Overview
The future of pharmacy practice is rapidly evolving. Cleveland Clinic is a leader in the efforts to expand the role of pharmacy technicians. As one of the only accredited hospital-based technician schools in the country, the School of Pharmacy Technology is paving the way for new technician leaders. Cleveland Clinic's School of Pharmacy Technology has been designed to accomplish what no other pharmacy technician program has done before: Combining both didactic training with real, hands-on training – from day one.
Training today's pharmacy technicians, the Cleveland Clinic way.
Accreditation/approval
Cleveland Clinic feels that an important part of expanding the pharmacy practice model is expanding the role pharmacy technicians serve. This is accomplished by training, educating, and providing experience to technician students at a consistently high standard. As such, the Cleveland Clinic's School of Pharmacy Technology maintains full accreditation through the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. The School of Pharmacy Technology's accreditation is valid through 2024, at which point a re-accreditation process will be completed.
For program and accreditation inquiries, please contact:
Oana Kytzu, M.Ed., BS, CPhT
9500 Euclid Ave, HB105
Cleveland, OH 44195
kytzuo@ccf.org
Program description
Cleveland Clinic is a multi-site, academic health-system with advanced clinical services and a world-wide presence. The Department of Pharmacy operates multi-site hospital, ambulatory, and specialty pharmacy services for Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic’s School of Pharmacy Technology operates in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic Department of Pharmacy.
Students at the School of Pharmacy Technology study in a state-of-the-art learning environment with instruction from some of the top industry professionals in the country. Students obtain the skills necessary to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam and work in a pharmacy. Graduates of Cleveland Clinic’s School of Pharmacy Technology are well prepared to meet the needs of an expanding pharmacy practice. Students graduating from the Cleveland Clinic School of Pharmacy Technology may be considered for employment within the Cleveland Clinic.
Cleveland Clinic does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities, on the basis of age, gender, race, national origin, religion, creed, color, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ethnicity, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Cleveland Clinic administers all programs and services without regard to disability and provides reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified disabled individuals.
Faculty & Staff
David Swindler, CPhT
Program Coordinator, School of Pharmacy Technology
Oana L. Kytzu, M.Ed., BS, CPhT
Program Manager, School of Pharmacy Technology
Matthew J. Hoover, PharmD, MS, BCCCP, BCPS
Pharmacy Director, Procurement and Logistics
Program Supervisor, School of Pharmacy Technology
Program Details
Curriculum
Clinical laboratory experience and education are combined to provide students with hands-on training in various practice settings, beginning the very first week!
Cleveland Clinic's School of Pharmacy Technology Evening/Online Program consists of:
- 18-week accelerated program
- While completing the didactic training, students complete 100 hours of hands-on simulated rotations at the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus. Students study clinical and operational pharmacy practice under the instruction of Cleveland Clinic pharmacists. This part of the program focuses on introducing the students to pharmacy practice and the technician's role within the pharmacy setting.
- Following the didactic learning and simulated rotations, students will complete 200 hours of externship experiences within the Cleveland Clinic. Externships allow students to apply and expand skills within multiple pharmacy settings.
Program information
- Program Goals:
- Recruit candidates that will positively represent the program and excel academically.
- Prepare students for employment with the Cleveland Clinic Health-System.
- Develop a consistent employment source to meet hiring needs within the health-system.
- Achieve, local, state, and national program recognition.
- Provide a superior level of clinical training to technician students.
How to Apply
Application and requirements
The following criteria are used to determine eligibility into the program:
- Completion of program application.
- Copy of high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.
- Students must be at least 18 years of age upon application.
- Completion of a phone and on-site interview.
- Successful background and reference check.
Admission
Cleveland Clinic's School of Pharmacy Technology is currently accepting applications for online classes. Interested candidates must submit applications at least 60 days prior to the scheduled program start date. All applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions by email. Selected students must complete Cleveland Clinic on-boarding requirements, including health, drug and background screenings. All selected students are required to register with the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy as a trainee. This registration costs $25 and is good for only a year.
