• Medical Training Institute of New York
pharmacist smiling

Pharmacy Technician II

Course Overview

Pharmacy Technician II

A pharmacy technician II is a medical professional who has completed Pharmacy Technician I Program, and the state pharmacy technician training requirements. This can include an accredited pharmacy technician training program, completion of the PTCB, or Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, exam and experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Experience requirements may vary by state, but typically, pharmacy technicians have at least one year of experience working under a Registered pharmacist before advancing to pharmacy technician II.

The Pharmacy Technician program at MTINY provides students with the technical and practical training necessary to work as an Intermediate-level assistant to a licensed pharmacist.

Students will study pharmacy computing, medication preparation, inventory and billing, quarterly customer service care. The program seeks to prepare students to work under a licensed pharmacist’s supervision in the preparation and dispensing of medications, maintaining patient records, setting up, packaging, and labeling routine orders from stock supplies, and mixing drugs with parenteral fluids.

The core curriculum is structured to include a lecture component, a laboratory component, and an Internship component. The final externship portion of the curriculum consists of supervised experiences in a clinical environment, which requires competencies, logs, and evaluations completed by the student.

At the conclusion of the program, graduates who have diligently attended class and their externship and studied and practiced their Sterile Compounding skills should have the skills to seek employment as Pharmacy Technician II

Program Summary

What does a Pharmacy Technician do?

Pharmacy Technicians typically work for pharmacies, hospitals or health clinics to receive prescription orders from Physicians and fill prescriptions as needed. They work closely with Pharmacists and other Pharmacy Technicians to prepare prescriptions and help customers. Their job is to receive stock orders from pharmaceutical companies and review order requests from Physicians to determine new prescriptions or changes to existing customer prescriptions. They may also be responsible for helping customers update their contact or insurance information on file.

Pharmacy Technician skills and qualifications

A professional Pharmacy Technician should possess numerous skills in order to complete their duties effectively, such as:

  • Supply and inventory management skills
  • Attention to detail and analytical skills
  • Ability to create a safe and productive environment
  • Exemplary customer service skills
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills
  • Dependable team player
  • Advanced verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

What is a Pharmacy Technician II?

A pharmacy technician II is a medical professional who has completed the state pharmacy technician training requirements. This can include an accredited pharmacy technician training program, completion of the PTCB, or Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, exam and experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Experience requirements may vary by state, but typically, pharmacy technicians have at least one year of experience working under a certified pharmacist before advancing to pharmacy technician II.

Pharmacy Technician II

Here are some primary responsibilities for a pharmacy technician II:

  • Sterile IV Compounding
  • Chemotherapy Compounding
  • Using pharmacy equipment, including software
  • Using medical packaging and labeling prescriptions
  • Assisting with prescription preparation
  • Entering data for work reports and patient paperwork
  • Engaging customers and patients
  • Collecting and maintaining data
  • Following medical ethics codes
  • Storing and organizing medication
  • Locating correct prescriptions by name
  • Filing insurance paperwork

MTINY STERILE COMPOUNDING TRAINING

Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding

MTINY Sterile Compounding Provide students with a complete introduction to institutional pharmacy practice and practicing Pharmacy Technicians II with preparation for the new sterile compounding certification exam. Comprehensively covering sterile products, aseptic technique, and the workings of the sterile compounding facility, MTINY Sterile Compounding for Pharmacy Technicians II focuses on safe and effective practice. Our Pharmacy Technician II program has expanded and updated coverage to address preparation, processing, medications, technique, and documentation, with review, analysis, applications, waste management, workflow, safety and compliance, billing and reimbursement, and emergency management.

Our Hospital Pharmacy Practice Labs:

The Medical Training Institute of New York provides sterile compounding training programs for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians that are designed to meet current and emerging educational needs. MTINY sterile compounding training programs are based on current regulatory guidelines specified by USP <797> and USP <800> standards

MTINY strive to provide affordable access to high-quality education training programs, related to sterile compounding. Participants, who satisfactorily complete a program, receive a certificate of completion and will be allowed to sit for certification for Certified Sterile Processing technician (CSPT).

USP Pharmacy 797 and 800 Standard Compliance

USP 797 provides standards for compounding of sterile preparations while USP 800 provides standards for the safe handling of HDs to minimize exposure risks. USP 797 promotes the protection of the sterility of the drug, while USP 800 is focused on the safety of personnel who come in contact with the HDs. Together, USP 797 and 800 establish an environment for compounding drugs that reduces contamination risk and aims to increase safety for healthcare personnel, patients and the environment.

