Colorado Pharmacy Tech School – CO

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: February 21st, 2010

While there are no legally mandated educational requirements, there are some classes and degrees that will help you land a job and become a better pharmacy technician.

Programs offered by Colorado pharmacy technician schools can last between six months to two years and includes a regimen of pharmacology, chemistry, drug preparation, law, medical terminology and drug reaction studies. Participating in a school-authorized clinical externship under the supervision of a pharmacist will not only help you understand the job better, but give you contacts that could possibly springboard into a full-time career.

After completing your online training or attending one of the Colorado pharmacy technician schools, you may choose electively to become a nationally certified pharmacy technician, which is done through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB; 2215 Constitution Ave. NW; Washington, DC 20037; www.ptcb.org). You only need a high school diploma to sit for the certification exam, and if you pass, you will become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). If you want to remain certified, you must take continuing education courses and renew your certificate every two years.
Pharmacy technician associates degrees are granted through junior or community colleges and take two years. Diploma programs last a year and are often used by students with associate’s degrees in a related healthcare field who decide to pursue pharmacy technology.

Continuing Education Requirements for a Pharmacy Technician in Colorado

There are no laws concerning continuing education for pharmacy technicians in Colorado. (Pharmacists themselves must take 24 hours each renewal cycle to keep their licenses.)

However, as new medications are constantly being brought to market and studies are frequently finding new issues with side effects and interactions with other drugs or supplements, keeping abreast of these issues will make you a more valuable resource to your employer.

There are many timely continuing education courses available online and live through organizations such as NPTA. These include legal issues surrounding medical marijuana, the H1N1 virus, stem cell research and intercultural communication. You might consider approaching your employer to pay for the courses, as it will increase your knowledge when speaking with customers. In any case, there is a never ending supply of information for you to learn, and you are encouraged to continue your education of your own volition whether you are required to or not.

Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Pharmacy Techs in Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora and Lakewood, Colorado may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including Memorial Hospital Central, Penrose Hospital, and Denver Health Medical Center.