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Not everyone wants to become a doctor, but they still may want to work in the healthcare industry helping others, while also spending as little time training as possible.
If you think the above applies to you, we recommend you become a pharmacy technician.
Below you can learn more about how to become a pharmacy tech in Oregon!
Article Table of Contents
Duties and Requirements of a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy techs are expected to complete the following tasks:
- Count pills,
- Compound medications,
- Maintain inventory
- Provide administrative support
- Provide customer service support
The ideal candidate for this position has the following qualities:
- Good communication skills
- Over the age of 18
- High school diploma
- Clean criminal record
- Enjoys detail-oriented work
The Oregon Board of Pharmacy (OBP) must issue a license to those who want to work as pharmacy techs in this state.
The licensing process requires the following documents:
- Your fingerprints
- Your birth certificate – a copy
- A copy of your ID or passport
- A recent passport-style photo
- The licensing fee
With this license, you’ll be allowed to train as a pharmacy tech for one year, though no formal education is mandatory for this.
This license cannot be renewed.
When you complete the training, you’ll be expected to pass the national pharmacy technician certification exam.
Training as a Pharmacy Technician in Oregon
As mentioned, formal education is not required to become a pharmacy tech, but doing so will increase your chances of passing the certification exam and finding better employment.
Community colleges and training centers are the best places to check out for educational programs in this field, as they’re accredited.
You’ll notice how not all the programs have the same duration, and this means that not all of them will award the same type of diploma either.
If you choose to enroll in a 2-year program, you’ll obtain an Associates’s degree which allows you to have better career prospects, including being eligible for a position of leadership in the pharmacy.
The subjects included in these educational programs include:
- Drug calculations
- Medical ethics
- Medical terminology
- Medical acronyms
- Filling prescriptions
- Inventory management
- Pharmacy law
The programs usually include a period of internships either in hospitals or local drugstores.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Abdill Career College Inc | 843 E Main Ste 203, Medford, Oregon 97504-7137 |
| Carrington College | 2004 Lloyd Center, 3rd Floor, Portland, Oregon 97232-1309 |
| Central Oregon Community College | 2600 NW College Way, Bend, Oregon 97701 |
| Chemeketa Community College | 4000 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, Oregon 97305 |
| Institute of Technology Inc | 4700 Silverton Road NE, Salem, Oregon 97305 |
| Linn-Benton Community College | 6500 Pacific Blvd SW, Albany, OR 97321 |
| Pioneer Pacific College | 27501 SW Parkway Ave, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-9296 |
| Southwestern Oregon Community College | 1988 Newmark Ave, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420-2193 |
Obtaining the Pharmacy Technician License
In Oregon, you’ll need to pass one of the following exams to obtain a license:
- The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
- The National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
If you passed the exam before being employed, you can skip the first year of training and just request the license to work as a pharmacy tech, the CPhT.
You have to renew this license every year to maintain your position in the pharmacy.
Salary Expectations
In Oregon, the average salary of a pharmacy technician is around $34,978 per year.
The figure is slightly lower than the national median salary in this field, and there are several factors influencing it.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland | $36,706 |
| Salem | $35,431 |
| Eugene | $34,423 |
| Gresham | $36,659 |
| Hillsboro | $36,589 |
| Beaverton | $36,706 |
| Bend | $33,946 |
| Medford | $32,902 |
| Springfield | $34,171 |
| Corvallis | $34,606 |
Regional Salary in Oregon
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, OR | 110 | $46,860 | $22.53 | $58,990 | $36,350 |
| Bend-Redmond, OR | 190 | $50,050 | $24.06 | $63,120 | $38,030 |
| Corvallis, OR | 110 | $48,260 | $23.2 | $56,280 | $36,330 |
| Eugene, OR | 500 | $47,290 | $22.74 | $60,990 | $36,390 |
| Grants Pass, OR | 70 | $48,090 | $23.12 | $63,040 | $36,670 |
| Medford, OR | 270 | $49,180 | $23.64 | $61,790 | $35,700 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 2,750 | $52,570 | $25.28 | $63,100 | $39,420 |
| Salem, OR | 380 | $49,530 | $23.81 | $64,340 | $37,030 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Where to Find Work
Finding work as a pharmacy technician is relatively easy since the demand is increasing.
Hospitals, drugstores, and nursing homes are the main places seeking pharmacy techs, but the options don’t end there.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technician Schools by State