Pennsylvania Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

According to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania-Department of State records, dated May 13, 2009, under the current law, the State Board of Pharmacy (Board) does not have the authority to register pharmacy technicians. However, pharmacy technicians must work under the immediate and personal supervision of a pharmacist. This limits the duties of a pharmacy technician to:

• Transporting Medications (around the pharmacy or store)
• Counting Medications
• Maintaining Patient Files

Pharmacy technicians may not accept prescription orders over the phone, they may not work in the pharmacy or store when a pharmacist is not present, and they may not answer questions regarding medications.

Although Pennsylvania does not require registration for pharmacy technicians, most employers prefer applicants with an education and training. Applicants with a degree and/or a certificate from a reputable pharmacy technician training program are usually placed at the top of the list. Because many training programs are offered at accredited colleges or specialty schools, a high school diploma or equivalent is mandatory.

Fortunately, Pennsylvania is home to a number of schools that offer excellent certificate, associate, and even bachelor degree programs for aspiring pharmacy technicians. Not only will these schools provide the training you need to excel in this field, they will certainly help you stand out in a sea of applicant’s for any given position.

Pennsylvania Schools with Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:

Pharmacy Technician Programs – Major Pennsylvania Colleges and Universities

Duquesne University – Pittsburgh

University of the Sciences - Philadelphia

Wilkes University – Wilkes-Barre

Pharmacy Technician Programs – Other Pennsylvania Colleges

Bidwell Training Center, Pittsburgh

Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh

Community College of Beaver County, Monaca

Fortis Institute, Erie

Lincoln Technical Institute, Allentown

Luzerne County Community College, Nanticoke

Pennco Tech, Bristol

Penn Foster Career School, Scranton

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, Johnstown

Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, Media

Reading Area Community College, Reading

Yorktowne Business Institute, York