Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists dispense prescription medication. They work under the supervision of pharmacists, who must review all prescriptions before they are given to patients. If a customer’s question is about the medication or health matters, the pharmacy technician arranges for the customer to speak with the pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians working in hospitals and other medical facilities prepare a greater variety of medications, such as intravenous medications. They may make rounds in the hospital, giving medications to patients. Pharmacy technicians typically do the following:

• Count and measure amounts of medication for prescriptions
• Compound or mix medications, such as preparing ointments
• Package and label prescriptions
• Accept payment for prescriptions and process insurance claims
• Help with office work, such as answering phone calls from customers.

Students will learn how to assist the pharmacist in a simulated retail or hospital setting. Training will include: inventory, ordering, labeling, storing, distributing medicines, working with the patient records, billing information, gathering information for the pharmacist, and distribution of printed information to the patient.

This program is made up of two parts. Part 1 is in Class and Lab Training (250 hours). Part 2 is a Pharmacy Technician Externship Training (200 hours). Students who successfully complete this training at MTECH will be eligible to take the national exam. After passing the national exam, students may apply to become a licensed Pharmacy Technician in the State of Utah. Students must complete the license application process with the State of Utah within two years (24 months) of the program start date. Externships allow the student to go to an on-site pharmacy setting, where they observe and assist in the daily tasks with the pharmacist in a retail or hospital pharmacy. Students will be responsible to arrange their own externship site in coordination with the program instructor.

Our Pharmacy Technician Program partners with PioneerRx, the top pharmacy management system in the industry. PioneerRx enhances our curriculum with a hands-on approach to learning that simulates the functions and workflow of today’s most innovative pharmacies. For more information, visit PioneerRx.

The MTECH Pharmacy Technician program is ASHP accredited and PTCB-Recognized. 

  2020 National Exam Pass rate

1. MTECH Program Certificate in Pharmacy Technician.
2. Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) Utah State Pharmacy Technician Licensure (not required for completion).
3. Students will be prepared to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) National Pharmacy Technician Certification or the National Health Career Association (ExCPT) National Pharmacy Technician Certification.

  Registration Eligibility: Adults and high school seniors only.

Registration Availability: Registration for Fall 2021 opens April 20, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. online on the MTECH Student Portal and remains open until classes are full. It is recommended to create your MTECH Student Portal account in advance.

  Program Length: 450 hours or 4 months.

  Times: Mornings, Afternoons and Evenings. See schedule details below.

  Locations: MTECH Lehi Main and Spanish Fork Campuses.

  High School Students: Students should coordinate with home high school counselors prior to registration.

  Prerequisites: Students are required to take the MTECH Entrance Assessment and score a passing rate of: Math: 2: English: B or provide alternative documentation to prove competency. The Entrance Assessment is free and takes about an hour to complete. To learn more visit mtec.edu/testing.  

  New Student Orientation: Students must complete the brief MTECH New Student Orientation prior to first day of class.  To learn more visit mtec.edu/nso.

Any student 18 yrs of age or older must complete and pass a background check before beginning the externship.

All students, regardless of age, must complete a drug screen. Illicit drug use, criminal background checks, and immunization status may prevent future employment as a pharmacy technician, and externship sites, employers, and State Boards of Pharmacy have regulations about drug use and criminal backgrounds.

Utah law requires that a student working in a pharmacy as part of a pharmacy technician training program must first obtain a Pharmacy Technician Trainee License. The trainee license application and more information will be distributed to students at the mandatory orientation.

VERY IMPORTANT: High School seniors will be required to pay tuition beginning June 1, 2021 for the remaining hours necessary to complete the externship hours at $2.10 per hour.

Mandatory Orientation Meeting for Registered Students. 

Students are required to attend, in person, one of the orientation meetings listed below to receive their Pharmacy Technician enrollment packet, Pharmacy Technician trainee license criteria, and other important information. No appointment required. The dates, locations and times for Fall 2021 are as follows:

• • Wednesday, July 7, 2021 @ 10:00 am or 6:00 pm, OR
  • Monday, July 12, 2021 @ 10:00 am or 6:00 pm

          Locations for both days and times:

• • Lehi Campus, room 203
  • Spanish Fork Campus, room 108

Important note: High School seniors will be required to pay tuition beginning June 1, 2021 for the remaining hours necessary to complete the externship hours at $2.10 per hour.