PHARMACY
TECHNICIAN STUDENT
SUPPORT GUIDE
Updated March 2012
Table of Contents
Introduction ........................................................................................................... 3
Features and Benefits ........................................................................................... 4
Skills and Admission Requirements ...................................................................... 5
Demonstration of Program .................................................................................... 5
Products................................................................................................................ 5
Upgrade Information: Optional Text ...................................................................... 6
Student Support Overview .................................................................................... 7
Points of Contact ............................................................................................... 8
Description of Contact ....................................................................................... 8
Frequently Asked Questions ............................................................................... 11
Graduate Services .............................................................................................. 14
Pharmacy Technician Student Support Guide 2
Introduction
Who is Career Step?
Career Step is a leading online education company. Career Step enjoys a tremendous
market advantage in the industry by virtue of its reputation as an innovative, competencybased training company offering high-quality training designed to prepare students for entry
into the workforce. Career Step is committed to helping each student graduate and
successfully transition into a rewarding career. Career Step has been providing education
for nearly twenty years and is headquartered in Provo, Utah.
The Pharmacy Technician program offered by Career Step will be highlighted in this
resource guide.
Commitments:
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Provide affordable quality education that fully prepares graduates for successful
employment in their area of study.
Recruit highly qualified content experts to write and update industry-relevant,
skills-based curriculum.
Invest in expert technical personnel and technologies to provide state-of-the-art
delivery of quality curriculum, which makes learning interesting and successful.
Set and maintain competency-based standards for skills assessment/graduation
to assure successful transition from education to career.
Partner with quality educational institutions to provide community-based
enrollment opportunities that combine affordability, local student/graduate
support, expanded services and complete ready-to-use curriculum.
Develop and maintain active partnerships and collaboration with industry
employers to ensure industry-relevant curriculum, encourage student/graduate
networking opportunities, provide quality products and services, and maximize
employment opportunities for graduates.
Assemble a dedicated team of student and graduate support professionals who
provide students and graduates with expert support services.
Pharmacy Technician Student Support Guide 3
Features and Benefits
Train at Home
Career Step offers quality online training that teaches the skills necessary to work
successfully as a pharmacy technician in almost any community. The pharmacy technician
course is accessible 24/7, allowing flexible study times.
Growing Job Market
The demand for Pharmacy Technicians trained by Career Step is growing! According to the
U.S. Department of Labor, pharmacy technician employment is expected to grow by 31%
by 2018. Visit http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos325.htm#projections_data for more information.
Flexibility
Career Step enjoys favorable name recognition nationwide, which allows our graduates to
successfully find employment.
The 24/7 nature of many pharmacies offers you the opportunity to find a flexible schedule
that accommodates many different lifestyles.
Complete Training in a Relatively Short Period
Most careers require years of schooling and an expensive college degree to earn a
reasonable income. Career Step provides an opportunity to study at home for a
comparatively small investment. Career Step students set their own pace. Training fulltime, a student can be done in four to six months. Enrollment includes six full months of
program access. If more time is needed, extensions are available.
Externships
Career Step has externship partnerships with Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy. These
partnerships provide eligible Career Step students an externship with one of these retail
pharmacies as long as positions are available in their local areas.
After gaining a solid foundation of pharmacy technician knowledge in the course, the
externship program offers the opportunity to begin gaining hands-on experience. Students
can start their externship before they graduate, smoothing the transition from classroom to
workplace and helping to cement the skills they’re learning in the training program with
hands-on experience.
Pharmacy Technician Student Support Guide 4
Skills and Admission Requirements
Essential Skills for Pharmacy Technicians:
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Medical Language
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Understanding of insurance processes
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Ability to perform calculations for dosing, compounding, flow rates, etc.
Admission Requirements:
Students must have a minimum of a high school diploma or a General Education
Development Certificate (GED). Students must be beyond the age of compulsory high
school attendance as prescribed by Utah law. Students must agree to abide by the rules
and regulations set forth in the Enrollment Agreement. Strong skills in the reading, writing,
and speaking of standard American English are recommended.
Demonstration of Pharmacy Technician Program
To receive demo access to the Career Step pharmacy technician training program, contact
the Academic Partners Account Managers. They can be reached toll free at: 1-888-3554144 Option 3 or at accountmanager@careerstep.com.
Products
The pharmacy technician training program provides all the resources necessary to develop
the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as a pharmacy technician.
Enrollment includes:
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In-depth, online training modules that prepare students for work as pharmacy
technician and allow them to learn at their own pace.
Unlimited student and technical support from qualified professionals, including
extended hours for immediate support.
Lifetime access to networking opportunities in Career Step's student forum and
chat room.
Pharmacy software (imbedded in the program) which gives students practice
performing specific pharmacy functions.
