According to America’s Health Rankings, a data project run by the nonprofit United Health Foundation, about 11% of U.S. adults have multiple chronic health conditions — including cancer, chronic heart disease, and mental health disorders like depression. In Louisiana, that number is even higher, exceeding 14%.
Many individuals take medication to manage these conditions. Pharmacy technicians help ensure patients get their medications when they need them.
For those considering a career in this in-demand profession, here is some information about how to become a pharmacy technician in Louisiana, and how enrolling in a pharmacy technician program can help put you on that path.
What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?
Pharmacy technicians play an important role in meeting pharmacy customers’ needs and managing the day-to-day tasks that are part of running a pharmacy. Unlike pharmacists, they do not have the training required to offer customers advice about medications.
Common job duties for a pharmacy tech include:
Gathering customer data
Processing customer payments and insurance claims
Measuring, packaging, labeling, and dispensing medications
Monitoring and organizing inventory
Maintaining and using equipment such as automatic filling machines and tablet counting machines
Arranging for customers to speak to pharmacists
Coordinating with physicians and other prescribing professionals when needed
Many pharmacy technicians work in retail settings, including independent pharmacies, chain pharmacies, and pharmacies inside larger retail outlets. Others work in pharmacies located within hospitals and other types of medical facilities. In these settings, they help nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals carry out clinical treatment plans.
Steps to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Louisiana
To become a pharmacy technician in Louisiana, applicants must get certified through the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy. The process involves completing a training program, fulfilling on-site training hours, and passing a final exam administered by a national pharmacy tech certification agency.
Step 1: Register as a Pharmacy Technician Candidate
Before beginning training, future pharmacy technicians in Louisiana must register as a pharmacy technician candidate with the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy. This credential expires after two years.
To qualify, candidates must meet one of three requirements:
Be at least 18 years old and enrolled in a board-approved pharmacy technician training program
Be at least 16 years old and enrolled in a training program approved by the Louisiana Department of Education
Be at least 18 years old and working under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist
The pharmacy technician candidate application form can be submitted online. Candidates also need to submit a $50 fee, proof of their identity, a copy of their Social Security card, and information regarding any other professional certifications they hold and previous disciplinary actions.
Step 2: Complete a Pharmacy Tech Training Program
In Louisiana, aspiring pharmacy techs must complete an approved training program and log 600 hours of on-site training with a licensed pharmacist.
The Pharmacy Technician program at Fortis College in Baton Rouge provides both the classroom and on-site training needed to meet these requirements.
The program, which can be completed in as little as 36 weeks (about nine months), includes courses on:
Drug classification
Medical anatomy
Medical terminology
Pharmacy practices, principles, and skills
Pharmacology
Math skills
Creating intravenous admixtures and aseptic compounds
Fortis students also complete an externship in a licensed pharmacy to gain the on-site training hours to qualify for certification in Louisiana. Fortis also offers a certification and career development course so students can prepare to take the certification exam and pursue a role in the workforce.
Step 3: Pass a Final Exam and Apply for a State Certificate
The last step to become a pharmacy tech in Louisiana is passing a certification exam. Fortis students are eligible to take their exam in their final quarter. The Board of Pharmacy gives applicants two exam options.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE): Administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, this exam includes 90 multiple-choice questions (80 scored, 10 unscored) and must be completed within two hours.
Examination for Certification as Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT): Offered by the National Healthcareer Association, this exam features 100 scored questions and 20 pretest questions, with a time limit of two hours and 10 minutes.
After applicants pass one of these exams, they must submit a pharmacy technician certificate application to the Board of Pharmacy. Once they receive their certificate, they can begin working as a pharmacy technician.
Pharmacy Technician Job Outlook in Louisiana
According to Projections Central, the U.S. pharmacy technician workforce is expected to grow by 5.6% from 2022 to 2032. In Louisiana, projected growth is even higher, at 9.2% over the same period. An average of 660 pharmacy tech job openings are projected to be available each year in the state.
This growth reflects rising demand for pharmacy technicians, both nationally and within Louisiana. As more people in the state, especially older adults, come to rely on medications for their chronic conditions, more technicians will likely be needed to keep up with the demand.
Start Working Toward Your Career as a Pharmacy Technician in Louisiana Today
Fortis is dedicated to helping students build the foundational skills needed to pursue a career in an in-demand field. You can start your journey by enrolling in the Pharmacy Technician program at our Baton Rouge campus.
After taking classes on fundamentals such as measuring medications and maintaining inventory, you will have the opportunity to gain real-world experience by training alongside a licensed pharmacist in a working pharmacy. This combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training prepares you to qualify for your state certificate and take the next step in your career.
For more information about the program, contact the Fortis admissions team today.
Recommended Readings
How Pharmacy Technicians Work With Pharmacists
Medical Assistant vs. Pharmacy Tech
What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?