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