Sometimes, a career change can improve our outlook on life and increase our income.
It doesn’t always take several years of school.
Learn how to become a Pharmacy Technician in Mississippi.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Mississippi
As of 2022, the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy states that you must register to work in this position.
However, the Board no longer requires Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification.
Check with the state before you start school, however.
Requirements may change. Besides, healthcare employers typically do require certification.
That’s one way they evaluate who are the best candidates for hire.
You also must renew your certificate every year.
In addition, you will need to prove that you have not gained unauthorized access, usage or distribution of prescription drugs.
This includes for yourself or another person.
5 Pharmacy Technician Schools in Mississippi
1. Mississippi State University Extension
The Mississippi State University Extension offers continuing education for students seeking or renewing Pharmacy Technician certification.
You can complete this coursework as fast as you want and in a maximum time of 12 months online.
This training prepares you to take your national certification exam.
Additionally, you have the chance to gain experience via an externship.
It includes a 100-hour, hands-on training period that teaches you how to handle drug inventory and package prescriptions for patients.
2. Mississippi College
Mississippi College offers a continuing education Pharmacy Technician program.
You can participate in this coursework online and prepare for PTCB national certification. 
In addition, this instruction could also help you gain a National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) certification.
After program completion, you will have developed skills to secure an entry-level position at a retail pharmacy shop.
Alternatively, you could work in a public or private medical center pharmacy department.
3. East Mississippi Community College
This East Mississippi Pharmacy Workforce Training will provide you with skills for work assisting a Licensed Pharmacist.
Your time spent here will prepare you to order supplies and prepare prescriptions for patients.
In addition, you will manage medical records, which you may have to retrieve when helping a person seeking treatment.
Just in case you have to mix medications, this training will prepare you to perform this task under Pharmacist supervision.
Sterilization of beakers, bottles, and other containers also may be a task you will perform.
You’ll become confident in all infection control procedures required for these responsibilities.
4. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC)
This MGCCC training program doesn’t provide college credit.
However, it does prepare you to take the PTCB exam.
This instruction includes both online, lab, and clinical time during this 100-hour coursework.
You will know how to make sure a pharmacy has all the necessary supplies, and you will practice preparing prescriptions.
In the process, you’ll identify the most common drugs used and fulfill any duties allowed per Pharmacist supervision and orders.
To make the most out of this program, you’ll want to network with local employers.
Find out from your instructors who is hiring and how to prepare for a career with them.
5. Jones College
Jones College offers a Pharmacy Technology program that lasts about five semesters.
You will complete lab, clinical, and classroom hours to prepare you for work in a hospital or retail setting.
This training will help you if also employed as a Medical Assistant or a Patient Care Technician.
In addition, you can use this coursework to enhance your nursing career if that’s your chosen path.
You will earn an Associate in Applied Science when you finish this training.
It offers you knowledge and experience beyond what a certificate would provide.
For instance, you’ll become aware of FDA testing and receive extensive side effect information.
Your training even prepares you for deciphering the codes pertaining to drug classifications.
In addition, it introduces you to thorough dosage calculation information.
You don’t necessarily need to attend this long of a program to find a job.
However, it will prepare you for future studies if you decide to become a Licensed Pharmacist.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Mississippi
Top 5 Schools in Mississippi
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Mississippi State University Extension | 517 Highway 145 N, Suite 1, Aberdeen, MS 39730 |
| Mississippi College | 200 S Capitol St, Clinton, MS 39056 |
| East Mississippi Community College | 1512 Kemper St, Scooba, MS 39358 |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) | 51 Main St, Perkinston, MS 39573 |
| Jones College | 900 S Court St, Ellisville, MS 39437 |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Mississippi
A July 2022 update reveals that you can make an average yearly income of $32,378 in Mississippi as a Pharmacy Technician.
Your entry-level salary will range from $29,197 to $36,129.
Continued education and advanced certificates will raise your annual earnings to more than $39,543.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Pharmacy Technicians in Mississippi
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Jackson | $33,401 |
| Gulfport | $32,800 |
| Biloxi | $33,000 |
| Hattiesburg | $32,600 |
| Greenville | $33,100 |
| Meridian | $33,000 |
| Tupelo | $31,400 |
| Southaven | $34,500 |
| Vicksburg | $33,000 |
| Pascagoula | $32,800 |
Regional Salary in Mississippi
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS | 460 | $39,810 | $19.14 | $47,860 | $30,970 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 210 | $35,860 | $17.24 | $44,460 | $28,710 |
| Jackson, MS | 930 | $39,430 | $18.96 | $46,490 | $31,270 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a degree to become a Pharmacy Technician in Mississippi?
No, you do not.
You can enroll in a workforce-based or certificate program sponsored by potential employers.
This will help you find full-time employment even before you graduate.
How long does becoming a MS Pharmacy Technician take?
You can find full-time work in less than a year while continuing to seek certification.
What career advancement opportunities does a Pharmacy Technician have?
You could use your experience to become a Pharmacist if you want.
Otherwise, you could pursue nursing or another patient care position.
What can a Pharmacy Technician do and not do?
You can assist with medication preparation.
However, you cannot give detailed medical advice or write prescriptions.
