Do you want a career change but don’t want to spend several years in school?
If so, learn how to become a Pharmacy Technician ìn Rhode Island.
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Licensing Requirements to Become
The Rhode Island Health Department does require you to have a license.
The state expects you to have it within a year of the last time you registered.
If you don’t, you must fill out a new application.
You also need to apply for a RI license if you already have one in another state.
This requires an approval process.
When seeking a Rhode Island school, make sure the training prepares you for certification.
A popular choice for entry-level Pharmacy Technicians in RI is to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification exam.
It certifies you for work as a Certified Pharmacy Technician.
You also can seek credentialing through the National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA).
You may want to consult the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) too.
They provide detailed assistance on proper certification steps.
Additionally, the NABP can refer you to resources that would prepare you to become a Pharmacist.
5 Pharmacy Technician Schools in Rhode Island
Program availability changes from time to time.
Make sure you contact your school of choice to learn about current course offerings.
1. Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI)
You can complete the CCRI Pharmacy Technician program in as few as 16 weeks.
It includes 180 hours of classroom time and 120 hours of time in an externship.
A current 2022 offering advances you up to the Pharmacy Technician II level.
Your CCRI training will teach you both beginning and advanced drug information.
Learn how to identify different medications and what their brand and generic names are.
Also, this schooling will show you safe drug administration best practices.
2. Center For Workforce and Community Education
This organization provides you with classes to make you employment ready.
A program offering includes PTCB certification exam prep.
Your Pharmacy Tech training through this workforce-based institution comes with a virtual externship as well as a chance to fulfill 100 clinical hours.
Learn Pharmacy skills for either Level I or Level II positions.
This includes how to calculate dosage amounts and proper sanitation in any healthcare environment you work in.
Your training will also include legal and ethical issues associated with handing out drugs to patients.
This RI workforce center will also refer you to other educational resources offered in your location.
3. NetCE
You can take continuing education courses through NetCE. Duration and times vary.
CE courses offered through this online learning center help you maintain a certificate you already have.
They also help you stay current in healthcare technology.
Learn about safe medicine handling, for instance.
You can help pharmacists provide the right treatment while preventing drug dependency.
In addition, you will receive education on pharmaceutical ethics and how to process patient prescriptions.
4. MedCerts
This online training will help you most if you already have a certification.
Check out the offerings they might have for new students too.
MedCerts offers 100% online video training.
You can use the resources they provide to help you pass your PTCB credentialing body certification exam.
It’s a convenient way to refresh your certificate and receive the latest healthcare technology updates.
5. Elite Learning
Elite Learning offers you a mix of courses on different topics related to the health industry.
Use these courses for certification or recertification but verify ahead of time if the courses you plan to take will cover PTCB exam materials.
Topics covered include how to safely administer opioids to patients and correct antibiotic usage.
You can also take CE courses covering dosage proportions and ratios.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Rhode Island – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Rhode Island
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) | 400 East Ave, Warwick, RI 02886 |
| Center For Workforce and Community Education | CCRI Knight Campus, 400 East Avenue, Warwick and the Liston Campus, One Hilton Street, Providence. |
| NetCE | |
| MedCerts | |
| Elite Learning |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Pharmacy Technician salaries range quite a bit.
You can make an average of $39,226 per year with annual incomes ranging from $35,372 to $43,770.
If you continue gaining experience and keep learning, your income could reach more than $43,000 per year.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Pharmacy Technicians in Rhode Island
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Providence | $39,101 |
| Warwick | $39,100 |
| Cranston | $39,100 |
| Pawtucket | $39,100 |
| East Providence | $39,100 |
| Woonsocket | $39,100 |
| Coventry | $39,100 |
| North Providence | $39,100 |
| Cumberland | $39,100 |
| West Warwick | $39,100 |
Regional Salary in Rhode Island
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 1,870 | $42,430 | $20.4 | $53,060 | $35,250 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Rhode Island Pharmacy Tech licensing cost?
The state license application fee is $25. Certification exam costs vary and depend on your experience level.
Do you need a degree to be a Pharmacy Tech in RI?
No, you don’t. You will benefit from the vast opportunity offered when you earn at least one certificate though.
More jobs would be available to you if you become certified.
You also will have fewer restrictions and require less supervision if you acquire formal training and certification.
How much does RI Pharmacy Tech training cost?
Certificate training usually only costs less than $5000.
Seeking advanced training to become a Pharmacist, which requires six to eight years of schooling and a Bachelor’s degree and graduate training, will cost you 2-3 times more.
What is the usual trading path for RI Pharmacy Techs?
Someone in this field usually starts by exploring learning options that prepare them for their desired certification.
This usually includes preparation for the exam that you need to pass before you acquire your license.
