Pharmacy Technician Training Program

The UI Health Care Pharmacy Technician Training Program is designed to prepare students for a career as a pharmacy technician through didactic, simulation, and experiential training. Upon completion of the training program, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exam administered through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. This certification is a requirement to work as a pharmacy technician in Iowa. 

Under general pharmacist supervision, a pharmacy technician coordinates and performs the technical activities related to patient medications. Pharmacy technicians can perform many tasks, including but not limited to:  

  • Filling and dispensing medications  
  • Delivering medications  
  • Compounding sterile and nonsterile products in hospital pharmacy settings 
    • Compounding is the process of combining or mixing ingredients to create a medication tailored to the needs of a patient.  

Admission requirements

  • Possess a high school diploma or the equivalent. 
  • Have English language and math proficiency sufficient to fulfill the requirements of the pharmacy technician job responsibilities, demonstrated by passing the reading comprehension and math assessments in three or fewer attempts.  A minimum score of 70% is required for each assessment.  
  • Disclose any history of criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration actions that may affect the student’s ability to pursue national pharmacy technician certification.  
  • Pass a criminal record background check.  
  • Comply with immunization requirements of experiential sites and employers. 
  • Meet technology requirements: All students must have access to a computer and internet with capabilities to view and hear video demonstrations. 
  • Be available for on-site simulation and experiential hours at UI Hospitals & Clinics. 

Program overview

The program is approximately 420 hours (12-15 weeks) in length and will be scheduled individually with the program coordinator based on student availability and preference. Training is provided in both online and in-person formats.  

Didactic/Online (approximately 130 hours)  

Acquired at the convenience of the student by completing online training modules through the Pharmacy Technician University program. Students learn about skills and knowledge they will need to know to pass the certification exam and work as a technician. Includes learning about common generic and name-brand medications, pharmacy ratios and proportion equations, pharmacy law, electronic insurance claims, professional interaction with patients, sterile and non-sterile compounding, and other topics appropriate to UI Health Care pharmacy settings. 

Simulation (approximately 66 hours)  

Acquired through in-person training schedule with the program coordinator at UI Hospitals & Clinics. Students will get opportunities to gain first exposure to activities such as putting on garb and going into a simulated clean room to learn proper aseptic technique. They will also learn about making non-sterile compound products and perform role-playing activities that will mimic the tasks of a certified pharmacy technician.  

Experiential (approximately 224 hours)  

Acquired through in-person training where the student spends time at a variety of pharmacy locations within UI Hospitals & Clinics shadowing pharmacists and technicians while performing many of the tasks required of a technician. These include filling and dispensing medications, and compounding sterile and non-sterile products, among other tasks.  

Program Training Dates: 

The Fall Session is currently in progress. Accepting online applications for the next session, to begin in January 2023.

Download Pharmacy Technician Training Program manual

Program costs

Summary of Course Costs
Item Price

Non-Refundable Seat Fee 

  • Due prior to first day of class 
 $100

Program Fee 

  • Partial fee (50%) due at 30 days  
  • Remaining (50%) due at 60 days  
 $1500
Parking (if required)  $90

Tuition assistance is not available. Program fees must be paid at noted timelines and are subject to change. Additional payment plans are available upon request. 

 

NOTICE: First FIVE Accepted Students, the Program Fee of $1500 will be waived.

 

Covered Expenses:  

  • Access to online materials through Pharmacy Technician University 
  • Uniform(s) 
  • Iowa Board of Pharmacy trainee registration fee 
  • Iowa Board of Pharmacy certified technician registration fee 
  • Pharmacy Technician Certification Board certification exam (one time) 

How to apply: 

  • Complete the application form
  • Attach a copy of high school diploma or equivalent to the application form.
  • Complete pre-assessments of reading comprehension and math administered through Pharmacy Technician University

Questions? 

To learn more about this program, contact:  

Ben Voss, program coordinator,  benjamin-voss@uiowa.edu  

Jenna Lueth, Pharmacy HR manager, jenna-lueth@uiowa.edu.