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Pharmacy Technician
Program Overview
The Pharmacy Technician Program provides both academic and clinical education in pharmacy practices. The objective of the program is to provide the healthcare community with quality technicians. Pharmacy Technicians work under the supervision of licensed pharmacists.
The Pharmacy Technician Program is a three-semester limited enrollment program. Classes start in the Fall each Academic year and conclude the following July.
Pharmacy Technician: Certificate of Technical Studies (C.T.S.)
Program Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the Pharmacy Technician Certificate of Technical Studies program, the learner will be able to:
- Perform pharmaceutical calculations required of a pharmacy technician (SLO # 1)
- Prepare compounded medications, including sterile preparations, according to current UPS chapters, while applying best practices (SLO # 2)
- Categorize the top 200 brand and generic name drugs (SLO # 3)
- Apply critical thinking in matters of conflict resolution, teamwork, customer service, and supervision of other pharmacy technician personnel (SLO # 4)
- Apply critical thinking skills related to math, pharmacology, and pharmacy operations needed for an entry-level pharmacy technician (SLO # 5)
- Collaborate with the pharmacy team, under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, in the administration of the patient care process (SLO # 6)
At the completion of the Program students will be prepared to take a national certification examination provided as required by the Louisiana State Board of Pharmacy.
Official Program Description in the College Catalog
Estimated Costs of the Program
Pharmacy Technician students pay the same tuition and fees each term as other credit students enrolled in the college. For more information, visit the Financial Information page in the college catalog.
In addition to tuition and fees, there are additional expenses to complete the program. For a detailed explanation of these costs, download the list of expenses.
Accreditation
Delgado’s Pharmacy Technician Program is accredited by ASHP/ACPE (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists/Accreditation Council for
Pharmacy Education), 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, MD 20814; 1-866-279-0681.
Jobs Outlook
Job Environment
Pharmacy technicians work primarily in pharmacies, including those found in grocery and drug stores. Some technicians work in hospitals or other healthcare facilities. Pharmacy technicians spend most of the workday on their feet.
Work Schedules
Most pharmacy technicians work full time. Pharmacies may be open at all hours. Therefore, pharmacy technicians may have to work nights or weekends.
Estimated Earnings (2026 Data from indeed.com)
| Location | Pay Period | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Hourly | $14.49 | $20.71 | $29.59 |
| Yearly | $28,389 | $40,571 | $57,979 | |
| Louisiana | Hourly | $14.28 | $18.39 | $23.70 |
| Yearly | $27,967 | $36,036 | $46,432 | |
| New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA | Hourly | $15.89 | $119.72 | $24.46 |
| Yearly | $31,137 | $38,630 | $47,926 |
Program Success Information
National Certification (CPhT)
Delgado Pharmacy Technician prepares completers of the Entry-Level Program to take a national certification examination. Students sit for the exam during the final week of classes.
5 year average Pass Rate: 93.2%
| Academic Year | Number of Graduates | Success on PTCE 1st Attempt | Success on PTCE 2nd Attempt | Program Pass Rate | Louisiana Pass Rate (PTCE) | National Pass Rate (PTCE) | Louisiana Pass Rate (ExCPT) | National Pass Rate (ExCPT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | 15 | 87% | 100% | 93% | * |
69% |
* | 63% Annual |
| 2023-2024 | 22 | 68% | 100% | 82% | * | 70% Annual |
* | 62% Annual |
| 2022-2023 | 11 | 91% | 100% | 100% | * | 69% Annual |
* | 63% Annual |
| 2021-2022 | 11 | 91% | 91% | * | 71% Annual |
* | 64% Annual |
|
| 2020-2021 | 12 | 100% | 100% | 59% | 69% | 50% | 54.6% |
*The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy no longer reports pass rates for Technicians or Pharmacists.