Pharmacy technicians fill a vital role in healthcare, working alongside pharmacists to dispense medications, manage inventory, and serve patients in both retail and hospital settings. Florida has one of the highest concentrations of pharmacy technician jobs in the country, with more than 38,000 professionals working in the field statewide, according to BLS data. That number is expected to grow, as demand for pharmacy technician services in Florida is projected to rise by 23% through 2037.
FVI School of Nursing and Technology offers a Pharmacy Technician program in Florida designed to prepare students for entry-level pharmacy work. The 9-month diploma program includes classroom instruction, hands-on lab training, and a supervised externship. Coursework prepares students to challenge nationally recognized certification exams — a key step toward beginning a career as a pharmacy technician.
Below, we’ll walk through what the program covers, who it’s designed for, how certification works, and what the job outlook looks like for pharmacy technicians in Florida and nationally.
What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?
Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Day-to-day responsibilities typically include:
- Filling and labeling prescriptions
- Processing insurance claims
- Managing medication inventory
- Assisting customers
- Maintaining accurate records using Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems
Most pharmacy technicians work in one of two main settings:
- Retail or community pharmacies — including chain pharmacies, independent drugstores, and pharmacies inside grocery stores or large retailers
- Hospital pharmacies — where technicians may take on additional responsibilities like sterile compounding and IV medication preparation
Pharmacy technicians can also work in long-term care facilities, mail-order pharmacies, and specialty pharmacy settings.
What You’ll Learn in FVI’s Pharmacy Technician Program
FVI’s curriculum covers the knowledge and hands-on skills needed for entry-level pharmacy technician work. Coursework combines live online instruction with residential (in-person) sessions, giving students both a strong knowledge base and practical training.
Here’s an overview of the key areas covered:
- Healthcare and science foundations — Introduction to Healthcare, Basic Anatomy & Physiology, and medical terminology
- Pharmacology — Drug classifications, generic and trade names, dosages, side effects, contraindications, and drug interactions across major body systems
- Pharmacy law and regulations — FDA, DEA, and HIPAA requirements; controlled substance classification; record keeping; and the ethical responsibilities of pharmacy technicians
- Pharmacy calculations — Dimensional analysis and mathematical formulas used in daily pharmacy operations
- Pharmacy principles and practice — Roles and duties specific to hospital vs. retail settings, prescription processing, and EHR system navigation
- Sterile and non-sterile compounding — Aseptic technique, USP 795 and USP 797 guidelines, repackaging procedures, and work with flow hoods
- Certification exam preparation — A dedicated course reviewing the four major certification exam domains, with electronic practice exams that reflect the format of the PTCE and ExCPT
- Professional Career Development — Resume preparation, interview skills, and career readiness
Students also earn CPR/BLS certification and complete in-service training in OSHA safety standards, HIPAA compliance, HIV/AIDS awareness, patient rights, and medical error prevention.
The Externship: Hands-On Experience in a Working Pharmacy
The program includes a 180-hour supervised externship in a working pharmacy — either a hospital pharmacy or a community (retail) pharmacy. During the externship, students gain direct experience with drug preparation, distribution, inventory management, and the day-to-day workflow of a real pharmacy environment.
Externships are where students apply the skills they’ve built in the classroom to real-world situations, under the guidance of experienced pharmacy professionals.
Pharmacy Tech Program Details at a Glance
- Location: Miami campus
- Program length: 36 instructional weeks (approximately 9 months, including externship)
- Credential: Diploma (34 credit hours)
Bilingual instruction: Classes are offered in both English and Spanish
- Day and evening schedules available: Day session 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM or evening session 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM, Monday through Thursday
- Class format: A mix of live online instruction and residential (hands-on) training
- Externship: 180 hours of supervised, hands-on experience in a real-world hospital or retail pharmacy
- Program completion rate: 89%
- Certification prep: Coursework prepares students to challenge the PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) and ExCPT (National Healthcareer Association) exams
- Financial aid: Available to those who qualify
Who Is This Program a Good Fit For?
FVI’s Pharmacy Technician program is designed for students who want to enter the healthcare field quickly through a focused, career-oriented training path. No prior healthcare experience is required.
The program may be a good fit if you:
- Want to start training for a healthcare career through a focused program, without spending years in school
- Are changing careers and need a program that works around existing work or family obligations
- Are interested in working with medications, healthcare teams, and patients
- Prefer a structured program that combines online learning with in-person, hands-on instruction
- Are a Spanish-speaking student who would benefit from bilingual instruction at the Miami campus
Day and evening class schedules are available, giving students the flexibility to balance coursework with other responsibilities.
Admissions requirements include a high school diploma or recognized equivalent (such as a GED), a valid photo ID, and a minimum score of 11 on the Scholastic Level Exam (SLE).
Pharmacy Technician Certification: What to Know
To work as a pharmacy technician, candidates typically need to earn a nationally recognized certification by passing an exam. In Florida, pharmacy technicians also must register with the Florida Board of Pharmacy. Graduation does not guarantee certification.
FVI’s program prepares students to challenge two nationally recognized certification exams:
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE) — administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
- Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) — administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Students can elect to sit for either exam after completing the program.
Job Outlook and Salary for Pharmacy Technicians
The job market for pharmacy technicians shows consistent demand, both nationally and in Florida.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $43,460 as of May 2024.
In Florida, demand for pharmacy technician services is projected to rise by 23% through 2037, with the state expected to need nearly 7,000 additional full-time pharmacy technician positions over that period, according to the Florida Center for Nursing’s 2022–2037 Workforce Projections Report.
Graduation does not guarantee employment or licensure. The program prepares students for entry-level positions; entry-level wages are typically below the national median. Salary figures reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reflect medians across all experience levels and are not guaranteed outcomes for graduates.
Student Support and Getting Started at FVI
FVI School of Nursing and Technology provides individualized support at every stage of the student journey, from the initial admissions conversation through graduation.
Students in the Pharmacy Technician program have access to:
- One-on-one faculty relationships — FVI’s instructors work closely with students in a small-class setting and provide personalized attention throughout the program.
- Tutoring — Available at no additional charge for students who need extra academic support.
- Technical support — Dedicated teams at each campus assist with the technology used in online coursework.
- Career Services support — Resume and interview guidance to help students prepare for the job search after graduation.
- Financial aid guidance — FVI’s financial planning team walks students through the FAFSA process and helps explore grants, scholarships, loans, and other options. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
The Pharmacy Technician program has an 89% completion rate, reflecting the level of support FVI provides its students throughout the program.
Individual experiences may vary. Results are not guaranteed.
Classes are offered in English and Spanish at FVI’s Miami Pharmacy Technician school. To get started, fill out a brief information request form and an Admissions representative will walk you through the next steps, including the entrance assessment and financial aid options. Apply now.