Career Step certificate of graduation upon graduation.
Pharmacy Technician Student Support Guide 5
Upgrade Information: Optional Text
The Career Step program is designed to be an online, interactive experience. The online
pages are not designed to be printer-friendly, but we offer optional text companions as an
aid to learning. The text companions contain six books.
Online Modules Included in Text Companion
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Pharmacy Law, Regulations, and Standards
Business of Pharmacy
Prescriptions
Pharmacology
Retail Pharmacy Practice
Pharmaceutical Calculations
The text companion serves several purposes:
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It is a convenient alternative when students cannot be online. It can be taken on a
trip, to the kids’ ballgames, to the doctor’s office, etc.
It reinforces the online information. While the text companion is not an exact
reproduction of the online program, it does cover the same information and contain
the same exercises. Many times, seeing the information presented a couple of
different ways improves learning.
It enables students to take physical notes, highlight important information, etc.
It becomes a lifetime reference. Long after program access expires, the books
remain on the shelf as a permanent source of information.
The text companion is intended as a supplement to—not a replacement for or duplication
of—the online program. Students should plan on primarily using the online program. For
instance, the text companion does not contain any of the tests, so students need to
complete those online.
The online platform and format allow for immediate updates, changes, and addition of
material. The print format is not as flexible, and students will find differences in the two
versions. Whenever students encounter a discrepancy between the two versions of the
information they should defer to the online material because it contains the most up-to-date
content.
Pharmacy Technician Student Support Guide 6
Student Support Overview
Availability
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Student Support: Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m. –5 p.m. Mountain time
Direct hotline: 1-888-657-5752
Curriculum: Rebekah Hutchins and Michelle Freeman
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Technical Support: Mon.–Fri., 7 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sat., 12 p.m. –4 p.m. Mountain time
Direct hotline: 1-888-657-5762
Contact Means
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Phone
Email
Forum (public or private message)
Moderated Chat
Other (letter, fax, walk-in, etc.)
Response Time
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Phone: Immediate (or same-day return call if a voicemail is left, next day if voicemail
is left at end of day or after business hours).
Email: 1-2 business days, usually same day.
Forum: Usually same business day.
Chat: Immediate if advisor is available.
Moderated Chat: Immediate (within chat timeframe).
Pharmacy Technician Student Support Guide 7
Points of Contact
Timeframe
Contact
Consultation /
Webinar Name
Schedule
(Mountain time)
Day of enrollment
Email
Day after
enrollment
Email & Phone Call
In Program
Orientation
module
Webinar
Orientation
Webinar
Available 24/7 in
the program
30 days after
enrollment
Email & Letter
60 days after
enrollment
Email
90 days after
enrollment
Email
Start of
Calculations
module
Webinar
Calculations
Webinar
Available 24/7 in
the program
After final exam
prep module
Webinar
Pre-final Webinar
Available 24/7 in
the program
Day After
Graduation
Email
If passing score is
not achieved on
the final exam
Phone
Consultation
Final Exam
Consultation
By appointment
only
After passing final
exam
Phone
Consultation
Graduate
Consultation
By appointment
only
Description of Contact
Follow-up Communication
- Day of enrollment login email
Contains the individual student’s login information and student ID number, as well as
contact information for support services.
- Day after enrollment introduction email
Pharmacy Technician Student Support Guide 8
Includes a welcome to the program, introduction to support services and tools, and an
invitation to watch the Orientation Webinar.
- 30-day follow-up email
An email is also sent to encourage correspondence with support services.
- 30-day letter
Contains information about planning for employment in the future.
- 60-day follow-up email
Contains information to help students progress through certain modules in the program that
can be difficult.
- 90-day follow-up email
Provides encouragement for completion, tips for success in the remainder of the student's
training, and tips for success on the final exam.
- Day-after graduation email
Includes description of available services, tips for success in employment search, and
description of useful resources in employment search.
- 1, 3, and 6-month graduate follow-up email
Reiterates available services and resources for employment success and requests student
to report current employer.
Consultations / Webinars
- Orientation Webinar
Provides an introduction to the pharmacy technician training program, including navigation
and platform tools, description of support services, description of available tools and
resources, and tips for success in the training (including time management, effective study
techniques, networking, etc.).
- Calculations Webinar
Offers tips to students as they begin the Calculations portion of the course. Reminds them
to reach out to Student Support when they need assistance.
- Pre-final Exam Webinar
Helps students understand what to expect when they are ready to take the final exam.
- Final Exam Consultation
Offered to students who were unsuccessful in passing the final exam on their initial attempt.
