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Pharmacy technicians interact with patients the most, so they need to have good communication skills.
If you think this is a job you can perform, read on to learn what it takes to become a pharmacy technician in New Jersey!
Article Table of Contents
Job Responsibilities
It’s best to know your future responsibilities ahead of time.
As a pharmacy technician, you’ll be expected to:
- Stock the shelves
- Maintain the medicine room of a pharmacy
- Order medications
- Answer the phone
- Provide information about prescriptions
You should also know that pharmacy techs in New Jersey are overseen by the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy (NJBD).
General Requirements
In New Jersey, certification is not required to work as a pharmacy technician, at least not for the first 180 days of being employed in such a position.
When this period of time is over, individuals are expected to take and pass the certification exam organized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
Having this certification will surely improve anyone’s chances of getting hired and better paid.
Additionally, pharmacy techs are expected to continue their education with 30 hours in order to maintain their positions.
Training or Formal Education
In New Jersey, individuals who want to work as pharmacy techs, can either undergo some training or enroll in a formal education program.
The training can be completed at a nationally recognized drugstore, one of which is Walgreens.
Formal education is for those who want to develop a career in this healthcare niche.
Community colleges are the places offering this type of training.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education | 4500 New Brunswick Ave, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854 |
| Harris School of Business | 1201 New Road-Ste 226, Linwood, New Jersey 08221 |
| New Educare Institute of Healthcare | 24 Commerce St #401, Newark, NJ 07102 |
| Pennco Tech | 99 Erial Road, Blackwood, New Jersey 08012 |
| Salem Community College | 460 Hollywood Avenue, Carneys Point, New Jersey 08069-2799 |
Programs can be completed both in-person and online, as long as they received national accreditation.
Many programs also require the students to complete an internship of around 250 hours, and finding such options through the school is common.
Internships can only be completed during the weekdays, not weekends.
Keep in mind that not all the programs last for as long.
Some are short as 2 months, while others can even last for up to 2 years and award an Associates’s degree.
Most of the programs include subjects like:
- Dosage forms
- Microbiology,
- Law and ethics for technicians,
- Community pharmacy practice,
- Calculations of doses,
- Health insurance
- Inventory control
- Computers and communication within the industry
Salary Expectations
Specialists expect that the demand for pharmacy technicians to grow in New Jersey 36% between 2016 and 2026.
This means that finding a job in this field is relatively easy.
The salary you’ll receive will depend on a selection of factors, including experience and credentials or diplomas earned.
The average salary in this state is $38,827 per year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Newark | $40,106 |
| Jersey City | $42,494 |
| Paterson | $40,492 |
| Elizabeth | $40,106 |
| Edison | $39,403 |
| Lakewood | $39,999 |
| Woodbridge | $39,403 |
| Toms River | $39,416 |
| Clifton | $40,492 |
| Trenton | $39,684 |
Regional Salary in New Jersey
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 360 | $36,750 | $17.67 | $47,570 | $28,090 |
| Ocean City, NJ | 110 | $35,590 | $17.11 | $47,250 | $27,430 |
| Trenton, NJ | 430 | $38,010 | $18.27 | $50,900 | $29,530 |
| Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ | 170 | $37,250 | $17.91 | $47,170 | $27,720 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Further Information
Pharmacy technicians can work in a variety of settings with pharmacies and hospitals being their main employers.
Medicine delivery companies, nursing homes, and insurance companies are other places where you can find a job once you complete your training or education, but are not the only ones.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technician Schools by State
I am a Pharmacy manager for CVS located at 1320 Parkway ave in ewing nj. I would be interested in implying students in the pharmacy technician program at a competitive rate of pay. Please reach out to me so we can discuss potential candidates.