Pharmacy Technician Programs in Virginia

Why has Virginia been so heavily impacted by a growing need for medical professionals? Virginia is a geographically diverse state, with some residents living in secluded rural areas and others living in large urban areas. As a result, some residents have many options for health care, while others may be extremely limited by their location. Becoming a pharmacy technician may give you the chance to lessen wait times and help the residents of Virginia.

Contact the schools below to learn more about how to become a pharmacy technician in Virginia.

Whether you want to work in a rural or urban area, the duties of a pharmacy technician are very similar. You must care about the well-being of your customers, understand the importance of filling medications promptly and correctly, and always be willing to learn about advances in the medical industry.

Pharmacy Technician Schools in Virginia

To be useful in any pharmacy setting, you must have the right background knowledge and hands-on skills to work independently and integrate your knowledge into every professional decision you make. This experience comes from completing a pharmacy technician degree program. Virginia offers a number of degree programs, ranging from short term diploma and certificate programs to two-year Associate’s degree programs.

Pharmacy tech programs in VA tend to have fairly similar curricula. As you work toward graduation, you may explore this field through courses like Basic Pharmacy Software Applications, Issues in Pharmacy, Applied Pharmacy Systems, Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians, and Pharmacy Technology.

Of course, it is also crucial to know how to apply these skills to real-life work settings. For this reason, and to prepare students for certification, Virginia schools tend to require the completion of clinical rotations or an internship. Through these types of experience, you may learn how to work effectively with customers and figure out where you fit in the world of pharmacy.

Working as a Pharmacy Technician in Virginia

Once you have finished the rigorous process of pharmacy technician training, it is time to move on to the next step of your career. You must send copies of your transcripts, proof of work hours, and a completed application to the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Upon passing their licensing exam, you may obtain your national certification. This allows you to go through the process of state licensure, which is overseen by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. After finishing both of these steps, you may begin working in a Virginia pharmacy.

When you compare Virginia to the country as a whole, it is clear that job growth in the state is right on target. Through 2022, O*Net expects a 19% increase in job openings. They report that the average salary for a Virginia pharmacy technician is $27,600 per year, and the top 10% of pharmacy techs earn more than $40,000 per year (O*Net, 2014).

You can start getting excited about your new career right now. Learn more about how to become a pharmacy tech in Virginia by contacting nearby schools.

Virginia

Everest College
Campus Locations in: Chesapeake, VA
Matching Programs: Pharmacy Technician Diploma
Program Types Offered: Diploma