---
title: "Insights Into Pharmacy Technician Schools & Training"
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/insights-into-pharmacy-technician-schools-training/"
type: post
date_published: 2015-08-28
date_modified: 2025-12-26
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 636
reading_time: 4 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/insights-into-pharmacy-technician-schools-training/"
categories:
  - AZC Healthcare Programs
topic:
  - Pharmacy Technician
---

# Insights Into Pharmacy Technician Schools & Training

You may be toiling away at a dead-end career or fresh out of high school,
looking for a more direct route into a career you can love, but in either case,
exploring vocational schools and accredited training programs, such as
[Pharmacy technician schools](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/all-programs/pharmacy-technician/)
can be the catalyst. At [Arizona College](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/), we
want you to be aware of what to expect as you think about beginning your
journey. Keep reading to find out a little bit more about what a pharmacy
technician is, and what their day-to-day activities include.

**What’s a pharmacy technician and what does one do? **

A pharmacy technician works within a team supervised by a licensed Pharmacist.
Their day-to-day responsibilities include preparing and dispensing prescriptions
for customers and healthcare professionals. Depending on where a technician
works, they may interact directly with customers or work in a non-customer
facing role.

On a typical day, pharmacy technicians receive a patient’s prescription, create
or update the patient’s profile in a computer database, then review the contact
and insurance information. During this time, the technician makes note of any
particular drug allergies and verifies any medications the patient’s taking.

Specific duties will obviously vary depending on the technician’s work
environment but will most likely involve the use of computer hardware/software,
data processing, inventorying drugs for expiration dates and supply,
communicating with physicians’ offices, and operating cash registers.

**What Skills Do I Need to Have? **

Being a pharmacy technician requires a strong blend of administrative, medical
and customer service skills—in addition to being able to work in a fast-paced
pharmacy setting. Technicians working in mail-order pharmacies aren’t required
to interact with customers and therefore don’t need to possess or contribute the
same customer service skills as their retail and hospital technician peers. So,
if you enjoy a quieter, consistent work environment, consider going the
Mail-Order route upon certification.

**What should I look for and expect in a pharmacy technician school? **

Looking for pharmacy technician schools can be overwhelming, though a necessary
first step into the world of healthcare. Here are some important qualities to
consider for the school of your choosing:

° Training in modern pharmacy laboratories

° Lectures from experienced pharmacy technicians

° Hands-on lab work led by experienced pharmacy technicians

° Pharmacy management software training

Program lengths are another important factor to consider as everyone has their
own situations and responsibilities. Arizona College offers a 34-week course.

**Here’s the breakdown:**

° 30 weeks of Pharmacy Technician coursework

° 4 weeks of Externship program** **

**What will I learn in pharmacy technician school?**

Coursework will vary between pharmacy technician schools, but our curriculum
focuses on anatomy principles ranging from the Cardiovascular System to
Digestive and Respiratory Systems; Pharmacy practices like Retail Pharmacy and
Inventory to Hospital Pharmacy Management; and Pharmacy Computer courses such as
Superscript Pharmacy Management Software and Microcomputer Concepts and
Keyboarding. Upon completion of the full coursework, you’ll progress to the
externship part of our program.

**Do I Need to Become Certified? **

You’ll need a Trainee License from the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy to
participate in our Externship program after your 30 weeks of coursework. Our
Externship program provides hours of real world, hands-on experience working
with different prescription drugs and processes. The Trainee License allows you
to work as a pharmacy technician for two years. You’ll need a Certified License
after two years. Read further on the
[Pharmacy Technician Certification Process](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/all-programs/pharmacy-technician/certification-information/)
.

#### So, if you’re itching to challenge yourself educationally and pave a career path in rewarding industry, use the Request Information form to start your journey today!

---

_Information in this blog post is accurate as of August 28, 2015._

**Categories:** AZC Healthcare Programs