On a typical day, pharmacy technicians in Michigan will likely measure medications and assist customers. Occasionally, they will be called upon to organize filled descriptions and communicate with insurance providers and physicians.
The field requires meticulous attention to detail and the ability to think critically on the spot. Michigan individuals who believe they possess the necessary skills to excel in these roles at a high level would be well-suited to enter the profession, as it can be highly fulfilling and offers a strong job market.
The following guide analyzes everything interested individuals must consider before becoming a full-fledged pharmacy technician in Michigan.
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Michigan
The framework below is typically adopted to launch a successful pharmacy technician career in Michigan.
Meeting the Basic Requirements
To succeed in a real-world work environment, aspiring pharmacy technicians in Michigan typically require strong interpersonal skills and an affinity for planning and organization. Some training institutions and employers also have basic educational requirements that include either a high school diploma or a GED equivalent.
Completing an Academic Degree Program
Several academic institutions in Michigan offer robust pharmacy technician education programs for candidates seeking to launch their careers on a strong foundation. Although this isn’t the only approach to entering the profession, those who complete academic training typically have an edge due to their degrees and structured education.
Candidates with busy schedules can also complete academic programs that allow for virtual-based learning. Another advantage of this path is that students receive comprehensive preparation for certification examinations, allowing them to become certified immediately after completing their courses.
Experiential Education
To succeed in a work environment, candidates don’t just jump into the field as full-blown pharmacy technicians. The majority of individuals spend some time working in an internship or assistant position first to build the right level of confidence and experience.
It is also possible to secure an “on-the-job” learning position from an establishment willing to provide basic real-world training to candidates without prior experience.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
In Michigan, pharmacy technicians must register with the state board before securing full-time job placement. The Michigan Pharmacy Technician Board expects individuals seeking a license to already hold certification from either the National Healthcareer Association or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
To earn the Certified Pharmacy Technician credential from the PTCB, candidates need to pass the board’s certification examination. This exam contains 90 questions to be completed in an hour and 50 minutes.
The National Healthcareer Association’s certification examination contains 100 questions that can be completed in 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Certified pharmacy technicians in Michigan can then submit their completed application form, along with the registration fee, to the state board of Pharmacy in order to receive their official license.
Top Pharmacy Technician Schools in Michigan
All of the schools listed below offer exceptional programs for aspiring pharmacy technicians in Michigan.
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI Campus + Online
University of Michigan, through Michigan Medicine, offers a pharmacy technician training program that allows students to work as full-time paid trainees with benefits while completing their training.
Tuition
FreeContact
(734) 936-8210
pharmweb-admin@med.umich.edu
Michigan Healthcare Academy
Mt. Clemens, MI Campus Only
Michigan Healthcare Academy offers a 16-week certificate program, with classes held twice a week in the evenings. Students receive extensive preparation for the national certification exam.
Email: registration@mihealthcareacademy.com
Tuition
$3,299 per ProgramContact
(586) 738-6632
Email in Bio
William Beaumont School of Medicine
Dearborn, MI Campus Only
William Beaumont School of Medicine offers a pharmacy technician program recognized by leading accrediting bodies. This program comprises 400 total training hours, split between classroom learning and an internship at Corewell Health pharmacies.
Email: stephanie.stansberry@beaumont.org
Tuition
$4,000 per ProgramContact
(947) 522-1232
Email in Bio
Explore pharmacy technician schools in Michigan by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
Data obtained from a survey of Pharmacy technicians in Michigan, carried out on Indeed.com, shows that professionals in the median category can earn an annual average salary of $36,786, which is in line with the national average.
Among the top 10%, the annual average salary to expect is usually around $54,118. The bottom 10% of pharmacy technicians in Michigan will still be able to earn an average annual salary of around $25,005.
Factors that separate the professionals in the top categories from those in the bottom categories range from experience and specific location within the state to professional credentials and work environment.
Focusing on location, pharmacy technicians in Ann Arbor make the highest annual average salary of $38,485. Those in Lansing make the second-highest annual average salary of $38,273, while those in Detroit come third with an annual average salary of $36,911.
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