Where The Future Is In Your Hands

At GMC the future is truly in your hands. After completing our Pharmacy Technician program, graduates will be awarded a diploma.

In some states, like California, Pharmacy Technicians need to be granted state licensure through the respective Board of Pharmacy. More information on California’s licensure for Pharmacy Technicians is included below. Requirements vary widely so it is important to familiarize yourself with the regulations in your state.

California Licensure

In order to be employed as a Pharmacy Technician in the State of California, a State Licensure is required.

To be eligible to receive a CA State License for Pharmacy Technician, the following is required:

  • High School Diploma (or its equivalent) and Transcripts of coursework
  • No infractions, misdemeanors or felonies in any state, the USA or its territories
  • No engagement in the use of illegal drugs or controlled substances in the past 2 years
  • Proof of Completion of a Pharmacy Technician Training Program like the one at Galaxy Medical College
  • Live Scan Fingerprinting

Galaxy Medical College does not provide licenses to Pharmacy Technicians students or graduates from our program. Pharmacy Technician licenses are only issued by the CA State Board of Pharmacy.

Graduates from GMC’s Pharmacy Technician program receive diplomas which qualify them for licensure from the CA State Board of Pharmacy.

Click here for the CA State Board of Pharmacy application for Pharmacy Technicians.

Click here to complete the NPDB self-query report (required by the CA State Board of Pharmacy for licensure).

Our Program

At-A-Glance:

  • Program Length: 45 Weeks
  • Class Size: 12 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Retention Rate: 97% (Source: 2018-2019 Annual Reports)
  • Job Placement Rate: 87% (Source: 2018-2019 Annual Reports)
  • Morning & Evening Classes Available
  • Diploma Awarded Upon Completion
  • Hands-On Training
  • Excellent Externship Program
  • Free Uniforms & Backpacks
  • Financial Aid Available!

Additionally, we are one of only a few institutions that also offers Nonsterile Compounding and IV Preparation Continuing Education (CEU) Courses for Pharmacy Technicians.

Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of the training program, graduates will:

  • Define the differences between the hospital and retail, private and chain, pharmacy setting.
  • Demonstrate ethical conduct in all duties performed.
  • Understand the laws that govern pharmacy, whether federal or state mandated.
  • Interpret physician orders and prescriptions.
  • Prepare and distribute medications.
  • Define medical and pharmaceutical terms, and common abbreviations.
  • Understand the pharmacology of medications in relation to the anatomy affected.
  • Perform pharmaceutical calculations.
  • Communicate effectively with patients and medical professionals.
  • Understand the importance of confidentiality of all patient information, including HIPPA guidelines.
  • Process insurance billing and/or collect payments.

Occupation/Job Titles

Upon graduation, some of the occupations/job titles Pharmacy Technician program graduates will qualify for after licensure include (but are not limited to):

  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Pharmacy Clerk
  • Medication Technician

For a detailed job profile, please visit O*NET’s summary report for Pharmacy Technicians here.

Federal Gainful Employment Disclosure

View this program’s Federal Gainful Employment Disclosure here.

Career Profile

Description

Pharmacy Technicians receive written prescriptions or requests for prescription refills from patients. They also may receive prescriptions sent electronically from the doctor’s office. They must verify that the information on the prescription is complete and accurate. To prepare the prescription, technicians must retrieve, count, pour, weigh, measure, and sometimes mix the medication. Then, they prepare the prescription labels, select the type of prescription container, and affix the prescription and auxiliary labels to the container. Once the prescription is filled, technicians price and file the prescription, which must be checked by a pharmacist before it is given to the patient. Technicians may establish and maintain patient profiles, prepare insurance claim forms, and stock and take inventory of prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Duties
  • Collect information needed to fill a prescription from customers or health professionals
  • Measure amounts of medication for prescriptions
  • Package and label prescriptions
  • Organize inventory and alert pharmacists to any shortages of medications or supplies
  • Accept payment for prescriptions and process insurance claims
  • Enter customer or patient information, including any prescriptions taken, into a computer system
  • Answer phone calls from customers
  • Arrange for customers to speak with pharmacists if customers have questions about medications or health matters
Demand

Pharmacy Technician employment is projected to grow 9% from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations.

Increased demand for prescription medications will lead to more demand for pharmaceutical services.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Average Working Hours

The average work week is 5 days a week, 8 hours a day. Overtime may be applicable.

Physical Demands
  • Standing: 90% of workday
  • Sitting: N/A
  • Walking: 10% of workday
  • Lifting: 5 pounds maximum
  • Carrying: 5 pounds maximum
  • Reaching: No more than 1 foot
  • Neck Movement: 20 degrees maximum
  • Talking: Interaction with patients, employees or supervisor.
Typical Environment
  • Inside: 100%
  • Temperature: Average climate for office setting
  • Hazards: Anticipated to be minimal
Machines, Equipment, & Work Aids
  • Telephone
  • Photocopier
  • Calculator
  • Fax machine
  • Computer
  • Labeling machine

Program FAQ

What do Pharmacy Technicians do?

Pharmacy Technicians receive prescriptions and must verify information, prepare medication, labels and containers. Additionally, Technicians must price and file the prescription and often establish and maintain patient profiles, prepare insurance claim forms, and inventory all medications. A more detailed description can be found under the Pharmacy Technician Career Profile.

How long is the Pharmacy Technician program?

45 Weeks

When does the program start?

We have 4 start dates annually.

Do you offer externships?

Yes, all of our programs include an externship. Click here for more information.

Do you offer financial aid?

Yes. See our Financial Aid page for more information.

Is GMC accredited?

Yes. You can find our accreditation and approval information here, as well as on the ABHES website and BPPE website.

Is job placement assistance available?

Yes, we offer career counseling and planning services at GMC and are proud of our 85% institutional job placement rate.

What do I get when I finish?

Upon successful completion of the Pharmacy Technician program at GMC, graduates will receive a diploma.

What is the difference between a certification & a diploma?

The difference is often a preference or intention of use. Students may be advised to enroll in one or the other depending on what they intend to do with the specific education or skills gained.

A certificate program is usually shorter in length, probably a couple of months, after which a certificate is granted stating completion of the program. Certification programs focus more on a general idea of job skills as opposed to specialty skill development in healthcare areas. Certification programs often lack hands-on training or externships, which give students practical clinical experience and a chance to practice the skills defined in the classroom. In many states, certification programs may limit job placement opportunities and be a barrier in obtaining state licensure or national certification, depending on state and organization.

Diploma programs are longer in duration, ranging anywhere from months to years to complete. As a result, they also often cost more. A diploma will be awarded after the successful completion of the program as defined by specified grades or marks in the sequence of courses. Diploma programs tend to include more courses within the program of study, giving students the opportunity to gain knowledge in various areas of practice associated with their chosen field. Students who complete diploma programs tend to have many job opportunities available and may apply for a variety of job titles associated with their program. (Please refer to our programs page for detailed job titles). Diploma programs also give students hands-on training and externship opportunities and are often a better qualifying method when applying for state licensure or qualifying for a national certification

What is state licensure and how do I get it?

In some states, like California, Pharmacy Technicians need to be granted state licensure through the respective Board of Pharmacy. More information on California’s licensure for Pharmacy Technicians can be found here.