Hazardous Drugs—Handling in Healthcare Settings USP General Chapter <800> provides standards for safe handling of hazardous drugs to minimize the risk of exposure to healthcare personnel, patients and the environment

Hospital Pharmacy Practice Labs

IV Admixture and Aseptic Technique I

This course is an introduction to aseptic techniques and sterile production preparation in an institutional care setting. The devices and manipulation techniques necessary to maintain sterility and mechanics of a hospital pharmacy are discussed and practiced in IV Clean Room exercises.

IV Admixture and Aseptic Technique II

This course is a continuation of IV Admixture and Aseptic Technique I, focusing on the preparation of cardiac and other titratable drips, IV antibiotics, chemotherapy, large volume parenteral solutions, and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions. Students learn the basic indications, mechanism of actions of specific cardiac drugs, and calculations for selected drug concentrations. Proper technique for mixing and labeling thrombolytic, cardiac drips, and chemotherapeutic drugs are introduced. Laboratory sessions provide the opportunity for students to practice their techniques.

ENTRY-LEVEL
  • Prepare medications requiring compounding of sterile products.
  • Define and explain key elements of USP 797.
  • Collect the correct ingredients for sterile products requiring compounding.
  • Accurately determine the correct amounts of ingredients for a compounded product.
  • Compound sterile products using appropriate techniques, equipment, and devices.
  • Prepare medications requiring compounding of non-sterile products.
  • Compound non-sterile products using appropriate techniques.
ADVANCED-LEVEL
  • Introduce the rationale and development of TPN, chemotherapy, and intermittent infusion administration policies.
  • Demonstrate proper technique for mixing and labeling thrombolytic drugs.
  • Demonstrate proper technique for mixing and labeling cardiac drips.
  • Understand the basic indications, mechanism of action, and specific drugs in the cardiac class.
  • Calculate for specific drug concentrations, drip rates, and volume of cardiac medications needed for mixing.
  • Demonstrate proper technique for mixing and labeling chemotherapy.
  • Understand the basic indications, mechanism of action, and specific drugs in the chemotherapy class.
  • Demonstrate proper technique for mixing and labeling TPNs.
  • Understand the basic indications, mechanism of action, and specific drugs used for TPNs.
  • Calculate for specific drug concentrations and fluid volumes of drugs needed to mix a TPN.
  • Understand basic mixing and labeling requirements for compounded items.
  • Prepare medications requiring compounding of chemotherapy/hazardous products.
  • Compound cytotoxic and other hazardous medication products using appropriate techniques.
  • (Applying) Follow safety policies and procedures when disposing of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes.
  • Follow policies and procedures for sanitation management, hazardous waste handling (e.g., needles), and infection control (e.g., protective clothing).
  • Demonstrate skill in cleaning up a cytotoxic or other hazardous medication product spill using the accepted procedure.

PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY: OMNICELL AND PYXIS TRAINING

Hands-on Training with Pyxis and Omnicell

An area of great progress in Healthcare technology has been the wide adoption of automated dispensing cabinets for medications and supplies in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

This technology employs the use of storage units that operate somewhat like vending machines for medical products, but also have sophisticated software on the back-end that handles patient orders, medication dosing documentation, inventory management, and billing transactions. This course will cover automated dispensing cabinets as well as centralized pharmacy automation products.

pysis

In a hospital or other clinical setting, the units are installed at most units where patients are seen, such as General Medicine, ICU, the OR, and the ER. Supplies and/or meds are enclosed in the cabinets that are locked until the clinician accesses them.

Pharmacy Automation Jobs

If you are looking to get started in Healthcare IT, have basic technology skills, and are willing to travel, you have a decent chance of getting a job as an Implementation Consultant or Field Engineer. Having some Microsoft or Network+ certification helps, as well as having a Pharmacy Technician background. If you have programming and/or HL7 experience, then you would have a good chance at a developer position.

