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Working in a pharmacy as a technician doesn’t require attending medical school.
If you want to learn what you need to do to work in this field, in Iowa, read on!
Article Table of Contents
Pharmacy Technician Job Details
Pharmacy technicians are always supervised by a pharmacist.
They can work in various settings:
- Independent or chain drugstores
- Hospitals
- Various healthcare facilities
The workplace may operate on a 24/7 basis, and this means individuals will have night and weekend shifts.
Part-time and full-time positions are also available in this field.
Their duties include:
- Dispensing prescriptions,
- Managing inventory,
- Answering patients’ questions
- Completing administrative work
General Qualifications and Certification
If you’re at least 18 years old then you can register with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy to be allowed to work as a technician in a pharmacy.
The registration should take place within 30 days from the date of employment.
Additionally, you’ll be required to undergo specialized training for which only those with a high school diploma or GED are accepted.
Having a clean criminal record is also mandatory.
Unlike in many other states, in Iowa, it’s required to have national certification as a pharmacy technician.
Passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam is the way to become certified.
The fee for the exam is $129.
Both the Board registration and the certification need to be renewed every 2 years.
To renew your credential, you’ll have to continue your education through approved courses.
The fee to renew your registration is $55.
Training as a Pharmacy Technician
Community colleges and technical schools are the institutions where training programs for pharmacy technicians are organized.
The training programs need to be approved by the Board and should include an internship option.
Their duration varies between 9 months and 2 years.
Furthermore, the type of diploma earned also varies and can influence the future career of the student.
A higher diploma, like an Associates degree, opens the doors to many more employment opportunities and career advancement.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Des Moines Area Community College | 2006 Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, Iowa 50023-3993 |
| Indian Hills Community College | 525 Grandview Ave, Ottumwa, Iowa 52501 |
| Kirkwood Community College | 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406-2068 |
| North Iowa Area Community College | 500 College Dr, Mason City, Iowa 50401 |
| Northwest Iowa Community College | 603 W Park St, Sheldon, Iowa 51201 |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | 4647 Stone Ave, Sioux City, Iowa 51102-5199 |
Each school has its own enrollment requirements.
This includes the value of the tuition you’ll pay, based on where you live, as out of state students will pay more than students coming from within Iowa.
These programs offer classroom education, with subjects such as:
- Basic anatomy
- Pharmacy laws
- Math
Average Salary for a Pharmacy Technician
In Iowa, the average salary for a pharmacy technician is lower than in other parts of the country.
Those who just start out can expect to earn around $27,263 per year while those with more experience and qualifications can expect around $40,964 per year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Des Moines | $33,912 |
| Cedar Rapids | $33,260 |
| Davenport | $33,109 |
| Sioux City | $29,166 |
| Iowa City | $32,987 |
| Waterloo | $31,689 |
| Ames | $33,596 |
| West Des Moines | $33,912 |
| Council Bluffs | $33,142 |
| Ankeny | $33,912 |
Regional Salary in Iowa
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 120 | $36,240 | $17.42 | $45,760 | $23,120 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 380 | $37,870 | $18.21 | $46,650 | $30,100 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 580 | $37,430 | $18 | $45,950 | $29,180 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 1,050 | $40,600 | $19.52 | $50,840 | $31,100 |
| Dubuque, IA | 220 | $36,150 | $17.38 | $45,350 | $29,960 |
| Iowa City, IA | 510 | $40,390 | $19.42 | $52,250 | $31,090 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 240 | $37,830 | $18.19 | $45,830 | $30,260 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 300 | $37,320 | $17.94 | $46,710 | $30,130 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Other Information
Finding employment in this field is quite easy as the demand for such professionals is on the rise.
Technician trainees need to pay $22 to register with the Board, while the registration costs $55 for certified pharmacy technicians.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technician Schools by State