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Pharmacy technicians are in high demand, especially with more and more people aging and getting sick.
Read on if you want to learn what it takes to become a pharmacy tech in Nebraska!
Article Table of Contents
Pharmacy Technician Job Requirements
The Nebraska Pharmacists Association (NPA) oversees these professionals and requires them to get certified before starting working in the field.
There are 2 ways of receiving the certification:
- Through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
- Through the National Health career Association (NHA)
The certificate is issued to those who pass an exam.
The exam offered by the PTCB costs $129 and the exam offered by the NHA costs $117.
There’s no need to undergo formal education, but doing so is a good idea as you’ll be better prepared for the exam.
Other requirements you need to meet in order to work as a pharmacy tech, are:
- At least 18 years old
- A high school diploma or GED
- No convictions of drug-related crimes
- Registration through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
The registration can be done only by those who passed their examination and received their certification.
Formal Education for Pharmacy Technicians
As mentioned, pharmacy technicians are not required to undergo formal education, however, most employers will prefer those who did.
Having a degree from a community college will also improve your chances of landing a higher paying job and developing a career in this field.
The formal education in Nebraska lasts up to 12 months, and classes can be attended both in-person and online.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| National American University | 3604 Summit Plaza Drive 4. Bellevue, NE 68123-1065 |
| Nebraska Methodist College | 720 N 87th St, Omaha, NE 68114 |
| Southeast Community College | 301 South 68th Street Place, Lincoln, Nebraska 68510-2449 |
Those who enroll in such programs will learn about:
- Anatomy and physiology,
- Basic pharmacology
- Medical terminology,
- Pharmacy law and regulations
- Sterile and non-sterile compounding
- Pharmacy billing and reimbursement
- Pharmacy calculations,
- Medication safety
Salary Expectations
In Nebraska, the demand for pharmacy techs is expected to have a growth of 11% between 2016 and 2026.
The average salary for these professionals is $32,204 per year, but experience, other diplomas, and actual place of work can significantly increase it.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Omaha | $33,203 |
| Lincoln | $33,043 |
| Bellevue | $33,203 |
| Grand Island | $32,586 |
| Kearney | $32,586 |
| Fremont | $32,707 |
| Hastings | $32,586 |
| Norfolk | $28,903 |
| North Platte | $31,594 |
| Columbus | $32,586 |
Regional Salary in Nebraska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island, NE | 100 | $40,820 | $19.63 | $48,890 | $31,640 |
| Lincoln, NE | 460 | $40,430 | $19.44 | $47,880 | $31,890 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | 1,250 | $41,540 | $19.97 | $48,160 | $34,600 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Working as a Pharmacy Tech in Nebraska
The most common workplace for a pharmacy technician is a pharmacy, either an independent one or one that is part of a chain.
Hospitals are the next common employer for these technicians, however, there are many other facilities employing such professionals.
As a pharmacy tech, you can work full time, part-time, as well as evenings, nights, and weekends.
No matter where you’ll find employment, and work hours, you’ll always be completing your duties under the supervision of a pharmacist.
General Duties of a Pharmacy Tech
The most common duties of a pharmacy tech are:
- Inventory management
- Keeping records
- Scheduling appointments
- Measuring medication for the prescriptions
- Package and label the completed prescription
Those who work in a drugstore will be expected to handle payments.
Those who work in hospitals will be expected to deliver medication to patients and to prepare IV medication as well.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technician Schools by State