3 Options for Pharmacy Technician Training in Massachusetts
When looking for pharmacy technician training in Massachusetts, not only do you have the option of a traditional school, there are programs that are offered through pharmacies and hospitals. According to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy, there are twenty-six approved pharmacy technician programs. It is very important to ensure the pharmacy technician training program has been approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy.
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
One Massachusetts school that offers pharmacy technician training is the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, located in Boston. Their one year certificate program was developed with the cooperation of CVS pharmacies and prepares students to perform as pharmacy technicians in a variety of pharmacies, including clinics, hospitals, and other locations. The curriculum consists of eight required classes and one elective. Classes include:
- Two semesters of Pharmacology
- Two semesters of Pharmacy Operations
- One semester of Pharmacy Calculations
The Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology Career Services Office is available to assist students and graduates in developing career tools to help find employment. These include resume and cover letter development as well as interview techniques. The Career Services Office also helps to match students and graduates with employers via job listings, on-campus recruiting, and job fairs.
Roxbury Community College
Another school that offers pharmacy tech training in Massachusetts is Roxbury Community College. They offer a twenty-four week program divided into two parts.
- Math for Pharmacy Technician is a twelve-week course that provides students with proficiency in the performance of pharmacy calculations.
- Pharmacy Technician Training is an additional twelve weeks that focuses students on preparation for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board National Exam. The curriculum includes:
- Filling medication dosage forms and completing pharmacy calculations
- Completing routes of administration
- Prescription Interpretation of various forms of medication
- Classes of medications, including adverse effects as well as drug interactions
- Ethics and Pharmacy Law
Roxbury Community College supports students and graduates throughout their process of career planning with a variety of programs designed to obtain employment, such as an internship, which provides students with real world experiences.
Massasoit Community College
Massasoit Community College is another school offering pharmacy technician training in Massachusetts. Massasoit has three campuses: one in Brockton, one in Canton, and one in Middleborough. The Pharmacy Technician Training Program is completed in a single semester. It consists of a 240 hours: 120 hours in the classroom and 120 hours of practical instruction in a supervised job setting.
Pharmacy technician employment is expected to rise by 25% between 2008 and 2018. As the population ages, as well as the development of new pharmaceuticals, prescription drug use is expected to rise, spurring an increased demand for pharmacy technicians.
It is a good time to be seeking out pharmacy technician training in Massachusetts. In the current uncertain economic environment, education and certification leading to a position as a pharmacy technician is a viable career option. The sooner you can get enrolled in a pharmacy technician school, the sooner you will find yourself employed as a certified pharmacy technician.
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