation from the New York State Board of Regents, and the Commissioner of Education.* The cost of tuition is broadly in the order of $11,330 annually, while study materials may cost around $600, depending on the program.

New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division Area

Manhattan Institute

255 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016-6516Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

The Certificate program at Manhattan Institute is based at their campus in the city of New York, New York. Most of the school’s 1,135 students are on short programs of under two years. Manhattan Institute is institutionally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.* The college’s retention rate for full-time students is over 80%. Tuition fees for the Medical Assisting program are around $1,350 annually, while books and supplies may cost around $49. Program completion is normally 1 month.

Monroe College

2501 Jerome Avenue, Bronx, New York 10468Pharmacy Technician – Associate Program

The Associate’s degree program at Monroe College is taught at their campus in the city of Bronx. Of the 7,215 students, about 6% are postgraduates. Monroe College has institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.* Tuition fees are, as a rough guide, around $13,236 annually, while books and supplies may cost around $900, depending on the program chosen.

Syracuse, NY Area

Onondaga Cortland Madison BOCES

4500 Crown Rd, Liverpool, New York 13090Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

The Certificate program at Onondaga Cortland Madison BOCES is based at their campus in Liverpool in Onondaga County, NY. Most of the school’s 503 students are on short programs of under two years. Onondaga Cortland Madison BOCES is institutionally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.* The retention rate of full-time students at this college is 89%.

OUT-OF-STATE OPTIONS

Residents of New York may also wish to review their options in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Vermont.