Provides the student an opportunity to discuss his/her exam with a skills assessment
specialist, who will provide targeted feedback and ideas for improvement. If necessary,
skills assessment specialist will recommend an action plan to be completed by the student
in order to successfully prepare for subsequent exams.
- Graduate Consultation
Provides information on resources available to graduates beginning their job search.
Pharmacy Technician Student Support Guide 9
Tools
- Forum
An online discussion center for students and graduates. The forum is separated into
categories including Potential Students, Students, Graduates, Technical Support, For Fun,
and Resources. The forum allows students and graduates to network together, discuss
their progress and tips for success, ask and answer questions, form study groups, and
build lasting relationships. The forum is moderated by Career Step support staff, which
posts announcements, answers questions, and provides advice where appropriate.
- Chat rooms
Within the forum framework, there are various live chat rooms that allow students to chat
with each other in a real-time format. Chat rooms are especially effective for study groups.
Various Career Step support staff members login and maintain a presence in the chat
rooms during business hours in order to respond to any questions that may arise via chat.
- Weekly chat
Career Step’s Pharmacy Technician support staff hosts a one-hour chat each Tuesday at
11 am Mountain Time. Students are encouraged to ask course related questions as well as
questions about the industry, certification exams, and finding employment.
- Completion Plans
Completion Plans provide students a pre-set study plan based on a certain timeframe,
including four months, six months, and one year. Students simply follow the weekly
completion schedule in order to stay on target to complete the training within their chosen
timeframe.
- Action plans
Students who have failed a final exam attempt can participate in an action plan program, in
which a skills assessment specialist will provide feedback and practice tailored to the
student’s performance on the final exam.
Pharmacy Technician Student Support Guide 10
Frequently Asked Questions
What do pharmacy technicians do?
Pharmacy technicians work in retail or institutional facilities and assist pharmacists in
formulating, labeling, and dispensing medications. According to the U.S. Department of
Labor, about 75% of pharmacy technicians work in a retail setting, 16% work in hospitals,
while the remaining 9% work in other settings.
Do I need to be certified?
Career Step graduates are prepared for national certification offered by the Pharmacy
Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the ExCPT exam offered by the Institute for the
Certification of Pharmacy Technicians. Although certification is not required in all states,
certified pharmacy technicians enjoy increased pay, greater marketability, and more
flexibility to choose from a wider variety of positions or geographies.
To determine whether your state of residency requires national certification, please refer to
your state board of pharmacy's website.
What are the advantages of training with Career Step?
Career Step has been training quality healthcare professionals for almost 20 years and
offers a comprehensive training program that thoroughly prepares students to work as
pharmacy technicians. You will study online, on your own schedule and at your own pace,
and with Career Step you know you're getting the right education; personal, ongoing
support; and the resources and guidance you need to turn your education into a job. You'll
simultaneously train to work in both retail and institutional settings and will be prepared to
sit for national certification exams immediately after graduation. Career Step also has
externship partnerships with Walgreens and CVS, which provide the opportunity for student
to participate in an externship in their local areas.
What kind of skills or experience do I need to enter the Career Step program?
In order to be admitted, you must either a) have a high school diploma or a General
Education Development Certificate (GED), or b) pass the Career Step competency test. If
you are under 18 years of age, consent and signature of a parent or guardian is required
before admission. There are no specific skills or experience that is considered prerequisites
for entry into the Career Step training program.
How is the Career Step Pharmacy Technician program structured?
The Career Step program is offered entirely online, providing 24/7 access to all material
and allowing you to progress through the curriculum on your own schedule and at your own
pace. The program is broken into modules, or course subjects, all of which focus on helping
you build the essential knowledge and skills of a pharmacy technician. The final exam of
the course is designed to provide an experience similar to that of the Pharmacy Technician
Certification Board (PTCB) Exam, ensuring that you are as prepared as possible to sit for
national certification immediately upon graduation.
What type of student support does Career Step offer?
Career Step student support includes access to:
Pharmacy Technician Student Support Guide 11
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Student Support Advisors have professional experience in the industry and are
uniquely qualified to answer questions about both the curriculum and the industry.
They provide timely answers to questions about the program material and offer a
number of personal consultations throughout the training to help students master
important concepts.
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Technical Support Advisors are knowledgeable, experienced, and available six days
a week to help you work through any technical or computer issues encountered
within the training program.
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Graduate Support Advisors help you transition to the workforce after graduation.
Your Graduate Advisors will help prepare the best resume, develop solid interview
skills, and teach you valuable job search techniques.
How long does it take to finish the course?
The Career Step Pharmacy Technician training program is 285 completion hours. Since the
program is completely self-paced and the online training format allows you the flexibility to
study as much or as little as your schedule allows, the time it takes you to complete the
course will vary from other students. Some students are able to complete their training
program in as little as two or three months (working on the course full-time, 8 hours a day 5
days a week) and others, who are more limited in the time they can devote to the course,
take longer (for example, students who can devote about 15 hours a week may finish in
about 5 months).
