Embarking on a career as a pharmacy technician is one of the more sensible options that you could choose. However it is very important to note that there are different rules governing pharmacy technicians in different states. What this means for you is that you have to enroll in pharmacy technician programs in New Jersey if you want to increase your chances of meeting all of the educational requirements for your state. Although formal education is not strictly speaking a requirements and on-the-job training is a possibility, employers prefer to hire those candidates who are able to show that they have taken the initiative and engaged in pharmacy technician training.
Overview
There are a number of pharmacy technician programs in New Jersey to choose from, although it is not the state with the most options on offer. Generally speaking you will have the opportunity to choose between face-to-face classroom situations and online and distance learning options. As a pharmacy technician in New Jersey you will be able to do the following:
- You will be able to receive and fill prescription orders
- You will be responsible for ensuring accurate pill count and labeling
- You will be responsible for matching patients to the correct medications
- You will be responsible for keeping stock and inventory of medications
These tasks will be performed under the supervision of an actual pharmacist.
Pharmacy Technician Training In New Jersey
To be a pharmacy technician in New Jersey you must be 18 or older and be able to speak effectively in English. In the past a high school diploma was required, but “as provided in the statute (N.J.A.C. 13:39–6.6(d)), all persons who were employed as a pharmacy technician as of September 4, 2007 are exempt from this requirement”.
There are several fees involved:
- You will need to pay a $50 application fee
- You will need to pay a $70registration fee
These fees are paid to the N.J. Board of Pharmacy. You will also have to undergo a background check before you can become a pharmacy technician in this state. Although there are no educational training requirements in order to become a pharmacy technician in this state, it is recommended that you enroll in one of the pharmacy technician programs in New Jersey as this will make you more marketable to employers.
Pharmacy Technician Careers In New Jersey
There are currently around 6, 210 pharmacy technicians employed in the state of New Jersey, which is quite a high number given the density of the population. Consequently we can infer that there are many employment opportunities for a pharmacy technician interested in training and working within this state. In addition to the already high numbers of pharmacy technicians employed in this state, there is also a projected growth of 31% for the profession in New Jersey, meaning that future pharmacy technicians will stand an even better chance of finding adequate employment in this state. As states go, this is one with more options for students and individuals looking to pursue a career in this particular line of work and provides several educational opportunities.
List Of Pharmacy Technician Programs In New Jersey
There are a number of different pharmacy technician programs in New Jersey that are available. Some of the more well-known options are listed below:
Schools In New Jersey
Everest Institute
Bensalem
Pharmacy Technician Program
South Plainfield
Pharmacy Technician Program
Kaplan Career Institute
Broomall
Pharmacy Technician Program
Omega Institute
Pennsauken
Pharmacy Technician Program
Harris School
Linwood
Pharmacy Technician Program
Online Schools
Keiser University eCampus Online
Associate of Arts in Health Services Administration
Correspondence Schools
Penn Foster Career School
Pharmacy Technician Program
Ashworth College
Pharmacy Technology Program
As compared to some other states, there are not a lot of options in the state of New Jersey for students who hope to become pharmacy technicians. However it is interesting to note that one can study through online schools and programs or even through distance education options in order to become a pharmacy technician in this state. This certainly broadens the options that students living in New Jersey have when it comes to their pharmacy technician training options. Even if schools are limited, the number of jobs that are available for pharmacy technicians in New Jersey is fairly high, meaning that employment is practically guaranteed once you have qualified.
Salary
According to pharmacytechs.net the average salary for pharmacy technicians who are based in New Jersey is in the region of $29,480 a year. Salaries can differ between cities, however. Cbsalary.com has some different salary numbers to report on a city-by-city basis:
- In Asbury Park you can expect to earn around $37, 804 a year
- In Millville you can expect to earn around $32, 680 a year
- In Atlantic City you can expect to earn around $35, 187 a year
- In Monmouth you can expect to earn around $36, 666 a year
- In Bergen you can expect to earn around $41, 967 a year
- In Monroe Township you can expect to earn around $37, 804 a year
- In Bordentown you can expect to earn around $38, 286 a year
- In Morristown you can expect to earn around $36, 334 a year
- In Bridgeton you can expect to earn around $32, 680 a year
- In Ocean City you can expect to earn around $35, 716 a year
- In Bridgewater you can expect to earn around $37, 804 a year
- In Parsippany you can expect to earn around $36, 334 a year
- In Camden you can expect to earn around $38, 286 a year
- In Passaic you can expect to earn around $41, 967 a year
- In Cape May you can expect to earn around $35, 716 a year
- In Phillipsburg you can expect to earn around $32, 802 a year
- In Cherry Hill you can expect to earn around $38, 286 a year
- In Princeton you can expect to earn around $35, 970 a year
- In East Brunswick you can expect to earn around $37, 804 a year
- In Somerset you can expect to earn around $37, 804 a year
- In Freehold you can expect to earn around $37, 804 a year
- In Toms River you can expect to earn around $37, 804 a year
- In Hackensack you can expect to earn around $41, 967 a year
- In Trenton you can expect to earn around $35, 970 a year
- In Jersey City you can expect to earn around $41, 967 a year
- In Vineland you can expect to earn around $32, 680 a year
- In Marlton you can expect to earn around $38, 286 a year
- In Wall Township you can expect to earn around $36, 666 a year
- In Middlesex you can expect to earn around $37, 804 a year
The cities with the highest salaries, according to citytowninfo.com in New Jersey are Camden, which has 1,210 pharmacy technicians who are paid $27,880 a year, Ocean City, which has 80 pharmacy technicians who are paid $27,840 a year, Newark, which has 2,230 pharmacy technicians who are paid $29,120 a year, Vineland, which has 90 pharmacy technicians who are paid $27,510 a year, Trenton, which has 370 pharmacy technicians who are paid $28,090 a year, Edison, which has 1,790 pharmacy technicians who are paid $28,920 a year, and Atlantic City, which has 190 pharmacy technicians who are paid $28,270. In terms of pay, New Jersey is a fairly good state in which to be a pharmacy technician. There may be states that pay better, but New Jersey has a wider selection of employment options than many other states.
Clearly becoming a pharmacy technician is a good option for students living in the state of New Jersey as the salary is good and there are a number of options open to them in terms of employment. Although the actual pharmacy technician programs in New Jersey are somewhat limited, there are still a number of high quality options available to students who are interested in pursuing a career in this particular area of the health care industry. Correspondence and online courses from other states may allow you to become a pharmacy technician outside of New Jersey.