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Pharmacy Technician Programs in Hawaii

In Hawaii, there are various colleges and vocational schools that offer pharmacy tech programs that may help you to break into this exciting field.

Pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician in Hawaii may be a great idea if you want to learn how to help licensed pharmacists prepare and dispense medications and other healthcare products. This important industry includes not only hospital-based pharmacies, but pharmacies in drug store chains, supermarkets, long-term care facilities, and ambulatory service centers. So let’s take a look at what being a pharmacy tech in Hawaii is all about!

Hawaii State General Information and Data

Before giving you the career requirements for pharmacy technicians in Hawaii, here’s some general education info about the state.

  • There are 13 four-year and 7 two-year institutions in Hawaii
  • The total male fall enrollment in Hawaii is 31,359, while the national average is 171,951
  • The total female fall enrollment in Hawaii is 43,450, lower than the national average of 228,592

Pharmacy Technician Careers in Hawaii

You may not know it, but Hawaii is one of the top paying states for pharmacy technicians.To help you decide if a career as a pharmacy tech is for you, let’s take a look at some employment stats for pharmacy techs in Hawaii.

  • There are 1,830 pharmacy technicians currently employed in the state of Hawaii.
  • The state projects there will be 2,060 jobs by the year 2026, an increase of 12%, which translates to approximately 170 jobs between 2016 and 2026.
  • The annual mean 10th percentile wage for pharmacy technicians in Hawaii is $27,360.
  • The annual mean 90th percentile wage for pharmacy technicians in Hawaii is $49,300.

If you are undecided about pursuing a career as a pharmacy tech, or you would like to look into other careers in the healthcare field, then this information on the mean10th percentile wages for other health-related careers in Hawaii should help you:

  • Medical Records & Health Information Technicians: $27,880
  • Medical Assistant: $25,830
  • EMT (Emergency Medical Technician): $21,880
  • CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant): $25,540

Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Hawaii

Do I need any certification to become a Pharmacy Technician in Hawaii?

Pharmacy technicians in Hawaii are not regulated by the state. However, the PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination) is approved by the state of Hawaii. This national exam is used to measure the knowledge the pharmacy techs will need to support licensed pharmacists, including medication safety and pharmacy information systems. The two-hour exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. As of 2019, a $129 fee is required to take the test.

To achieve certification, candidates must satisfy the following requirements:

  • Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent such as a GED or an accepted foreign diploma
  • No history of crime
  • Be in compliance with PTCB certification policies
  • Have a passing score on the PTCE

Which certifications are approved in Hawaii?

As stated above, the state of Hawaii accepts the PTCB certification, which is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.

Am I required to have a license to become a Pharmacy Technician in Hawaii?

No, licensure is not required by pharmacy techs working in Hawaii.

Is there training required to become a pharmacy tech in HI?

No formal training is required, but you will have to work under the direction of a licensed pharmacist before gaining certification and working in the field.

Are there any Pharmacy Technician Professional Organizations in Hawaii?

Hawaii has a few associations for pharmacy professionals, including pharmacy technician graduates, which should also be useful to industry newcomers.

  • The Hawaii Pharmacists Association (HPhA)
  • National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
  • American Pharmacists Association (APhA)

Joining groups like these may be a good idea for networking with peers who might be able to alert you to all sorts of career opportunities. Meeting professionals who can give you advice about continuing education opportunities may also help you prepare to pursue a career as a pharmacy technician.

How do I contact the State Board?

The Hawaii State Board of Pharmacy Information
PO Box 3469
Honolulu, HI 96801

Voice: 808-586-2694
Fax: 808-586-2874

http://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/pharmacy/

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