Your Future in Pharmacy Starts Here

Guardian Pharmacy offers high school and technical school students the opportunity to explore a career as a pharmacy technician.

Phase 1. Pharmacy Tour & Interview

Eligible students are invited to tour a Guardian long-term care (LTC) pharmacy and interview with pharmacy staff.

Phase 2. Exploratory Externship

Selected students may participate in a 4-week (up to 40-hour) pharmacy externship. This unpaid, observational experience is scheduled around school hours and introduces students to the pharmacy technician role and program expectations. Participation does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Phase 3. Education & Training

Selected students are enrolled in Pharmacy Technician University (PTU) 101, an accredited online program provided by TRC Healthcare. The training includes approximately 127 hours of self-paced coursework that can be completed outside of school hours. For more information, visit the PTU Program Overview >>

Phase 4. Licensure

Guardian covers the cost of initial state pharmacy technician licensure fees for students who successfully complete PTU 101 and meet all state requirements. Licensure requirements vary by state and may include:

• A state pharmacy technician examination
• The national PTCB certification exam. For states requiring PTCB certification for initial licensure, Guardian offers PTU PTCB exam preparation coursework and covers the cost of one exam attempt
• Experiential hours. Some states require pharmacist-supervised internship hours (up to 160), which are paid by Guardian and scheduled around academic commitments.

Phase 5. Employment Opportunity

Students who demonstrate strong performance, professionalism, and alignment with our values may be considered for other internship or employment opportunities after:

• Completing PTU 101 training;
• Graduating high school;
• Fulfilling all state licensure requirements, including applicable exams and experiential hours; and
• Meeting all Guardian hiring requirements, including reference checks, background screening, and drug testing

PTU PTCB exam preparation and one (1) covered certification exam attempt are available to eligible current Guardian employee licensed pharmacy technicians.

The program teaches the skills required to work as a pharmacy technician in a closed-door institutional pharmacy setting, including:

• Understanding the soft skill expectations of a pharmacy technician.
• Complying with pharmacy laws, HIPAA/HITECH, CMS and other healthcare regulations.
• Correctly processing medication orders and preparing, storing and distributing medications.
• Applying patient safety and medication safety practices.
• Identifying, handling and safely disposing of hazardous materials.
• Preparing medications requiring sterile, non-sterile and chemotherapy compounding.
• Applying basic knowledge of pharmacology, medication management, and inventory management in the pharmacy.

The career outlook for pharmacy technicians is very positive, with an estimated job growth of 6% over the next 10 years. On average, about 49,000 openings for pharmacy technicians are projected each year over the next decade. 

How much time will students need to commit each week?

PTU 101 includes approximately 127 total hours of online coursework, similar to a one-semester elective. When completed over 16 weeks, students typically spend about 6–10 hours per week on coursework, scheduled at their own pace, after school or on weekends.

Is the exploratory externship paid?

The externship is an unpaid, observational learning experience that introduces students to a long-term care pharmacy environment, helps assess interest in the program and pharmacy technician role, and familiarizes them with workplace expectations.

Are experiential hours paid?

In states that require experiential hours for pharmacy technician licensure, Guardian provides paid, pharmacist-supervised internships scheduled around school activities and completed after school or on weekends with flexible pacing.

What costs does Guardian cover?

Guardian Pharmacy covers the cost of PTU coursework (approximately a $450 value), initial state pharmacy technician licensure fees, and one PTCB certification exam attempt, if required.

When are students eligible for employment?

Students may complete the exploratory externship and begin PTU 101 coursework during high school. However, most states require technicians to be at least 18 years old and to hold a high school diploma or GED before licensure and employment. Students may be eligible to apply for employment with Guardian after completing training and meeting all licensure and Guardian hiring requirements. Program completion does not guarantee employment.

How much do students earn after being hired?

Students who are offered employment enter pharmacy technician roles with competitive pay, opportunities for wage increases after certification, and access to benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and a 401(k).

Are background checks and drug screening required?

Reference checks, background screening, and drug testing are required for pharmacy employment.

Do students need their own transportation?

Students must have reliable transportation to complete externship and internship hours and, if hired, to commute to work.

What career opportunities can this lead to?

Pharmacy technicians may advance into roles such as lead technician, billing or data entry supervisor, operations positions, pharmacy management, and director-level pharmacy careers. Many professionals begin as technicians and build long-term careers in pharmacy.

Why choose this program over traditional college or trade options?

Students choose this program for several reasons: a four-year degree is not required, there is no tuition or student debt for the program, opportunities exist for direct employment after graduation and program completion, healthcare offers strong job stability, and there is meaningful long-term career growth potential.