Guardian’s pharmacy technician track gives high school students a direct pathway into a healthcare career.
Guardian Pharmacy pays for your training, mentors you through certification, and hires you after graduation — so you can start building your future right away.
26 Weeks
Program Length
12-15 Hours
Estimated Hours of Weekly Effort
$43K*
Average Starting Salary
6%
Estimated Job Growth
What is a Pharmacy Technician?
Pharmacy technicians help make sure people get the medications they need—safely, accurately, and on time. They work as part of a healthcare team, supporting pharmacists by preparing prescriptions, organizing medications, and keeping pharmacy operations running smoothly. It’s a hands-on role that builds real healthcare skills, responsibility, and confidence. Many technicians grow into advanced pharmacy positions or use the experience as a stepping stone into other healthcare careers.
Program Details
What is the Program Pathway?
How the Program Works
- Guardian Pharmacy offers high school and technical school students the opportunity to complete the online didactic portion of Pharmacy Technician University (PTU) 101 while still in school.
- PTU is an accredited pharmacy technician course provided by TRC Healthcare.
- Program Overview
- Student Login
- After completing the online coursework, students will complete a 130-hour externship (unpaid, job-shadow experience) within six (6) months, typically after school or on weekends.
- In exchange for coverage of tuition costs and initial licensure fees, students commit to one year of employment with Guardian Pharmacy upon completion of training and high school graduation (or repayment of the $450 course cost).
- Employment begins when the student has graduated high school, completed PTU 101, and fulfilled externship hours.
- Guardian will pay all initial state technician licensure fees.
- For states requiring PTCB certification for initial technician licensure, Guardian will offer PTCB preparation courses through PTU and cover costs of one (1) PTCB exam ($129 application and exam fee and $49 renewal fee every two years).
- All Guardian Pharmacy employees must pass an initial interview, reference checks, background check, and drug screen.
- Guardian will offer current employee licensed pharmacy technicians the opportunity to complete PTCB exam preparation coursework through PTU and cover the cost of one (1) PTCB exam.
Skills Learned
What skills will students learn?
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.
Job Guarantee
Guardian Employment Details
In exchange for coverage of tuition an initial licensure fees, students commit to one year of employment with Guardian Pharmacy upon completion of training and high school graduation (or repayment of the $450 course cost). All Guardian Pharmacy employees must pass a background check and drug screen.
Career Outlook
Pharmacy Technician Professional (ASHP/ACPE) Job Opportunities
The career outlook for Pharmacy Technicians is very positive, with an estimated job growth of 6% over the next 10 years, which is faster than average. On average, about 49,000 openings for pharmacy technicians are projected each year over the next decade.
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FAQs
1. What is the program?
This program gives high school students a direct pathway into a healthcare career by training to become a pharmacy technician. Students complete an online pharmacy technician course (PTU 101) and a hands-on externship during high school, then transition into a paid role with Guardian Pharmacy after graduation.
2. How much time will students need to commit each week?
The online PTU coursework requires 92–128 total hours, similar to a one-semester elective. If completed over 16 weeks, students should expect to spend approximately 6–8 hours per week on coursework, completed after school, on weekends, or at their own pace.
3. When and how does the externship work?
Students complete 130 hours of onsite externship/job shadowing at a Guardian pharmacy location within six months. Hours are scheduled around school activities and can be completed after school or on weekends with flexible pacing.
4. Is the externship paid? No. The externship is an unpaid learning experience that prepares students to enter the workforce confidently after graduation.
5. When will my student be eligible to work?
Students can begin coursework and externship during high school, but most states require technicians to be 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED before being licensed and hired.
6. What costs does Guardian cover?
Guardian Pharmacy pays for the PTU coursework (~$450 value), initial state pharmacy technician licensure fees, and one PTCB certification exam attempt (if required). Students must work one year after hiring or repay training costs.
7. What will my student earn after being hired?
Students are hired into pharmacy technician roles with competitive pay, raises available after certification, and access to benefits including health insurance, paid time off, and a 401k.
8. Are background checks and drug screening required?
Yes. Background checks and drug screenings are required for pharmacy employment.
9. Does my student need their own transportation?
Yes. Students must have reliable transportation to complete externship hours and later to commute to work after graduation.
10. What career opportunities can this lead to?
Pharmacy technicians can grow into roles such as lead technician, billing/data entry supervisor, operations roles, pharmacy management positions, and even director-level pharmacy careers. Many professionals begin as techs and build long-term careers in pharmacy.
11. Why choose this program over traditional college or trade options?
No four-year degree required, no tuition or student debt for this training, direct employment after graduation, strong job security in healthcare, and a clear pathway from student to certified pharmacy technician with real career advancement potential.