What is a Pharmacy Tech?
A Pharmacy Tech is a healthcare professional who supports pharmacists in dispensing medications and providing patient care. They perform a variety of tasks, including:
- Locating, dispensing, packing, and labeling medications
- Managing inventory
- Ensuring compliance with safety regulations
- Assisting in customer service
- Answering questions about medications and health products
- Maintaining accurate records
About the Program
Singing River Healthcare Academy’s ASHP-accredited Pharmacy Tech Apprenticeship Program combines 10 weeks of classroom instruction and 12 months of on-the-job training to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to become certified pharmacy technicians.
As a Pharmacy Tech Apprentice, you will be performing pharmacy-related functions including but not limited to filing out prescription medication.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for the Pharmacy Tech apprenticeship program.
Outcomes
After successful completion of your Pharmacy Tech apprenticeship, you’ll possess the knowledge and skills to work in inpatient, outpatient, and retail pharmacies.
Foundations of the Pharmacy Profession
- Pharmacy law, confidentiality, and ethical practices
- Basic pharmacology concepts including drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
- How to maintain a professional appearance and communicate respectfully with patients
- The role of the pharmacy tech in the medication use process
- Core medical terminology and foundational pharmacy operations
Real-World Pharmacy Skills
Get hands-on training for the tasks you’ll perform every day:
- Accurately process prescriptions and medication orders
- Read and repack prescriptions for both hospital and retail settings
- Make rounds in hospital and medical facilities to deliver medications
- Clean equipment, shelves, and workspaces to maintain pharmacy readiness
- Maintain pharmacy facilities and equipment, including automated dispensing units
- Conduct quality assurance tasks, perform unit inspections, and manage drug reclamation
- Communicate effectively with pharmacists, providers, and patients as part of a collaborative care team
Math and Medication Mastery
Pharmacy techs must be confident with numbers, and this course will train you to:
- Perform critical drug dose calculations using ratios, proportions, and formulas
- Measure time, temperature, and volume accurately for dispensing
- Apply math to real-world scenarios like inventory management and billing systems
- Understand strengths, percentages, and dilutions in medications
Disease and Drug Knowledge
Gain a solid understanding of how medications treat conditions across different systems of the body:
- Learn about diabetes, hormonal imbalances, cancer, respiratory issues, and more
- Identify common brand-name and generic drugs and their functions
- Understand how medications affect the skin, muscles, respiratory tract, and endocrine system
- Become familiar with ophthalmic, ear, mouth, throat, and nose medications
Advanced Training & Career Prep
Set yourself up for success with specialized skills that prepare you for certification and advancement:
- Learn both sterile and nonsterile compounding techniques
- Prepare medications that require sterile compounding
- Navigate pharmacy billing, insurance reimbursement, and payment systems
- Embrace the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in patient care
- Build the confidence and expertise needed to pass the PTCB certification exam
Career Pathways
Training, certification, licensing, and actual practice of pharmacy techs varies not only worldwide, but in some countries regionally as well as by employer.
Starting as a Pharmacy Tech can be a stepping stone to further healthcare roles, such as transitioning into a position as a Compound Pharmacy Tech, Retail Pharmacy Tech, Pharmacy Tech Level II, Pharmacy Tech Level III, or Pharmacy Tech liaison.
This is more than just a certification program—it’s a launchpad to a meaningful, respected healthcare career.