Community Practice Settings: Retail Store

This course is designed to provide skills necessary to effectively practice in retail stores (CVS/Walgreen Pharmacy) and ambulatory care settings. Students learn to interpret prescription contents, familiarize the top 100 drugs, inventory control procedures, tasks associated with procurement of pharmaceuticals, completing and filing records for third-party reimbursement, and requirements for completing and filing prescription records. Students are also introduced to non-sterile compounding.

woman inside the store
Admission Requirement: GED/High School Diploma

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

  • Orientation to Pharmacy Practice
  • Personal/Interpersonal Knowledge and Skills
  • Foundational Professional Knowledge and Skills
  • Processing and Handling of Medications and Medication Orders
  • Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding
  • Community Practice, Pharmacy, Record and Inventory Management
  • Patient Care, Quality and Safety Knowledge and Skills
  • Regulatory and Compliance Knowledge and Skills
  • Pharmacy Internship I: Community Practice Settings
  • Pharmacy Internship II: Institutional Care Settings
  • Career Development
  • PTCB/ASHP Exam Preparations

WHO WILL BENEFIT

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Those Considering Pharmacy School

If your goal is to become a Pharmacist, starting out as a Pharmacy Technician is a great opportunity to explore the Pharmacy field. You'll get the chance to work alongside Registered Pharmacist and PharmDs’ (Doctor of Pharmacist) in a variety of healthcare settings, earning invaluable experience and skills along the way.

doctor

Aspiring Medical Professionals

Working as a Pharmacy Technician gives many of us our first taste of working in the medical field. You might gain inspiration to continue that career path and get a more in-depth understanding of the medical world. It's okay to share this desire with your interviewer. It shows your dedication to the field and a willingness to learn

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Job Stability

Job outlook for Pharmacy Technicians

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technician jobs number around 422,000 in the United States and the agency expects around 4% growth over the next decade. That puts pharmacy technician jobs at about the national average for job growth. There is no specific data available on job outlook for individual certification levels, but some employers might prefer a pharmacy technician with a higher certification level like II or III, as they often can bring more advanced skills and knowledge to the job.

Pharmacy Technician Job Market Growth

The population is aging, and older people typically use more prescription medicines than younger people. Higher rates of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, among all age groups also will lead to increased demand for prescription medications. Advances in pharmaceutical research will allow for more prescription medications to be used to fight diseases.

In addition, pharmacy technicians will be needed to take on a greater role in pharmacy operations because pharmacists are increasingly performing more patient care activities, such as giving flu shots. Technicians will need to perform tasks—such as collecting patient information, preparing more types of medications, and verifying the work of other technicians—that were previously done by pharmacists

Salary for pharmacy technicians

The average national salary for a pharmacy technician is about $30,247 per year. However, pharmacy technicians with a higher education level or additional credentials may negotiate a higher salary. Some pharmacy technician positions may require more advanced knowledge or training, which can also affect their salary. For example, if a pharmacy technician works in a retail environment, they might also act as a retail sales associate besides a pharmacy technician.

A pharmacy technician working in a long-term care facility like a nursing home might also need first aid and CPR certification or other medical credentials to supplement their pharmacy technician skills, which could help increase their salary.

Pharmacy Technician II vs. III: What They Are and Their Differences

Pharmacy technicians often operate in a support role, providing administrative, clinical and clerical support to licensed pharmacists. There are multiple pharmacy technician certification levels, and each has its own education pathway, requirements, skills and duties. Understanding the difference between pharmacy technician II and III can help you determine if gaining additional certifications is an option for your career. In this article, we show you the roles of pharmacy technician II vs. III and highlight some of the key differences between the two career paths.

What is a Pharmacy Technician II?

A pharmacy technician II is a medical professional who has completed the state pharmacy technician training requirements. This can include an accredited pharmacy technician training program, completion of the PTCB, or Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, exam and experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Experience requirements may vary by state, but typically, pharmacy technicians have at least one year of experience working under a certified pharmacist before advancing to pharmacy technician II.

What is an Advanced Pharmacy Technician III?

A pharmacy technician III is a medical professional who has completed all the pharmacy technician I and II requirements and advances to the higher levels of study. A pharmacy technician III is typically the highest level of certification in the career path and requires more experience and training. Pharmacy tech III positions typically require a minimum of six months to one year as a pharmacy technician and up to three to five years of experience performing more advanced duties than pharmacy technician I or II. This might include light management duties or other duties as requested by the pharmacist.

Pharmacy technician II vs. III

Pharmacy technician II and III are very similar career pathways, with a few credentials, duties and experience requirements separating each specialization, for example:

Education and certification

Both pharmacy technicians II and III hold state certifications. The state certification process can vary by state, but typically it requires:

  • Completion of an accredited pharmacy technician course at an institution such as MTI of New York school
  • New York State licensing
  • PTCB certification

Both pharmacy technicians II and III study similar topics, including medical ethics, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry and pharmacology. These topics can help prepare you for a career in medicine as a support figure to the pharmacist.

