Prepare for an exciting career in the fast-growing pharmacy field through a Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) recognized program. This 80-hour course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a community or hospital pharmacy setting. Students will be prepared to assist the pharmacist in all daily pharmacy tasks. It will also provide necessary communication skills for interactions with patients as well as other healthcare professionals. The course includes 80 hours of classroom instruction for retail and institutional pharmacy practices and support for calculations and preparation for the National Certification exams. Students will have an optional externship component in a retail pharmacy location available as a part of the course fee.
Program Update
Due to recent state legislation amending the IL Pharmacy Practice Act, the Pharmacy Technician program is currently transitioning to meet required changes. Enrollment for the 2023 fall semester is on pause and anticipate to accept enrollment Spring 2024. Additional details are coming soon.
Upcoming Classes
We offer multiple classes, including Saturdays and allows flexibility for our students to continue working while being prepared for their next career. The classes are offered during fall, spring and summer semester. Contact healthcare@cod.edu and receive information on the next Pharmacy Technician program!
Information Session
Students are required to attend this introduction before attending the Pharmacy Technician course. Topics covered include course logistics, expectations and an overview of curriculum, including examples of mathematics used in the field. Register and attend the next information session.
Externship
Experience is an important component when becoming a pharmacy technician. Fortunately, you can receive relevant pharmacy technician training experience during the externship part of our program. We have relationships with several pharmaceutical locations, including Walgreens providing you with the opportunity to receive on-the-job training experience.
Licensure and Certification
State licensure is required to work as a pharmacy technician-in-training in the state of Illinois, then one must obtain national certification as a pharmacy technician within a two-year period to renew their license. Criminal disclosure is required for state licensure and certification.
Career Information
*The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $36,740 or $17.66 per hour in May 2021. Employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 4 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. Increased demand for prescription medications will lead to more demand for pharmaceutical services.
Prerequisites
- High school diploma or equivalency
- No prior drug convictions of any kind
- English and Algebra 1 proficiency
Due to the inherent requirements of the profession as a pharmacy technician, students must possess additional non-academic skills. Psychomotor skills (hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity), visual acuity (normal or corrected vision) sufficient for safe practice of pharmacy technician duties and communication skills (ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, with patients, doctors and other personnel, and the ability to follow written and verbal directions).
Essential Functions are generally required for all College of DuPage Health Career Programs. If the ability to perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations result in the inability to meet identified student learning outcomes, the student may be at risk of not successfully completing the course and/or program.
Tuition and Payment Plans
- Fee: $1,499 includes externship (books and technician licensing fee not included)
- Payment is due at registration. A payment plan is available.
This program is approved for funding by the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). Check with workNet DuPage for eligibility requirements. Explore financial options for Continuing Education programs.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,
Pharmacy Technicians,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm (visited April 19,
2022).
Contact Information
Continuing Education
Student Resource Center (SRC), Room 1110
(630) 942-2208
Fax: (630) 942-3785
Email: CE@cod.edu
- Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.