Overview

Overall the opportunities for pharmacy technicians, as well as students who want to become pharmacy technicians, in Maryland are very good. There are a number of good schools to attend and the career outlook is also excellent, considering the fact that this is an industry growing at a rate of more than 30%. The salary for pharmacy technicians in Maryland is also a very compelling reason to pursue this career in this state.

Pharmacy Technician Training In Maryland

The first step in your pharmacy technician training in the state of Maryland is to complete high school. In Maryland it is impossible to become a pharmacy technician if you do not have a high school diploma, although an equivalent GED is also acceptable.

You will then need to complete one of the state approved pharmacy technician programs in Maryland. It is extremely important that this program is properly accredited because, if it is not, you hard work as well as the money you paid for the program will not get you anywhere. These programs include:

• Classroom instruction, or theoretical training
• On the job hands-on training to give you experience in an actual pharmacy environment

Although there can be significant differences in program length depending on the school you attend, they should not take longer than six months to complete. A good program is one that includes at least 160 hours of on-the-job training, preferably more, as this will be the most valuable learning experience you will encounter during your pharmacy technician training. At the end of your program you will complete an exam. A list of approved course providers can be found at http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/pharmacyboard/verifications/TechProgram.htm.

You will then to complete a criminal background check. To start off with you will need to request that a criminal background check package be sent to you. This can be done online through the DHMH pharmacy technician registration website. The package will include all the information that you need in order to complete the background check, including where the package must be sent. You must:

• Give detailed information on your past (particularly criminal matters)
• Complete a fingerprint car
• Submit the package to the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services branch

Complete the registration form which you can download and print the application from the DHMH pharmacy technician registration website. With the form you must send:

• Proof that you’ve completed your education program
• Proof that you’ve passed the exam
• A registration fee of $45

Pharmacy Technician Careers In Maryland

At the moment the career outlook for pharmacy technicians in Maryland is extremely good. The average annual salary that a pharmacy technician working in this state can expect to earn is about $30,230 a year. At the moment there are about 6,350 pharmacy technicians employed in this state, indicating that it is a fairly popular state to work in with quite a high density of jobs to choose from. It is also a good state for new pharmacy technicians to seek employment in as there is an expected growth of 31% for jobs in this industry in this state. The most popular degrees in Maryland for pharmacy technicians are the Associate’s degree offered by several pharmacy technician programs, as well as the Certificate program. In general any occupation in the healthcare profession is one that is well worth pursuing. Time and time again we have seen the healthcare industry remain strong while all other industries buckle under economic pressures. This is because healthcare will always be needed. Physical therapy is also a growing profession, growing at a far faster rate than most other industries at the moment. Job stability is therefore a guarantee.

List Of Pharmacy Technician Programs In Maryland

Other states offer more pharmacy technician programs than Maryland, but the programs in Maryland have a very good reputation. In addition to the schools located within the state there are also several online and correspondence options which broaden your horizons considerably. However it must be kept in mind that many students require guidance from a lecturer or professor and do not cope well working on their own. Consider your abilities carefully before enrolling in an online or distance education program.

Schools in Maryland

TESST College of Technology:
The city in which this school is located: Baltimore
The program offered by this school: Pharmacy Technician
Often considered to be the best of the pharmacy technician programs in Maryland, this programs will:
– Prepare you with the knowledge, technical skills, and work habits required in this field
– Prepare you for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE) sponsored by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)

Everest College:
The city in which this school is located: Woodbridge
The program offered by this school: Pharmacy Technician

YTI Career Institute:
The city in which this school is located: Altoona
The program offered by this school: Pharmacy Technician – Diploma

Online Schools

Ultimate Medical Academy Online:
The program offered by this school: Health Sciences Associate (Pharm. Tech.)
The program offered by this school: Pharmacy Technician Diploma

Keiser University eCampus Online (Gragg):
The program offered by this school: Associate of Arts in Health Services Administration

Correspondence Schools

Ashworth College:
The program offered by this school: Pharmacy Technology

Pay

The average amount of money that you can earn as a pharmacy technician in Maryland is about $38,226 a year. However there are differences in salary from city to city:

• In Annapolis you can expect to earn about $38,087 a year
• In Frederick you can expect to earn about $42,944 a year
• In Baltimore you can expect to earn about $38,087 a year
• In Gaithersburg you can expect to earn about $42,944 a year
• In Bel Air you can expect to earn about $35,187 a year
• In Hagerstown you can expect to earn about $38,087 a year
• In Columbia you can expect to earn about $38,087 a year
• In Rockville you can expect to earn about $42,944 a year
• In Cumberland you can expect to earn about $30,620 a year
• In Salisbury you can expect to earn about $35,415 a year
• In Forest Hill you can expect to earn about $38,087 a year

The various salaries that you can earn once you have completed one of the pharmacy technician programs in Maryland are fairly good, making it a great career to pursue. Remember that there are a number of other factors that may affect the salary that you earn, including:

• The employer you work for
• The industry you work in
• The level of education you have achieved
• Your gender

Consequently the salary can vary on a job-to-job basis and the above are simply guidance figures.

Maryland is a good state in which to become a pharmacy technician as there are several good schools on offer. In addition you can earn a fairly good salary as a pharmacy technician in whichever state you choose to work in, making it one of the best lines f work to pursue if you are interested in becoming closely involved in the medical industry. When choosing pharmacy technician programs in Maryland ensure that they are properly accredited and meet all of the required standards and certification requirements.

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