Becoming a pharmacy technician in Aurora, Colorado

Aurora is the third largest city in Colorado (behind Denver and Colorado Springs) with an official population of 386,261 as of the 2020 census. That’s a healthy population growth rate of 19% since 2010, one of the highest in the country, which means that demand for all types of health professionals is growing.

These days Aurora has pretty much grown together with Denver, so you can’t really tell when you leave Denver and enter Aurora.

Pharmacy tech schools in Aurora

So how do you get a pharmacy technician license in Aurora? One obvious route is to apply to one of the schools in the city offering pharmacy tech classes. There are three schools within the city limits:

1. Pima Medical Institute of Aurora

Pima Medical Institute, Aurora, Colorado

Address: 13750 E. Mississippi Ave Aurora, CO 80012

Website: https://pmi.edu/locations/colorado/aurora/

Pima opened its Aurora campus in 2012 to server the greater Denver community with real-world medical programs. For an on-campus pharmacy technician program you may have to travel to the Denver campus for. This campus offers five certificate programs, one associate degree program and the Expanded Duties Dental Assistant course.

Pima’s Aurora location is off the I-225 and Mississippi Avenue, just west of Town Center Mall.

2. Pickens Technical College of Aurora

Address: 500 Airport Blvd, Aurora, CO 80011

Website: https://www.pickenstech.org/

Pickens has been serving the Aurora area through 50 years. They’re a technical college offering courses jointly approved by the Colorado Community College and Occupational Education System and by the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education.

Their pharmacy technician program is a one year training class focused on teaching students how to perform clerical work in medical settings, verify accuracy of patient information, prepare medications or medical solutions, process medical billing information and maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment. Upon completing the program, you will be prepared to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam (PTCB).

3. University of Colorado School of Pharmacy

Address: 12850 E Montview Blvd, Aurora, CO 80045

Website: https://pharmacy.cuanschutz.edu/

The Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Anschutz Medical Campus doesn’t offer any pharmacy technician programs, but we thought we’d mention them since they offer a four year PharmD program.

Their hands-on training is dynamic, interprofessional and career-driven. From their entry-level PharmD program to flexible online degrees, their curriculum is innovative and agile, preparing students to be leaders in the emerging pharmacy careers of the future.

Pharmacy Technician Jobs in Aurora

The largest employers of pharmacy technicians in Aurora are the hospitals and pharmacies listed. The national chains offer training on the job.

Pharmacies employing pharmacy technicians in Aurora

The pharmacies below will be your go-to places for getting a job as a retail pharmacy technician in Aurora, Colorado. This can be a great starting point as you can start out as a cashier or another entry-level position and work your way into a full-time position. Look out for employers that offer on the job training programs. These can also be structured as apprenticeships – try searching for variations on the term and you may find an unexpected way to a job while earning your certification at the same time.

  • Walgreens Pharmacy
  • Safeway Pharmacy
  • King Soopers Pharmacy
  • Rite Aid Pharmacy
  • Sams Club Pharmacy
  • Walmart Pharmacy
  • Albertsons Pharmacy
  • CVS Pharmacy

Hospitals hiring Aurora pharmacy technicians

  • Jefferson Hills
    1290 S Potomac St
    Aurora,CO 80012
  • Medical Center Of Aurora-South
    1501 S Potomac St
    Aurora,CO 80012
  • Kindred Hospital Aurora
    700 Potomac St Fl 2
    Aurora,CO 80011
  • Medical Center Of Aurora North
    700 Potomac St
    Aurora,CO 80011
  • Spalding Rehabilitation Hosp
    900 Potomac St
    Aurora,CO 80011
  • University Of Colorado Hospital
    12605 E 16th Ave
    Aurora,CO 80045
  • Children’s Hospital Colorado
    13123 E 16th Ave
    Aurora,CO 80045

Aurora Pharmacy Technician Salary

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics counts Aurora as part of the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO area. For the latest period, there are 3,440 pharmacy technicians employed with a mean annual wage of $41,840. That’s slightly higher than the wage in the entire state of Colorado, which is $40,550.

The mean hourly wage for pharm techs in Aurora is $20.12.

So what can you expect to earn starting out as a pharmacy technician in Aurora, CO?

Starting salaries are between $19 and $27 per hour for entry positions. The employers offering these jobs are:

  • Medical Center of Aurora
  • UC Health Aurora, CO
  • The Children’s Hospital Colorado

If you have completed a pharmacy technician program or have a nationally recognized certification you will earn closer to the $27 per hour than if you do not – it’s worth it to get certified!

Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash.

Data sources:

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