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Online Pharmacy Technician

This course provides an introduction to the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for entry-level pharmacy technicians in both community and health-system pharmacy settings. Students will explore the roles and responsibilities of pharmacy technicians, order entry processing, pharmacy law and regulations, medication safety, and foundational pharmacology. Emphasis is placed on prescription processing, pharmacy calculations, medication distribution systems, inventory management, and the use of drug information resources.

Students will also develop proficiency in interpreting medication orders, understanding common drug classifications, and applying pharmaceutical calculations used in pharmacy practice. The course introduces sterile and non-sterile compounding concepts, medication error prevention strategies, and professional communication within the healthcare team.

National Certification: As certification is increasingly required by hospitals and employers, this course prepares students for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE)—a nationally recognized certification administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and valid for two years. Practice exams are included to help students build confidence and readiness for the in-person, computer-based certification exam.

More information can be found here

Licensure: In New York State, licensure is mandatory for all certified individuals seeking employment in a hospital setting. To be licensed as a registered pharmacy technician in New York State you must:

be of good moral character;
be at least 18 years of age;
have completed high school or its equivalent; and
have received certification from a nationally accredited pharmacy technician certification program.

The specific requirements for licensure are contained in Title 8, Article 137-A, Section 6844 of New York's Education Law and Part 63 of the Commissioner's Regulations.

CVS Partnership: CPS is proud to partner with CVS Pharmacy to provide valuable career opportunities for our students. Through this partnership, eligible students may be considered for internship placements and may also be referred for interviews with CVS upon successful completion of the program.

As part of this course, CPS will coordinate and host a Zoom information session with representatives from CVS. This session provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about the company, explore available employment and internship opportunities, review position requirements and the application process, and engage directly with CVS representatives during a live Q&A.

We strongly encourage you to take full advantage of this valuable partnership and the professional opportunities it may offer as you advance in your pharmacy technician career. Please note that all hiring and internship decisions are made solely by CVS, not CPS.

Course Description

This 75-hour online course provides a comprehensive review of the core knowledge and skills required to become a Pharmacy Technician. Students are introduced to the fundamental principles of pharmacy practice, including patient care, pharmacy law and regulations, basic pharmacology, and foundational concepts in anatomy and pathophysiology.

As national certification is increasingly required by hospitals and other employers, this course is designed to prepare students for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE). The PTCE is a nationally recognized credential administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and is valid for two years. To support exam readiness, the course includes practice examinations and targeted review activities to help students build confidence and prepare for the in-person, computer-based certification exam.

Course Objectives

The student will learn applied and practical information on pharmacy technician skills necessary to pass the PTCB national certification examination and to function effectively in the workplace. Successful completion of the course will enable students to register for the PTCB certification exam.

More information can be found here

Course Delivery

This course is fully online via Zoom and using Brightspace.

Eligibility Requirements

To enroll, applicants must:

Be at least 18 years of age
Hold a high school diploma or equivalent and a good command of Basic Math and PreAlgebra skills
CPS is a workforce training program; you must be able work legally in the U.S.

Required Language and Computer and Digital Competency

English Language Proficiency: This course involves extensive use of medical terminology and complex concepts. Students must be able to communicate effectively in English and demonstrate the ability to understand and follow both written materials and live lectures presented in English. 1

Computer, Digital and Online Proficiency: As this is an online course, students must possess basic computer literacy and be comfortable using various digital tools and platforms. Participants should be able to navigate the internet, access video conferencing applications such as Zoom and Brightspace, and work with common file types and software, including Microsoft Word, PDF files, and PowerPoint.

Students should also be able to upload and download files, open and close applications, read online documents, manage multiple open windows, access online textbooks, and use search engines effectively. The ability to create online accounts, access online services, and utilize multimedia tools within computer applications is required.
Students must be capable of reading and interpreting reference materials, performing basic numerical analysis, and learning new computer applications efficiently. The course requires the ability to use multiple software programs simultaneously in an online learning environment.

Required Textbook

We have two instructors for Pharmacy Technician. Each uses a different textbook. Please make sure to check with the instructor before purchasing a book.

Danny Roman: The Pharmacy Technician, Eighth Edition Perspective Press, ISBN: 9781640437524.

Elone Winston: Mosby's Pharmacy Technician: Principles and Practice 7th ed ISBN-13: 9780323734073. Available on Amazon

Tuition

Tuition: $775

Registration Fee: $25

Total: $800*

*Textbooks and PTCE exam fees are not included in the tuition cost.

Instructor

Danny Roman

Mr. Roman became a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) in 2010 and has been teaching Pharmacy Tech at City College since 2012, with 2 years prior experience teaching at Hostos Community College. Mr. Roman also worked in a hospital pharmacy from 2020 to 2022 at Saint Anthony’s Charity Hospital (SACH) in Warwick, NY.

Elone Winston

Dr. Elone Winston holds a Doctorate in Health Sciences and is a pharmacy education leader and healthcare workforce development strategist with more than 12 years of experience in pharmacy practice, health-system operations, public health leadership, and pharmacy technician education. He serves as the Program Director for Pharmacy Technician Education and Advancement at Mount Sinai Health System, where he co-founded and leads the health system’s pharmacy technician training program.

Dr. Winston specializes in developing innovative curricula designed to prepare pharmacy technicians for expanded and advanced roles in health-system practice, with a focus on certification readiness, sterile compounding, regulatory compliance, and technician career ladder development.

At the national level, Dr. Winston contributes to the advancement of the pharmacy technician profession through his work with The Pharmacy Technician Society as a member of the Career and Leadership Committee and as a participant on a job analysis panel for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, helping to shape competency standards and certification frameworks that guide technician practice across the United States.

Dr. Winston has been teaching pharmacy technician courses at City College since Summer 2023.

Career Outlook

Pharmacy technicians play a vital role in today’s expanding healthcare system, supporting pharmacists in preparing medications, managing prescriptions, and ensuring patient safety. As more patients rely on prescription drugs, specialty medications, and pharmacy-based clinical services, the demand for trained pharmacy technicians continues to rise.

Employment for pharmacy technicians is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by an aging population, the expansion of retail and hospital pharmacy services, and increased need for skilled support staff in medication management. With nearly 50,000 job openings each year, pharmacy technicians enjoy strong job security and diverse workplace options, including retail pharmacies, hospital systems, specialty pharmacies, long-term care facilities, and mail-order or online pharmacy services.

A pharmacy technician certification also opens the door to long-term career growth. Many technicians advance into roles such as:

Lead or Senior Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technician Supervisor
Compounding Technician
Specialty or Oncology Pharmacy Technician
Billing & Claims Specialist
Pharmacy Inventory Manager
Pre-Pharmacy student or pathway to Pharmacist (PharmD)

With national certification and training, students gain a strong foundation for a stable, meaningful career at the center of patient care and medication safety.