Chances are you want to make more money without having to attend school for three or four years.
If so, you may decide that learning how to become a Pharmacy Technician in Florida fits your career goals.
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- Licensing Requirements to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Florida
- Important Notes About Approved Training
- 4 Pharmacy Technician Schools in Florida
- 1. Florida Career College
- 2. Baptist Health Center for the Advancement of Learning
- 3. University of Florida Health (UF Health)
- 4. University of West Florida (UWF)
- Pharmacy Technician Schools in Florida – Summary Table
- Top 4 Schools in Florida
- Pharmacy Technician Salary in Florida
- Frequently Asked Questions
Licensing Requirements to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Florida
The Florida Board of Pharmacy describes a list of requirements you must meet before becoming a Pharmacy Technician in this state.
For instance, you need to complete training that the Board approves.
Important Notes About Approved Training
Your Florida training must match requirements set by the Security of the United States Department of Education.
This includes taking coursework that has the proper accreditation, such as the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
If your school is eligible for federal or state financial aid, there’s an excellent chance it meets Florida Board requirements.
Established retail pharmacies and well-known medical centers also know what mandatory training you need to take before working for them.
Take advantage of the resources offered by these entities to set you on the correct training path.
Additional rules apply concerning the courses you should take to become a Pharmacy Technician in FL.
Please check out the resources posted on the Board of Pharmacy’s website.
Don’t sign up for any classes until you’re 100% positive they meet all state and federal requirements.
This will save you time, frustration, and money upon registering for classes and working toward securing gainful employment in Florida.
4 Pharmacy Technician Schools in Florida
Consider this list of schools as possibilities.
You need to confirm that the training they provide does meet the appropriate agency standards.
Future healthcare employers also must recognize the training they’d receive.
1. Florida Career College
Florida Career College offers a 10-month hybrid (online and in-class) Pharmacy Technician certificate program.
You’ll learn the medical background that supports your work, and you’ll gain practical experience in processing patient prescription orders.
You’ll also have the chance to seek a sterile drug compounding certificate using this training.
In addition, you’ll learn how a pharmacy department in both a hospital and a retail store is run.
You must abide by certain ethical and legal standards too.
Information about that is also included in your training at Florida Career College.
2. Baptist Health Center for the Advancement of Learning
Baptist Health can send you on your way to becoming a Pharmacy Technician through its Scholars Program.
The school says this training has received approval from the Florida Board of Pharmacy.
You can complete the Baptist Health program full-time in 15 weeks.
Learn some of your introductory courses online. Then, spend time on group simulation exercises.
After that, you will begin your time in real-world pharmaceutical environments.
This career track will provide you with chances to experience both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy settings.
Learn all the ethics of working with medicines and prepare for labeling, packaging, and distribution to retail customers with prescriptions.
3. University of Florida Health (UF Health)
UF Health provides a Pharmacy Technician learning program that you can complete in 10 weeks if you attend full time.
It’s a small group of only up to eight trainees at once.
The UF Health Shands Pharmacy Department offers a tuition forgiveness program if you work for them for a year after you finish your training.
This probably offers you the quickest chance to receive the education required by the Florida Board of Pharmacy and is the fastest way to become employed full time.
You must meet certain performance requirements though.
4. University of West Florida (UWF)
UWF offers training that could employ you in as little time as four months performing limited tasks until you complete certification.
You will spend part of your time networking with a hospital, clinic, or pharmacy that needs your help.
That almost guarantees you’ll get hired as soon as possible.
Your UWF pharmacy training will take about 14 weeks, and licensed pharmacy workers teach it.
Your training equals 85 hours of classroom time and 80 hours of real-world (externship) experience.
You can complete background coursework online.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Florida – Summary Table
Top 4 Schools in Florida
School Name | Address |
---|---|
Florida Career College | 3285 FL-7, Margate, FL 33063 |
Baptist Health Center for the Advancement of Learning | 6855 South Red Road Suite 500 Coral Cables, FL 33143 |
University of Florida Health (UF Health) | 1329 SW 16th Street, Rm 1210 Gainesville, FL 32608 |
University of West Florida (UWF) | 11000 University Pkwy, Pensacola, FL 32514 |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Florida
A Florida entry-level Pharmacy Technician can make a yearly income of $35, 356 in 2022.
Your annual salary will range from $31,881 to $39,451.
As you continue your education and gain additional experience, you could make more than $43,179.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Pharmacy Technicians in Florida
City Name | Salary |
---|---|
Jacksonville | $35,300 |
Miami | $36,300 |
Tampa | $35,500 |
St. Petersburg | $35,500 |
Hialeah | $36,000 |
Orlando | $35,500 |
Fort Lauderdale | $36,200 |
Tallahassee | $33,800 |
Hollywood | $36,200 |
Pembroke Pines | $36,000 |
Regional Salary in Florida
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 1,040 | $42,540 | $20.45 | $50,460 | $36,170 |
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 300 | $40,810 | $19.62 | $47,610 | $35,520 |
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 920 | $37,970 | $18.26 | $46,950 | $30,720 |
Gainesville, FL | 670 | $43,050 | $20.7 | $51,360 | $34,640 |
Homosassa Springs, FL | 150 | $38,190 | $18.36 | $47,590 | $30,300 |
Jacksonville, FL | 2,390 | $41,230 | $19.82 | $48,330 | $34,270 |
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 1,140 | $39,430 | $18.96 | $45,870 | $32,670 |
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 11,190 | $43,370 | $20.85 | $55,680 | $36,160 |
Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | 510 | $41,540 | $19.97 | $49,560 | $36,160 |
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | 1,090 | $41,010 | $19.72 | $48,940 | $33,800 |
Ocala, FL | 440 | $38,840 | $18.68 | $46,680 | $31,360 |
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 5,680 | $40,270 | $19.36 | $47,460 | $34,900 |
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 840 | $40,530 | $19.48 | $48,480 | $30,690 |
Panama City, FL | 240 | $38,430 | $18.48 | $45,810 | $32,050 |
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 650 | $39,570 | $19.02 | $49,350 | $31,250 |
Port St. Lucie, FL | 550 | $39,610 | $19.04 | $46,490 | $34,270 |
Punta Gorda, FL | 220 | $39,530 | $19 | $46,970 | $34,480 |
Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | 230 | $39,600 | $19.04 | $46,240 | $32,660 |
Sebring, FL | 120 | $37,980 | $18.26 | $45,750 | $32,030 |
Tallahassee, FL | 580 | $36,660 | $17.63 | $45,100 | $30,090 |
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 5,610 | $43,440 | $20.88 | $52,010 | $32,330 |
The Villages, FL | 150 | $39,200 | $18.84 | $46,460 | $32,760 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to become a FL Pharmacy Technician?
You may not have to pay any money for your tuition if an employer covers the cost.
Otherwise, you can apply for federal or state financial aid.
A certificate program may run between $3,000-$5,000 if you do have to pay for it yourself.
How fast can I finish my Florida Pharmacy Tech training?
Some accelerated training solutions sponsored by employers may only take you four to six months.
If you want to earn an associate degree, that will take you two years or longer.
A typical learning path is to sign up for a certificate program that prepares you for hire within a year.
How do I register to become a Florida Pharmacy Technician?
You can apply for your license online through the Florida Board of Pharmacy website.
Fees depend on the time you decide to register and the type of certificate you seek.