Pharmacy technicians at all levels have the option to pursue higher education and advance to the position of a pharmacist. The education and experience they gain as pharmacy technicians can help prepare them for more advanced coursework and concepts and for managing a pharmacy

Work environment

Pharmacy technicians II and III work in similar environments. Some pharmacy technicians may work in a customer-service setting where others may work in a more private setting, such as online pharmacies. Here are some typical work environments for pharmacy technicians II and III

Retail pharmacy:

This is one of the most common workplaces for pharmacy technicians. Retail pharmacies include drug stores, department stores and standalone pharmacies. These pharmacy technicians may serve a dual role as pharmacy technicians and store associates

Online Pharmacies:

Online pharmacies deliver prescriptions directly to patients. Pharmacy technicians II and III perform many of the same duties as they would while working in retail or in a hospital.

Medical facilities:

Pharmacy technicians of both levels can also work in medical facilities such as hospitals, long-term care centers or nursing homes. These facilities may require additional skills and knowledge, like first aid or CPR.

Education:

Pharmacy technicians II and III can work to educate new pharmacy techs and help advise them on their career paths. They can work at private universities or technical schools or private company education centers.

Job duties

While pharmacy technician II and pharmacy technician III may perform similar duties, some key differences in their everyday responsibilities highlight the differences in education and skill level. These differences include:

Pharmacy Technician II

Here are some primary responsibilities for a pharmacy technician II:

  • Using pharmacy equipment, including software
  • Using medical packaging and labeling prescriptions
  • Assisting with prescription preparation
  • Entering data for work reports and patient paperwork
  • Engaging customers and patients
  • Collecting and maintaining data
  • Following medical ethics codes
  • Storing and organizing medication
  • Locating correct prescriptions by name
  • Filing insurance paperwork
Advanced Pharmacy Technician III

Here are some primary responsibilities for a pharmacy technician III:

  • Classifying pharmaceuticals
  • Preparing daily work reports
  • Supervising other pharmacy technicians
  • Ensuring the pharmacy team meets goals and expectations
  • Performing advanced prescription preparation
  • Performing performance evaluations for other technicians
  • Conducting quality assurance audits
  • Following state and local narcotics storage regulations
  • Answering patient questions and comments
  • Performing inventory maintenance and control
Instructors:

Genevieve-Marie Louis

Sterile Compounding Instructors:

Program Curriculum

Curriculum Summary

DOWNLOAD CURRICULUM (PDF)

THE MTI ADVANTAGE

  • State-of-the-Art Cleanrooms- UPS 797 and UPS 800
  • Experience Faculty and Staff
  • 100% Medical and Healthcare Programs
  • State-of-the-Art Medical Equipment’s
  • All instructors are Practitioners in their field
  • Workshops to enter the Workforce
  • Guaranteed Internships/Externships (Hands-on Training)
  • Affiliated with top Hospitals and clinics, Pharmacy Stores
  • Career Development Skill
  • Job placement Assistant

Total Program Cost

Program Pharmacy Technician II
Hours 750
Registration Fee $100
Tuition $3,600
Technology Fees $400
Clinical & Lab Fee $700
Total Program Cost $4,800

Fees

Registration Fee:

A non-refundable Registration Fee of $100 was due during registration to reserve a seat.

woman registering using laptop

Clinical/Lab Fee:

Clinical/Lab Fee is used to cover the cost of Liability insurance policy and student lab operations and to provide students with Liability Insurance at clinical rotation internship sites.

people doing lab work

Technology Fees:

Technology Fee provides students with Online Learning Resources, the learning management system, and the student portal.

nurse using computer

Books:

Students are required to purchase all textbooks on their own. Textbook costs are estimated at $800.00. Required books can be purchased from the school bookstore or online at portal.mtiofnewyork.com/stores.

book and stethoscope

Uniform Fee:

Students are required to purchase MTI logo Lab coat and scrubs on their own. MTI logo scrubs can be purchased from the school bookstore or online at portal.mtiofnewyork.com/stores.

health workers uniform

Tuition:

Certified Pharmacy Technician II is $1,467 for each of the program's three (3) quarters and a total of $4,800 for the entire program, with tuition payments due as follows:

students using laptops
Quarter Cost
Prior to Quarter 1 & 2 $4,800
Prior to Quarter 3 $1,600

Schedule of Sessions

9:00AM-1:15PM

Morning Classes

The Morning program will be 5 hours per day, Monday-Friday.

