Florida Pharmacy Tech Schools & Certification
Pharmacy technicians typically work in a retail pharmacy, at a clinic, or in a hospital. They often receive some training in a pharmacy, and are clearly identified as pharmacy technician students.
A person cannot just walk into a pharmacy and expect to be put to work as a pharmacy technician. The state of Florida has specific statutes and rules governing the practice and employment of pharmacy technicians that pharmacies must adhere to when considering the employment of an individual in this position. The state also demands certain educational requirements for anyone wishing to work as a pharmacy technician in Florida.
Florida Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements
Many states, including Florida, strictly regulate pharmacy technicians. Completing a pharmacy technician program is not only recommended, but is a requirement for certification as a pharmacy technician.
The Florida Senate publishes the Florida Statutes, including Florida Statute Chapter 465 Section 014. A portion of the statutes that governs pharmacy technicians specifically states, under 465.014 Pharmacy Technician, that ‘A person other than a licensed pharmacist or pharmacy intern may not engage in the practice of the profession of pharmacy,' except for duties delegated to registered pharmacy technicians by a licensed pharmacist. The state statutes also require, under Florida Statute 465.014 (2) that ‘Any person who wishes to work as a pharmacy technician in this state must register by filing an application with the board on a form adopted by rule of the board.'
The Florida Board of Pharmacy requires that pharmacy technicians must comply with rules that include:
- Complete a Board of Pharmacy approved pharmacy technician training program
- Complete a pharmacy technician training program that is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency
- Applicants must be at least seventeen (17) years of age
- No license will be issued to any individual that has been convicted of or entered a plea of guilty to a felony related to social and economic assistance or drug abuse prevention and control or fraudulent offense or other similar felony
Florida Pharmacy Technician Careers and Employment Outlook
Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists. They perform many duties similar to the duties of a pharmacist. Some duties include establishing initial patient profiles or updating existing profiles, measuring and mixing medications, and dispensing prescription medications to customers or to healthcare professionals.
Completing a Florida Pharmacy Technician School program starts an individual on a career path working in a pharmacy setting. The job setting varies, and may include the small neighborhood pharmacy, a large chain pharmacy, or a pharmacy inside of a retail store. Other pharmacy technicians work in clinics or hospitals, including performing duties such as mixing compounds or administering intravenous medications in a Florida hospital setting.
There is an anticipated job growth outlook for pharmacy technicians, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS reports anticipated job growth of more than 15,000 jobs through at least the year 2029. The median hourly wage for pharmacy technicians in 2019 was $16.32 per hour. The median annual wage was $33,950 per year. It is important to note that the BLS periodically updates their statistics.
The BLS makes some important points regarding future employment and the projected need for pharmacy technicians across the country. The BLS projects that over the next several years there will likely be an increased demand and need for prescription medications. The aging population, higher rates of chronic diseases, and advances in pharmaceutical research are reasons given by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the job demand outlook for pharmacy technicians.
Taking the first step to a pharmacy technician career involves getting the proper information related to accredited pharmacy technician certification programs in the state of Florida. Follow through with successfully starting along a rewarding career path as a Florida pharmacy technician.
Florida Schools That Offer Pharmacy Technician Training Programs
School | Location | Contact |
---|---|---|
4700 Coconut Creek Pkwy Coconut Creek, FL 33063 | (754) 321-5100 | |
11300 NE 2nd Ave Miami Shores, FL 33161 | (305) 899-3000 | |
2601 S Military Trail West Palm Beach, FL 33415 | (561) 736-3998 | |
360 Santa Barbara Blvd N Cape Coral, FL 33993 | (239) 574-4440 | |
10933 Marks Way Miramar, FL 33025 | (754) 206-7959 | |
1519 Clearlake Road Cocoa, FL 32922 | (321) 632-1111 | |
102 Port Rd Palatka, FL 32177 | (386) 326-9000 | |
2980 Collins Ave St Augustine, FL 32084 | (904) 547-3282 | |
989 North Semoran Boulevard Orlando, FL 32807 | (321) 430-8300 | |
5818 SW 8th St West Miami, FL 33144 | (305) 444-1515 | |
10501 FGCU Blvd. South Fort Myers, FL 33965 | (239) 590-1000 | |
150 W University Blvd Melbourne, FL 32901 | (321) 674-8382 | |
757 Hoyt St Chipley, FL 32428 | (850) 638-1180 | |
8099 College Pkwy Fort Myers, FL 33919 | (239) 489-9300 | |
7505 Grand Lely Dr Naples, FL 34113 | (239) 732-3700 | |
101 W State St Jacksonville, FL 32202 | (904) 633-8100 | |
7757 W Flagler St #220 Miami, FL 33144 | (305) 665-1911 | |
19600 S Dixie Hwy Cutler Bay, FL 33157 | (786) 345-5300 | |
3209 Virginia Ave Fort Pierce, FL 34981 | (772) 462-4772 | |
5520 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Bradenton, FL 34211 | (941) 752-8100 | |
6500 Nova Dr Davie, FL 33317 | (754) 321-5700 | |
5821 Lake Worth Road Greenacres, FL 33463 | (561) 964-5148 | |
300 NE 2nd Ave Miami, FL 33132 | (305) 237-2000 | |
5780 NW 158th St Miami Lakes, FL 33014 | (305) 557-1100 | |
10230 Ridge Road New Port Richey, FL 34654 | (727) 847-2727 | |
1000 College Blvd Pensacola, FL 32504 | (850) 484-1000 | |
9160 Forum Corporate Parkway, Suite 100 Fort Myers, FL 33905 | (239) 477-2100 | |
18600 Fernview Street Land O' Lakes, FL 34638 | (813) 435-3601 | |
8661 Citizens Drive New Port Richey, FL 34654 | (727) 942-0069 | |
4755 SW 46th Court Ocala, FL 34474 | (352) 629-1941 | |
4042 Park Oaks Blvd Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33610 | ||
7700 FL-544 Winter Haven, FL 33881 | (863) 419-3060 | |
3725 W Grace St Tampa, FL 33610 | (888) 315-6111 | |
10255 Fortune Pkwy Suite 501 Jacksonville, FL 32256 | (888) 577-5333 | |
100 Weldon Boulevard Sanford, FL 32773 | (407) 708-4722 | |
2081 Vista Parkway, Suite #100B West Palm Beach, FL 33411 | (561) 433-2330 | |
17395 NW 59th Ave Hialeah, FL 33015 | (305) 820-5003 | |
5840 26th St W Bradenton, FL 34207 | (941) 752-5000 | |
444 Appleyard Drive Tallahassee, FL 32304 | (850) 201-6200 | |
1850 SW 8th Street, 4th Floor Miami, FL 33135 | (786) 577-6909 | |
3280 Progress Dr #700 Orlando, FL 32826 | (407) 882-0260 | |
1255 Cleveland St Clearwater, FL 33755 | (727) 298-8685 | |
11000 University Pkwy Pensacola, FL 32514 | (850) 474-2000 | |
1800 S Kirkman Rd Orlando, FL 32811 | (407) 299-5000 |