Work successfully in retail pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care settings.
Join the Frontlines of Pharmaceutical Care
Our pharmacy technician program prepares students for entry-level positions in various health care environments, including retail and hospital pharmacies, long-term care facilities, pharmaceutical companies, and many more.
- Learn prescription processing.
- Operate pharmacy software.
- Perform compounding techniques, inventory management, record-keeping, and billing.
- Practice therapeutic communications.
Obtain National and State Certifications
This 15-week program is approved by the Maryland Board of Pharmacy and for Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit purposes. If you enroll, you will be prepared for the Maryland state certification and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam (PTCE) to obtain a national certification.
Job Outlook and Salaries
According to the Outlook Occupational Handbook, pharmacy technicians make an average of $40,300 annually (2023). The job growth is projected to increase by 7% from 2023 to 2033, outpacing the average for all occupations, and employers expect 47,000 job openings each year.
In Maryland, certified pharmacy technicians (CPhT) make an average of $41,000 annually, with more experienced technicians earning up to $47,000.
Program Information
Those interested in this program must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be at least 17 years of age.
- Have reliable transportation.
- Possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
- Have a computer with internet access.
- Successful completion of BMH-300 course.
- Proof of Accuplacer minimum reading score of 243, proof of college credits, or a cumulative GPA of 2.6 or higher for recent high school graduates (within five years at a USA high school). (Official final transcripts must be sent to the Registration Office to be placed on the student's record.)
BMH-300 Basic Math Skills: Health Care Workers
This course is designed to teach students the math required in allied health courses and the health care field. Topics to be covered include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Additional topics include fractions and decimals, converting fractions to decimals, using the metric system for measurement, and setting up a basic algebra equation.
SYN #13528
Date: 10/28/2024 - 11/11/2024 | Online/Canvas
Course Materials: No books are required for this course.
HES-332 Pharmacy Tech Program
The Pharmacy Technician program trains students for state and national certification. Approved by the Maryland Board of Pharmacy, the program includes classroom and online instruction, and hands-on laboratory practice. Topics include drug regulation and control, terminology, calculations, routes and formulations, compounding, inventory, aseptic techniques, and pharmacology.
SYN #10269 (Fall 2024)
Dates: 8/27/2024 - 12/12/2024 | Meets Monday-Friday
Time: 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Location: Center for Health Studies, Room 2101 (Largo campus)
View required course materials >
SYN #14601 (Spring 2025)
Dates: 1/21/2025 - 5/8/2025 | Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time: 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Location: Center for Health Studies, Room 2101 (Largo campus)
View required course materials >
Scheduled Information Sessions
We offer free virtual information sessions for those interested in this program. Ask questions, learn more about program requirements, and get more details on certificates and certifications.
Meeting Details
Sessions are held every third Wednesday of the month from 2:45-3:15 p.m.
See also
Contact Information
301-546-0879 | wdcehealthcare@ishandun.com
patterrn@ishandun.com
Want to learn more?
Visit our Allied Health and Nursing page.