Pharmacy

Pharmacy Technician Training Program 

Begin Your Career in Hospital Pharmacy 

The NewYork-Presbyterian Pharmacy Technician Training Program is an ASHP/ACPE-accredited ,16-week program designed to prepare individuals for rewarding careers as Pharmacy Technicians. Through classroom instruction, hands-on simulation, and supervised clinical experiences, participants gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in today’s healthcare environment. 

Graduates are equipped to pursue national certification and begin careers supporting pharmacists in delivering exceptional patient care.

Applicants to the NewYork-Presbyterian Pharmacy Technician Training Program must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)  
• Demonstrate English language proficiency and basic math skills by achieving a minimum score of 70% on the program’s reading comprehension and mathematics assessments within three attempts.  
• Successfully complete the NewYork-Presbyterian Human Resources pre-employment screening process.  
• Meet all the required immunization and occupational health requirements for participation in the program and experiential learning.  

Program Overview

The Program is a 16-week program designed to prepare participants for entry-level pharmacy technician practice in a hospital setting. The curriculum combines didactic instruction, simulation, and supervised experiential learning to build the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors needed for success.  

Training is conducted Monday through Friday, generally between 8:00am and 4:00pm while most activities follow this schedule. Certain experiential learning opportunities may require variable hours based on departmental operations and training needs. 

Didactic(at least 100 hours)  

The didactic curriculum provides the foundational knowledge required for pharmacy technician practice and prepares participants for national certification. Coursework is delivered through the Pharmacy Technician University (PTU) learning platform and includes topics such as:  

• Pharmacy law and ethics  
• Medical terminology  
• Pharmaceutical calculations
• Generic and brand-name medications  
• Medication Safety  
• Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding  
• Insurance Processing  
• Professional Communication and patient care  
• Hospital Operations  
• Retail Pharmacy  

Simulation (at least 50 hours) 

Simulation training provides hands-on learning in a controlled environment before participants begin clinical practice. Under the guidance of program faculty, trainees develop foundational pharmacy technician skills through interactive exercises and realistic scenarios.  

Participants will: 

• Practice pharmacy workflows and technology.  
• Learn proper Personal Protective Equipment donning and doffing.  
• Perform aseptic technique in a simulated cleanroom environment.  
• Prepare non-sterile compounded medications.  
• Participate in role-playing exercises that reflect real-world pharmacy practice.  

Experiential (at least 120 hours) 

Experiential Learning takes place at NewYork-Presbyterian pharmacy practice sites under the supervision of experienced pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Trainees apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the program while participating in daily pharmacy operations. 

Experiential rotations provide exposure to:  

• Medication preparation, dispensing, and distribution.  
• Sterile and non-sterile compounding  
• Pharmacy automation and technology  
• Inventory Management  
• Interprofessional collaboration  
• Patient-centered pharmacy services across a variety of hospital practice settings.  

Employment Opportunities  

The NewYork-Presbyterian Pharmacy Technician Training Program is designed to prepare participants for entry-level pharmacy technician practice. While successful completion of the program does not guarantee employment, graduates are encouraged to apply for available Pharmacy Technician positions within the NewYork-Presbyterian health system. 

To be considered for employment as a Pharmacy Technician at NewYork-Presbyterian, candidates must:  

• Successfully complete the Pharmacy Technician Training Program and remain in good standing.  
• Obtain national certification by passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam(PTCE) administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board(PTCB) .  
• Obtain registration as a Registered Pharmacy Technician through the New York State Education Department, Office of Professions.  
• Meet all NewYork- Presbyterian employment requirements applicable at the time of hire.