Pharmacy Technician

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Pharmacy Technician

Requirements Before Starting

  • Highschool Diploma or HiSET
  • Working knowledge of Windows-based PC and Microsoft Office

*(2) Two-Step Tuberculin Skin Tests must be completed within 12 months prior to the class start date (One week’s time is required between first and second skin tests. Tests are performed by the healthcare provider of your choice

**Iowa Western will perform background and drug screening for anyone who wishes to register for the course

About the Program

  • 196-hour program offers both theoretical and practical training
  • Complete a 60-hour externship in a retail pharmacy, as well as two, 8-hour shifts in an acute/hospital pharmacy
  • Plan for some flexibility for the required 76 hours of externship. The hours of participation are established in conjunction with the hosting pharmacy. Hours and days will vary
  • Upon completion of the program, you will take the PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) exam.
  • Cindy Burbank has been a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) through the PTCB since 1997.  She has nearly 30 years of working in the pharmacy industry and has worked in all aspects, ranging from mail orders to clinical pharmacies.

E2E Assistance Education 2 Employment Tuition Assistance

Are you an Iowa resident? You may qualify for FREE tuition for one of the four programs listed below!
Education 2 Employment provides FREE tuition assistance to residents of Iowa to grow their career skills and further their education.

Available Courses

   09/11/2025 - Council Bluffs Campus

September 11-Decemeber 16, 2025

Class Time:  September 11-November 19th  Tues./ Thurs. 9:00am-3:00pm  Looft Hall Room 112
Clinical:  November 14th- December 8th  Dates,Times and Locations TBA
Follow up dates: December 9th,11th,& December 16th  9:00am-3:00pm  Looft Hall Room 112

More information/reg form:  https://www.iwcc.edu/ce/pharmacy-technician/

Contact (712) 325-3255  or  Email:  ce@iwcc.edu for more information. 

Start Date: 09/11/2025
End Date: 12/16/2025
Seats Available: 7
Cost: $1689
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 08/31/2025 3:45 am
   02/17/2026 - Council Bluffs

Pharmacy Technician CB Campus February 17 – May 21, 2026
Class Time: February 17th- April 21st from  9am-3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Looft Hall, Room 112
Clinical: April 22nd- May 13th-   Location and Times TBD
Follow up dates:  May 14th,19th & 21st from 9am-3pm in Looft Hall, Room 112

For more information/registration form:  https://www.iwcc.edu/ce/pharmacy-technician/
Contact (712) 325-3255  or Email: ce@iwcc.edu for more information. 

Start Date: 02/17/2026
End Date: 05/21/2026
Seats Available: 8
Cost: $1689
Location: Council Bluffs
Last Updated: 08/31/2025 3:45 am


Refunds: You may cancel your registration 5 business days prior to the start of the class date and receive a 100% refund excluding the $50 non-refundable processing fee. If contacting outside Iowa Western Community College’s Continuing Education Department business hours, leave a voicemail and or send the department an email. Iowa Western’s Continuing Education is not responsible for refunds if contact is not pursued via voicemail and or email. In compliance with the IWCC policy, refunds will only be produced in the form of a check.  A check will be issued within 14 business days after the refund is admitted to the customer. Refund will be sent to the customer’s address that is on file. Certain program restrictions may apply. Contact Continuing Education for more details at ce@iwcc.edu.

Cancellations: Iowa Western reserves the right to cancel any class where difficulties arise in staffing or scheduling or where a minimum enrollment is not achieved.  A full refund will be issued for all canceled classes.

Transfers/Withdrawals: Transfers may be subject to $25.00 transfer fee.  Non-attendance for a class does not constitute a withdrawal and refunds are not issued for non-attendance.  Transfers may be made up to two full business days (unless otherwise noted in the class information) prior to the start date of the class.  After that time, transfers will not be permitted and no refund will be issued.