09/29/23
Gadsden State’s Adult Education Services to offer free training for pharmacy technicians
Gadsden, Ala. — Gadsden State Community College’s Adult Education Services is offering a free 12-week program for those wanting to work as pharmacy technicians. The new program begins Oct. 10.
“We have about 8,000 pharmacy technicians in the state of Alabama and there are still vacancies to fill,” said Hollie Patterson, director of Adult Education Services. “There is a demand for pharmacy technicians in Alabama and beyond.”
Pharmacy technicians locate, dispense, pack and label prescription medication for a patient. It is then reviewed for accuracy by a pharmacist before the medication is dispensed to the patient. They might also help pharmacists with administrative tasks, such as processing insurance claims, tracking inventory and filing paperwork. They work in pharmacies that are found in drug stores, general merchandise retailers, grocery stores and hospitals.
“Pharmacy technicians are very important to pharmacies,” she said. “The position requires attention to detail, professionalism and integrity. They provide vital functions in support of the patient care efforts of the pharmacy team.”
Classes are offered in Gadsden and Anniston on Tuesdays and Thursdays each semester. The Gadsden classes are taught from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Ralls Hall on the East Broad Campus. The Anniston classes are from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Adult Education Services Building at the Ayers Campus. Students will be required to complete online modules in addition to the in-person instruction. The first cohort is limited to eight students.
Upon completion of the Pharmacy Technician Program at Gadsden State, learners will be prepared to take the test to receive the credential of certified pharmacy technician through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Tutoring is available.
“The program will cover every topic required for certification and for the exam,” she said. “It will also cover job acquisition, job retention skills and contextualized math instruction.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Alabama ranks No. 5 among all states for having the highest concentration of pharmacy technician jobs. Kentucky has the highest ranking followed by West Virginia, Florida and Tennessee.
The median pay for pharmacy technicians in 2022 was $37,790 a year or $18.17 an hour. Nationwide, there are 459,600 pharmacy technicians. The expected growth for this position by 2032 is 6 percent.
For more information or to register, contact Patricia Watts, Gadsden State instructional specialist/success coach, at 256-832-1235 or pwatts@gadsdenstate.edu.