Virginia Pharmacy Technician Schools and Programs

American National University (ANU), a private institution with campuses across the United States, has a long history of providing career-focused education. Known for its commitment to flexible and accessible learning, ANU caters to a diverse student body, including working professionals. The university emphasizes hands-on training and practical knowledge to prepare students for in-demand careers.

ANU’s Pharmacy Technician Program is a comprehensive, hybrid offering that combines online coursework with in-person lab experiences. Spanning approximately 12 months, this program is tailored for individuals seeking a dynamic and adaptable learning format. It aims to equip students with the practical skills necessary for roles in retail and clinical pharmacy environments.

The program delves into crucial areas like pharmacology, prescription processing, and pharmacy law, ensuring a robust understanding of the pharmacy field. It includes a clinical externship, providing real-world exposure and practice.

Bremo Pharmacy, an independent pharmacy operating in Richmond, Virginia since 1976, offers an ASHP-accredited Pharmacy Technician Training Course. This program meets the Virginia Board of Pharmacy’s requirements and prepares graduates for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam, essential for licensure in Virginia.

The course comprises up to 426 credit hours, divided into three segments: a 136-hour online, self-paced didactic portion; up to 65 hours of in-person simulation training at Bremo’s Training Center; and a 224-hour supervised internship in a real pharmacy setting. This structure offers flexibility, allowing most students to complete the program within 12 months.

Key topics covered include pharmacology, prescription processing, and pharmacy law, with practical skills honed through simulation and internship experiences. Enrolment prerequisites include a high school diploma, a minimum score of 70% on reading comprehension and math pre-assessment exams, and access to a computer with internet capabilities.

Germanna Community College (GCC), located in Virginia, offers a Pharmacy Technician Career Studies Certificate program designed to prepare students for certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The program is approved by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy and is currently in candidate status with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council on Pharmacy Education (ACPE).

This one-year certificate program is offered at the Kevin L. Dillard Health Sciences Building at the Stafford County Center. Upon completion, graduates are prepared and eligible to sit for the pharmacy technician certification exam.

The curriculum covers essential topics such as medical terminology, pharmacology, and pharmacy techniques and procedures. Key courses include HLT 143: Medical Terminology, HLT 250: General Pharmacology, and HLT 261: Basic Pharmacy I and II, which include lab components. Additionally, students gain practical, on-the-job experience through a coordinated internship arranged by Germanna.

Inova Health System, a leading nonprofit healthcare provider in Northern Virginia, offers a comprehensive Pharmacy Technician Training Program. This 10-week program combines hands-on experiential training with a lecture series, preparing individuals for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam. Notably, participants receive full-time pay and benefits during training, with no prior pharmacy experience or licensure required—only a high school diploma or GED.

The curriculum covers essential topics such as basic pharmaceutics, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, pharmacy operations, billing, special medication handling, inventory control, emergency preparedness, sterile and non-sterile compounding, unit-dose packaging, communication, and calculations. Upon successful completion and PTCB certification, graduates can pursue full-time positions as pharmacy technicians within Inova’s hospitals, retail, or specialty pharmacies.

Inova’s pharmacy department supports a vast network of inpatient and outpatient care sites, employing over 450 pharmacy professionals across 12 pharmacy settings, including hospital, infusion, retail, and specialty pharmacies. The department utilizes advanced technology, such as automated dispensing cabinets and IV robots, and emphasizes education and research through partnerships with multiple schools of pharmacy.

J.T. Pharmacy Technician Training Program, based in Virginia, offers a comprehensive 400-hour Pharmacy Technician Certificate Course accredited by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

The program includes 125 hours of hybrid didactic training, 50 hours of simulated lab experience, and 225 hours of experiential training through externships with Walgreens Pharmacy.

The curriculum covers essential topics such as pharmacy law, calculations, pharmacology, aseptic techniques, and insurance billing, preparing students for the PTCB exam and careers in both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy settings. Enrolment requires passing a basic math skills assessment.

Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC), located in Charlottesville, Virginia, offers a Pharmacy Technician Career Studies Certificate program designed to train individuals for entry-level positions in various pharmacy settings. The program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and approved by the Virginia State Board of Pharmacy.

The curriculum encompasses courses such as Introduction to the Role of Pharmacy Technician, General Pharmacology, Basic Pharmacy I and II with corresponding labs, a coordinated internship, and a capstone project, totaling 20 credit hours.

This comprehensive training prepares students to sit for the national certification exam and pursue careers in community pharmacies, institutional pharmacies, long-term care facilities, and mail-order facilities.

Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC), located in Cedar Bluff, Virginia, offers a Pharmacy Technician Career Studies Certificate program designed to prepare students to assist licensed pharmacists in various healthcare settings. The program is available at SWCC’s Lebanon Center and emphasizes practical skills necessary for roles in hospital, retail, home health care, nursing home, clinic, nuclear medicine, and mail-order prescription pharmacies.

The curriculum includes courses such as Basic Pharmacy I and II, along with corresponding lab components, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of pharmacy operations. A notable feature of the program is its partnership with PioneerRx Pharmacy Software, allowing students to train using industry-standard technology widely implemented in independent pharmacies. This hands-on experience enhances both clinical and functional skills, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the demands of the profession.

Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination, a credential that can significantly enhance employment prospects. Additionally, the program requires students to undergo a background check from the Department of State Police by the end of the first semester, aligning with industry standards for professional practice.

Tidewater Community College (TCC), located in South Hampton Roads, Virginia, offers a Pharmacy Technician Career Studies Certificate program designed to prepare students for roles in various pharmacy settings. The program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).

The curriculum includes courses such as Introduction to the Role of Pharmacy Technician, General Pharmacology, Basic Pharmacy I and II with corresponding labs, and a coordinated internship, totaling a minimum of 17 credits. This comprehensive training equips students with the necessary skills to order, stock, package, prepare, and dispense medications under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

Upon completion, students are prepared to take the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination to become Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhT). The program is offered exclusively on the Portsmouth Campus and cannot be completed online. Admission is selective, requiring a separate application in addition to general admission to the college.

Prospective students must have a high school diploma or GED and place into Math 111 or equivalent and English 111. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with cohorts starting in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Wytheville Community College (WCC), located in Wytheville, Virginia, offers a Pharmacy Technician Career Studies Certificate program designed to prepare students to assist licensed pharmacists in various healthcare settings. The program spans two semesters and is approved by the Virginia State Board of Pharmacy.

The curriculum includes courses such as Basic Pharmacy I and II, Medical Terminology and Disease Processes, General Pharmacology, Ethics for Health Care Personnel, and a Coordinated Internship in Pharmacy Technician. In total, students complete 26 credit hours, gaining both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible to take national certification exams, including the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE) and the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT). This certification enhances employment opportunities in settings such as hospitals, retail pharmacies, home healthcare, nursing homes, clinics, nuclear medicine, and mail-order prescription pharmacies.