Every student who enrolls in a Career Step training program receives an initial 3-month
period of enrollment—and we currently offer an additional 3 months at no extra charge!
You'll have a full 6 months to complete the program. If you need extra time to complete the
course after your initial 6-month enrollment, 3-month extensions are available for purchase.
Is an externship included in the Career Step program?
Career Step has partnered with Walgreens and CVS pharmacies to offer externships to our
students in their local areas. After students reach a certain point in the training program,
they will be eligible for an externship, subject to local availability. Students can begin their
externships prior to graduation, providing the opportunity for them to cement the skills
they’re learning in the course and smoothing the transition from classroom to workplace.
What payment options does Career Step offer?
We realize that one of the most important questions tied to education is how it will be paid
for. Because this is such a big part of the decision of whether or not to go back to school,
Career Step has designed several tuition assistance and payment options. Please visit our
Tuition Assistance page for more information.
How soon will I receive my materials?
It takes 2 to 3 business days to process the application, depending on method of payment.
Once the payment is processed you will be emailed your course login and password and
can start training immediately. Additional course materials are shipped UPS Ground after
the payment is processed. The average wait is about 7-10 days.
Note: Any promotional items will not be shipped until after the 14-day refund period.
Pharmacy Technician Student Support Guide 12
What if it takes me longer than six months to complete the program?
Extensions beyond the initial enrollment period are available. Extensions may be
purchased as needed to complete the program. All extensions are subject to the current
extension policy at the time the extension is purchased.
Do I have to follow the program order as it is outlined in the syllabus?
The idea of an independent program is independence; however, the syllabus was designed
to optimize training, and we recommend that students progress through the program in the
order it is presented. All the materials are self-explanatory and provide a step-by-step
process that guides each student’s training.
Will the final exam also be taken online? How many times can I take the
final?
Students take the final exam online from the comfort of their own homes. Students have
three hours to complete the exam, and it generally takes about two to three hours to
complete. The final exam may be taken three times.
If the final exam is not passed on the first attempt, the student have the opportunity to have
a consultation with a Career Step skills assessment advisor to receive feedback and
assessment on their work, assistance in preparing themselves for the next attempt, and an
action plan of how to improve for subsequent final exam attempts.
Pharmacy Technician Student Support Guide 13
Graduate Services
How do I contact Graduate Services?
The employment contact is Rebekah Hutchins. The phone number is 1-888-657-5752 and
the email address is pharmtechsupport@careerstep.com. The office hours are 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. Mountain Time.
What does Graduate Services include?
Graduate Services include:
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A personal resume review.
Local job posting notifications.
Tips for interview preparation and interviews.
Placement assistant for an externship with Walgreens or CVS.
Help hotline access to our Student Support team for six months after graduation.
What is NOT included in Career Step Graduate Services?
Career Step does not find the graduate a job, submit the graduate's resume to employers,
or fill out applications for the graduate. Career Step Graduate Services helps graduates
improve their applications and recommends companies that fit each graduate's individual
needs.
How do I find work after graduation?
Career Step offers personalized, post-graduation resources for your job search, including:
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Personal consultation with a Graduate Advisor
Personalized interview tutorials and training
Individual resume and cover letter review, tips, and advice
Access to Career Step's help hotline for six months after graduation
These resources offer the personalized help you need after graduation to quickly and easily
transition to the workplace. With this individualized help and attention, the majority of our
graduates are hired within a few months of graduation.
Before you graduate from the program, you will also complete a module that includes an
extensive discussion on finding work after graduation and the requirements of each state.
For more information on the requirements of each state, please view our State
Requirements pdf.
What is the job market for a pharmacy technician?
The pharmacy technician field is a part of the growing healthcare industry as well as one of
the 20 fastest growing occupations in the nation. The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of
Labor Statistics projects:
Pharmacy Technician Student Support Guide 14
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A rapidly expanding job market as the field is predicted to grow by 31%, or almost
100,000 new jobs, before 2018.
High demand and good job prospects for pharmacy technicians with formal training
or certification.
A growing number of professionals needed in the field to meet the high demand for
prescriptions fueled by an aging population and continued scientific advances.
How much can I earn as a pharmacy technician?
The U.S. Department of Labor report states that the middle 50% of pharmacy technicians
nationwide earn between $23,370 and $34,560 annually. You may also qualify for benefits
as a pharmacy technician. The Career Step Pharmacy Technician program prepares
students for the national certification exam after graduation, which increases earning
potential, marketability, and flexibility.
Pharmacy Technician Student Support Guide 15