Please send an email to kytzuo@ccf.org for applications.
Pharmacy Technician Careers
Employment & salary expectations
Cleveland Clinic, along with other pharmacies, has a growing demand for highly educated, prepared pharmacy technicians to serve in expanding pharmacy roles.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022), the job outlook for pharmacy technicians is bright. Job growth is expected to increase 5 percent faster than average. Almost 43,500 pharmacy technician jobs are expected to be added between 2021-2031.
In 2022, the median national salary for pharmacy technicians was $40,260 a year with an average hourly rate of $19.35.
Meet a pharmacy technician
Requirements for licensure
In order to be nationally licensed as a pharmacy technician, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) requires:
- High school diploma or equivalent educational diploma (e.g., a GED or foreign diploma).
- Passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).
- Full disclosure of all criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions.
- Compliance with all applicable PTCB certification policies.
In the state of Ohio, pharmacy technicians must register with the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. To register as a Certified Pharmacy Technician, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy requires:
- Applicants must be at least 18 years or older in age.
- National certification.
- High school diploma or equivalent educational diploma (e.g., a GED or foreign diploma).
- Completion of an approved training program, such as a program that holds a current accreditation from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
- Completed background check.
Work environment
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022), most (50%) pharmacy technicians worked in pharmacies and drug stores.
The industries that employed the most pharmacy technicians in 2022 were as follows:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Pharmacy Technicians, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292052.htm#ind (visited August, 2023).
Pharmacy technicians at Cleveland Clinic are prepared to work in many pharmacy settings, including:
- Inpatient Pharmacy.
- Ambulatory Pharmacy.
- Pharmacy Automation.
- Pediatric Pharmacy.
- Intensive Care Pharmacy.
- Pharmacy Purchasing and Inventory.
- Controlled Drug Services.
- Pharmacy Billing.
- Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding.
- Chemotherapy.
- Specialty Pharmacy.
The Cleveland Clinic offers unique opportunities for growth and advancement for pharmacy technicians in fields like Leadership, Automation, Inventory and Purchasing, and Medication Safety.
Request Information
Please complete this form if you are looking for more information about the School of Pharmacy Technology. It will also allow you to stay connected with the School of Pharmacy Technology and receive important information about admissions, and information from the program.
Pharmacy Technician Apprentice Program
The Pharmacy Technician Apprentice is a full-time 1 year paid position that will provide eligible candidates with the opportunity to work as a Pharmacy Technician Trainee at the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus & Regional Hospitals, while also completing coursework for the Cleveland Clinic School of Pharmacy Technology.
Upon graduation, the Pharmacy Technician Apprentice will take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam and in passing, will be eligible to apply for the role of a Cleveland Clinic Certified Pharmacy Technician. This position is designed for those that are interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy technology. The Pharmacy Technician Apprentice position focuses on providing individuals with on-the-job training and education to support their career through pharmacy technology and will prepare them for a position as a Certified Pharmacy Technician.
Learn more about the Pharmacy Technician Apprentice Program.
Three essentials of the Pharmacy Technician Apprentice Program:
- Paid job.
- Education.
- Credentials.
Program curriculum and benefits
- 10 online learning modules on pharmacy principles, such as drug therapy, pharmaceutical calculations, automation, sterile and non-sterile compounding.
- Hands-on training in a state-of-the-art learning environment to introduce pharmacy practice and the technician’s role within the pharmacy.
- Experiences in various inpatient and outpatient areas to expose the apprentice to a variety of practice settings.
Applicants selected to participate must commit to a 1-year, full-time position as a Pharmacy Technician Apprentice.
Selected applicants will receive a set hourly wage, employee benefit package, and tuition waived for the Cleveland Clinic School of Pharmacy Technology.
Applicant eligibility
Qualified candidates must meet all of the following requirements:
- High school diploma.
- Must be 18 years of age 30 days prior to start date of position.
Applicants must also pass a background and health screening. Prospective candidates must complete the application and interview, as part of the selection process.
Please Note: Applications missing documentation, incomplete, and/or received after the deadline will not be considered.
