Pharmacy Technician Training Program
Overview
A great pharmacy technician is the backbone of pharmacy operations. For this reason, many pharmacy technician programs are being developed nationwide to elevate technicians to meet needs as pharmacy practice expands. Carilion Clinic developed Virginia's first health system-based pharmacy technician training program in 2022 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. The goal of the 16-week program is to provide didactic and hands-on training to achieve a technician license by completion.
The pharmacy technician training program is fully accredited by the the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
Graduates of our program have a 90% passage rate on their first attempt at the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam, and a 100% overall passage rate.
Program Details
The Carilion Clinic Pharmacy Technician Training Program is a full-time, 16-week, paid program located at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital (CRMH).
State-of-the-art education material is provided online through Pharmacy Technicians University, an educational program from TRC Healthcare.
Hands-on training is provided and supervised by experienced, qualified pharmacy technicians at CRMH.
The cost of the national certification exam is reimbursed for Carilion employees upon successful completion.
Program Structure
- Mixture of online learning modules, hands-on simulations and on-the-job training
- Every third weekend staffing commitment while in the program
- On-the-job training averaging three days per week
- Computer-based training averaging one to two days per week
Training Experiences
- Operations
- Medication use process and distribution
- Automatic dispensing cabinets
- Inventory control
- Emergency medicines stocking and replenishment
- Inpatient pharmacy
- Institutional retail pharmacy
- Sterile and non-sterile compounding
How to Apply
Planned Program Start Dates
- January 27, 2025
- March 10, 2025
- April 21, 2025
- June 16, 2025
- July 28, 2025
- September 8, 2025
- November 17, 2025
- January 12, 2026
*Please note that we plan to continue hosting classes approximately every 6 weeks.
External applicants: Apply using the Carilion Clinic careers portal, search keyword “pharmacy” and look for our trainee listing.
- At times we pull down the application link. If you’re unable to find the technician trainee job posting, please consider contacting our team with your interest via this link.
Eligibility and Training Program Qualifications
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Successful completion of reading comprehension and math proficiency assessments during the interview process
- Possess basic computer skills and access to high-speed Internet
- Submit complete application through Carilion Clinic careers portal
- Include a professional resume and ~250-word personal statement describing your interest in our program.
- Both documents should be uploaded as separate documents within the portal.
- Complete successful background screening, drug testing, Carilion pre-employment screening and vaccination documentation (or medical/religious exemption documentation)
- Be eligible for registration as a pharmacy technician trainee within the Commonwealth of Virginia per Board of Pharmacy regulations
- Please review Board of Pharmacy requirements for registration: Virginia Board of Pharmacy
Please be advised: Future employment as a pharmacy technician may be limited by illicit drug use, criminal background checks and immunization status. Registration with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy is required.
Additionally, employers, externship sites and state boards of pharmacy have regulations about drug use, criminal backgrounds and immunization status.
Timeline
- Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Rolling interviews will be conducted.
- Students admitted to the program are required to register with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy as trainees prior to commencement (cost: $20).Complete this step at the time of acceptance is critical to prevent delays in program start dates.
- Consistent with state regulations, new technicians must pass a National Pharmacy Technician Certification exam within 9 months of hire as a pharmacy technician trainee: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
Contact Us
Program Coordinator
Kayla Meador, CPhT
Pharmacy Technician Education Coordinator
Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
1906 Belleview Ave.
Roanoke, VA 24014
Program Director
Megan Goodwin, PharmD, BCPS
Education Director, Pharmacy Services
Pharmacy Technician Training Program Director
Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
1906 Belleview Ave.
Roanoke, VA 24014
