Pharmacy Technician
If you’re interested in a rapidly growing career in healthcare with ample employment opportunities and want to work with people outside of a clinical setting, then consider a career as a pharmacy technician. Pharmacy technicians serve an important role in the healthcare industry, assisting people with obtaining needed medications and documenting conditions and allergies. Working under the direction of a certified pharmacist, a pharmacy tech accurately enters patient information and prescriptions in the database, prepares corresponding medications, and provides information.
The Pharmacy Technician program will prepare you for the roles and responsibilities of working in retail, call centers, hospitals, and pharmacies. You will learn a variety of entry-level pharmacy operation skills, as well as procedures, interpersonal skills, and regulatory standards. Our instructors will teach you patient and medication safety procedures for handling medications and filling orders, procurement, billing, reimbursement, and inventory management. You’ll also gain familiarity with pharmacy technology and informatics database software.
After completing 200 hours of in-person externship at a clinical partner site to conclude the program, you’ll be able to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.
Make your career as a pharmacy technician happen. Start your journey today.
Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.
| Accelerated Pharmacy Technician |
Fast Track Certificate, which can be completed in two semesters or less.
Instructor Meet and Greet
18th Street Campus
Join us in-person every Wednesday starting October 4 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the 18th Street campus for a chance to meet with the instructors and learn more about the program!
- Check-in at the 18th Street front dest when you arrive. Enter the building through the double glass sliding doors and make an immediate right to the front desk inside Suite 110.
- Please arrive early. Arrival of more than five minutes late will result in not being permitted to attend.
- Sessions are not held when GateWay is closed for a holiday.
Click here to pre-register
SouthWest Skill Center
Join us in-person every Wednesday starting September 6, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the SouthWest Skill Center for a chance to meet with the instructors and learn more about the program!
- Check-in at the SouthWest Skill Center front desk when you arrive.
- Please arrive early. Arrival more than five minutes late will result in not being permitted to attend
- Sessions are not held when GateWay is closed for a holiday.
Click here to pre-register.
GateWay Community College is the only college to offer the Pharmacy Technician clock hour program in the Maricopa County Colleges. As a clock hour certificate program, you will gain the skills for quick entry into the workforce. The clock hour training programs have specific year-round start dates and typically meet daily Monday-Thursday.
Our program is a Pharmacy Technician Certification Board approved training program. Students who complete the program will be eligible to take the PTCE or exCPT certification examinations.
Virtual Information Sessions
If you are interested in this Healthcare program, you will be required to attend a Virtual Information/Advising Session that will provide in-depth information and enrollment guidance.
Information Session: Thursdays from 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Click Here To Get Your Virtual Meeting Link
Watch the video below to learn about the Pharmacy Technician Program at GateWay Community College.
Program Location
18th Street Location
SouthWest Skill Center (Arroyo Hall)
Program Cost Estimates*
Certificate of Competency in Accelerated Pharmacy Technician: $2,691 | 424 hours / 4 months
*Months based on 24 hours a week/4 weeks a month. Actual completion times may vary. Costs include tuition, lab and estimated book fees. Amount based on current estimates and will vary. A separate $15 Registration Fee will be charged per academic year. This program is not eligible for financial aid.