Health Sciences - Pharmacy Technician

What is a Pharmacy Technician? Pharmacy technicians dispense prescription medications, work with pharmacy customers, and organize inventory, among other duties. Individuals in this role are under the supervision of a pharmacist, who is responsible for reviewing all medications filled before they are dispensed. This curriculum covers topics such as pharm tech computer applications, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, and more. Includes soft skills that potential employers may be looking for, plus field-specific knowledge. This program includes 180 hours of on-site externship training to complete the program and provides preparation to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE).2 While graduates will be prepared to take an applicable certification examination to enhance their employment prospects, they are not required to sit for this examination. Working as a Pharmacy Technician When you enroll as a student in UMA's Health Sciences – Pharmacy Technician associate degree program, you'll be able to study on a flexible schedule, learning both the theoretical and practical skills necessary to pursue entry-level roles in the field.5 You will also become familiar with soft skills such as communicating with customers, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Employment is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations. This field is projected to have 49,000 job openings each year, on average, over that decade.1 UMA graduates in this program have found entry-level work in the following environments: PharmaciesHospitals Why UMA?

Ultimate Medical Academy was founded in 1993 to serve the Tampa community’s need to train healthcare professionals, launched its online campus in 2009, and since 2015 has been owned by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (now Vocate Education Solutions). UMA says it has supported more than 100,000 graduates.

• UMA is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education.
• Many programs are fully online, and tech support is available 24/7.
• Standardized testing is not required to enroll: no SAT, GMAT, GRE or ACT.
• Tuition includes coursework materials (textbooks, e-books and software), online and on-campus libraries with librarian support, and externship or professional practice experience in select programs.
• Student support includes one-on-one academic assistance, a personalized student portal, committed advisors from start to finish, and laptops for those who qualify.
• Certification preparation, where applicable, with exam-focused material and support at no additional cost.
• Job search assistance that begins before graduation, resume and mock interview sessions, and ongoing alumni services.

General admissions requirements. Before enrolling, prospective students must have completed a valid high school diploma or equivalent (a standard diploma, official home-schooling, a GED, HiSET or TASC, a state-recognized equivalency certificate, or a DD-214 showing high school completion; special diplomas are not accepted), be proficient in verbal and written English, and be beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in Florida. Students in an entirely online program must pass an Identity Verification (IDV) check.

Enrollment steps. Applicants interview with admissions, complete all required admission documents and an Attestation of High School Graduation or Equivalent, participate in orientation before the program starts, and attend a financial aid appointment. A Level I background check must be completed satisfactorily by the eighth calendar day after the start (Level II for Patient Care Technician). Every new student is first registered on a provisional basis for the first module (the first two modules for Health Sciences - Pharmacy Technician); provisionally registered students do not pay tuition, and those who cancel during this period incur no tuition obligation. Standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT are not required.

Proof of graduation. Health Sciences - Pharmacy Technician students must provide proof of high school graduation or equivalent within 30 days of being selected for verification.

Skills assessment. Students complete a skills assessment in their first course with one attempt allowed. A Level 3 score in all areas (math 27+, reading 80+, writing 59+) needs no remediation; a Level 2 score in any area requires 20 hours of remediation before the end of the second module; a Level 1 score in any area cancels the enrollment.

Externship and state residence. A 180-hour externship is required. Students must live and plan to work in a state in which UMA is currently enrolling Pharmacy Technician students, and many states have their own registration, licensure or certification requirements for pharmacy technicians.

State availability. The Associate of Science version is offered to residents of enrolling states other than Arkansas and Kansas; residents of Arkansas and Kansas enroll in the Associate of Applied Science version, which UMA lists at the same tuition.

Length. Instructional time is 72 weeks and normal time is 77 weeks for 61.5 semester credits (2,815 total clock hours (1,080 clock hours and 1,735 recognized outside clock hours)). Normal time is UMA’s more realistic completion estimate because it includes scheduled breaks; actual completion can vary with leaves of absence, transfer credit or repeated coursework.

Format. Instruction occurs in a distance learning setting through UMA Online, and out-of-class work is required.

Courses and starts. Each course is a module of 5 to 16 weeks depending on the program, and attendance online is based on completing academically related activities such as discussion boards, assignments and tests. UMA Online classes start every 2-3 weeks. Externship hours are based on a minimum of 30 hours per week and are offered during the site’s regular business hours; UMA does not guarantee night or weekend hours.

Tuition. Tuition for the 61.5-semester-credit Health Sciences - Pharmacy Technician Associate of Science degree is $29,212.50, calculated at $475 per credit hour, with books included, so the total cost is also $29,212.50 (published for UMA Online). Tuition varies when courses are failed and must be repeated; retake fees are charged at full tuition equal to the original cost of the course. UMA tuition includes coursework materials (textbooks, e-books and software), online and on-campus libraries, student services and laptops for those who qualify.

Financial aid. UMA offers Federal Student Aid to those who qualify, including Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS loans for parents, and Federal Work Study at the Clearwater campus. Students apply by completing the FAFSA each award year, listing UMA’s school code 035493. UMA also participates in military and veterans’ benefits (Tuition Assistance, the GI Bill® chapters, MyCAA and the Yellow Ribbon Program, with special military pricing published in the catalog) and Florida state aid such as the Florida Student Assistance Grant and Bright Futures. Student Finance advisors help applicants understand their options.

The program prepares students for entry-level employment as pharmacy technicians. A well-qualified pharmacy technician must be proficient in assisting the pharmacist in medication dispensing operations and prescription preparation, and in maintaining written and computerized patient medication records, billing and insurance processes, and patient profiles.

UMA reports that graduates of this program have found entry-level work in these environments:

• Pharmacies
• Hospitals

Certification. The State of Florida requires all pharmacy technicians to register with the State Board of Pharmacy; in some states, professional certification examinations must be passed to be eligible to work as a pharmacy technician. Students receive course preparation to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE) offered through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) offered through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA); graduates must meet eligibility requirements to sit for the examination.

UMA’s Career Services advisors help graduates with resume reviews, job search strategy, interview preparation and the application process, and provide on-the-job support for a graduate’s first weeks of employment. UMA does not guarantee employment.

Support from start to finish. New Student Advisors help students adjust to UMA during their first 10-15 weeks, after which each student is assigned a Learner Services Advisor who stays with them through graduation. Academic Specialists answer questions about discussions, assignments and assessments and connect students with instructors, who can also be reached during office hours or by email.

Resources. The UMA Virtual Library holds thousands of peer-reviewed, full-text articles available at any time, with a full-time librarian for research help. The Student Success Center, Wellness Center and Puma Den Information Center offer on-demand webinars, instructor sessions and help with laptops and technical support, and the UMA Student Guidance Center provides confidential counseling 24/7 at no additional cost.

Externships and careers. In select programs the Externship Team helps students find real-world experience before graduation; Certification Services helps students register for certification exams; and more than 125 Career Services advisors offer resume, interview and LinkedIn coaching, with Alumni Services continuing after graduation.

Attendance and graduation. Online attendance is based on completing academically related activities such as discussion boards, assignments and tests; students absent for 14 consecutive calendar days are withdrawn. To graduate, students complete all required courses and any externship, clinical or PPE hours, earn a minimum CGPA of 2.0, and satisfy attendance requirements.