16-25 hours per week for approximately 30-47 weeks.

10:00 AM- 7:15 PM

Evening Classes

The Evening program will be 4 hours per day,

5 days per week, for approximately 38 weeks.

9:00AM- 5:00PM

Weekend Classes

The Weekend program will be 8 hours per day, Saturdays and Sundays,

16 hours per week for approximately 47 weeks.

Pharmacy Internship I: Community Practice Settings: Retail Store

The pharmacy technician internship is designed to enable students to obtain hands-on experience in a pharmacy setting. The primary objective of the internship is to be sure the student gains practical experience, knowledge, skills, and insight into the various aspects of the pharmacy technician job. It is structured to be a learning experience, so the student and preceptor/teaching personnel should commit themselves to working toward that objective. This internship brings together all of the academic knowledge gained in the classroom with practical hands-on participation in various pharmacy settings. The clinical experience gained at these sites is invaluable in ensuring that the student becomes a competent pharmacy technician in all settings. Evaluation forms for both the student and preceptor must be completed separately. Ambulatory care settings include chain pharmacy, independent pharmacy, and outpatient hospital/clinic pharmacy.

Pharmacy Internship II: Institutional Care Settings: Hospital

Pharmacy Technician Internship II is similar to the Community Practice externship except that students are exposed to pharmacy practice in a Hospital or institutional care setting. The primary objective of internship is to be sure the student gains practical experience, knowledge, skills, and insight into the various aspects of the pharmacy technician job in a structured learning environment. This internship brings together all of the academic knowledge gained in the classroom, with an emphasis on aseptic technique and sterile product preparation. Evaluation forms for both the student and preceptor must be completed separately. Inpatient settings include nursing home, inpatient hospital, and home infusion

Credentials:

Pharmacy Technician Exam Review and PTCB Exam Preparation

  • Course is designed to assist students with preparation for the national certification test with PTCB and NHA.
  • Practice tests are formatted similarly to the national exam (multiple-choice) relative to the curriculum taught.
  • Course content will include taking new prescriptions, assisting the pharmacist, record keeping, and preparing controlled substances for delivery.
  • Other tasks include understanding formulary, preparing and/or repackaging medications, calibrating equipment, and calculations

Frequently asked questions about Pharmacy Technician

What is the difference between a Pharmacy Technician and a Pharmacist?
The difference between a Pharmacy Technician and a Pharmacist lies in their education requirements, subsequent job responsibilities and levels of seniority. For example, Pharmacists typically earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree before passing a licensure exam and completing a residency period. In contrast, Pharmacy Technicians usually earn an associate degree or a one-year degree from a pharmacy diploma program. Because of their differences in education, Pharmacists hold more seniority and typically delegate tasks among Pharmacy Technicians and other personnel. Further, Pharmacists have the qualifications to provide insightful advice to customers regarding their current prescriptions, symptoms and additional medications or food items that they shouldn’t consume with their prescriptions.  
What are the daily duties of a Pharmacy Technician?
On a typical day, a Pharmacy Technician starts by reviewing incoming order requests from Physicians in the local area. They also check the pharmacy’s voicemail to review missed messages from pharmaceutical companies, customers or Physicians. Throughout the day, Pharmacy Technicians work with pharmacy personnel to retrieve the correct medication and dosage amount to fill prescription orders.  They interact with customers at the service counter or at the pharmacy’s drive-through to check on prescription orders and retrieve ready prescriptions. Pharmacy Technicians may also provide customers with information regarding their prescription, like the correct time to take their medication.
What qualities make a good Pharmacy Technician?
A good Pharmacy Technician has a personable nature that allows them to deliver excellent customer service to pharmacy customers. They make an effort to greet customers in a friendly manner and answer their questions, whether they need to refer to the Pharmacist or inquire with their Physician. Further, a good Pharmacy Technician enjoys working as part of a team and helps their coworkers by filling in when they’re sick or taking on additional responsibilities to maintain pharmacy operations. A good Pharmacy Technician should also have an ethical code that enables them to deny customers additional medications or advanced prescription refills. 
Who does a Pharmacy Technician report to?
A Pharmacy Technician typically reports directly to the Pharmacist or Head Pharmacist to complete tasks and receive directions. In larger pharmacies, Pharmacy Technicians may report to a Pharmacy Technician Supervisor. Pharmacists who work within hospitals or healthcare facilities may report directly to the Facility Manager.