Pharmacy Technician Trainee Program
Become a Certified Pharmacy Technician with University Hospitals
The University Hospitals Pharmacy Technician Training Program is a paid, ASHP-accredited program designed to prepare you for a successful, long-term career in pharmacy. Whether you're just getting started or looking for a career change, our program offers the hands-on training, classroom education, and career support you need to succeed—all at no cost to you.
Why Choose UH’s Pharmacy Technician Program?
ASHP Accreditation
Accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), our program follows the highest national standards for pharmacy technician education. You'll receive the qualifications you need to become nationally certified and licensed in the state of Ohio.
Earn While You Learn
This is a paid apprenticeship program—trainees are paid hourly during both classroom instruction and clinical rotations. There’s no tuition or enrollment fee.
Hands-On Clinical Rotations
Students rotate through hospital, retail, mail order, and specialty pharmacy settings, gaining real-world experience in a variety of pharmacy environments.
PTCB Certification Exam Prep
Our curriculum is designed to fully prepare you for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), helping you earn your CPhT designation.
What You’ll Learn
- Pharmacy law and regulatory compliance
- Pharmaceutical calculations and dosage conversions
- Medication safety and drug classifications
- Inventory management and compounding
- Prescription processing and insurance billing
- Patient communication and customer service
- Inpatient and outpatient pharmacy operations
Job Placement Support
Trainees receive job search assistance and priority hiring consideration within the University Hospitals system.
Program Details
- Length: 16 weeks (full-time)
- Schedule:
- Classroom: Monday–Wednesday (7:00 AM – 3:30 PM)
- Rotations: Thursday–Friday (hours vary by site)
- Location: Various UH campuses across Northeast Ohio
- Transportation: Reliable transportation is required to travel to assigned rotation sites, which may vary throughout the program
- Study Expectations: In addition to scheduled training hours, outside study time is required to prepare for exams, complete assignments, and stay on track for national certification
- Cost: Free tuition + Paid apprenticeship
Admission Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Strong interest in healthcare and patient care
- Successful phone or on-site interview
- Background check (conducted after acceptance)
- Obtain an Ohio Pharmacy Technician Trainee License ($25, post-acceptance)
How to Apply
Step 1: Complete the Interest Form (Below) to be notified when applications open.
Step 2: Prepare your resume and brush up on interview skills.
Step 3: If selected, you’ll be contacted to schedule an interview.
Pharmacy Technician Information
- Pharmacy Technician Quick Facts
- Pharmacy Technician Employment and Wage Statistics
- Current University Hospitals Pharmacy Technician Employment Opportunities
2026 Classes
February 2026
June 2026
November 2026
Technician Stories
Chelsea Stenger, CPhT
Judith Hurless, CPhT
Justin Johnson, CPhT
Rotation Sites Available
- UH Cleveland Medical Center
- UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital
- UH Ahuja Medical Center
- UH Elyria Medical Center
- UH Geauga Medical Center
- UH Lake West Medical Center
- UH Parma Medical Center
- UH Portage Medical Center
- UH Samaritan Medical Center
- UH St. John Medical Center
- UH Tri-Point Medical Center
- Bolwell Health Center Pharmacy
- Gates Pharmacy
- Gerald Zlotnik Family Pharmacy/University Hospitals Rainbow Center Pharmacy
- UH Mentor Pharmacy
- Minoff Pharmacy
- UH Westlake Pharmacy
- Home Care/Home Delivery services
For More Information
Please email Chelsea Jones for more information about our program or how to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the tuition cost?
-
Currently UH does not require tuition. This is an employer based apprenticeship program. Trainees are compensated for their in class and on site time.
- What is the uniform?
-
Trainees are provided with two uniform t-shirts that are required to be worn at rotation sites. Proper bottom attire is provided by the trainees (scrub pants of any color, khakis, dress slacks, etc). Closed toed shoes are required for all pharmacy settings.
- What are the current graduation and passing rates?
-
Graduation Rates (Updated July 2025) Cohort Accepted Graduated Cohort 2 (Dec. 2020)
5
3
Cohort 3 (May 2021)
8
6
Cohort 4 (Sept. 2021)
8
6
Cohort 5 (Jan. 2022)
20
18
Cohort 6 (May 2022)
18
17
Cohort 7 (Aug. 2022)
17
12
Cohort 8 (Jan. 2023)
9
6
Cohort 9 (May 2023)
7
6
Cohort 10 (December 2023)
14
10
Cohort 11 (April 2024)
20
10
Cohort 12 (September 2024)
16
12
Cohort 13 (January 2025)
14
11
Cohort 14 (May 2025)
13
PTCB Tests (Updated July 2025) Cohort Tested Passed Cohort 2
3
3
Cohort 3
6
5
Cohort 4
6
6
Cohort 5
17
8
Cohort 6
17
7
Cohort 7
9
3
Cohort 8
5
5
Cohort 9
6
4
Cohort 10
10
8
Cohort 11
11
9
Cohort 12
11
9*
Cohort 13
11
9*
*Still testing
- What is the schedule?
-
Class days are Monday-Wednesday mornings. Rotation site schedules can vary depending on where trainees are assigned.
- Can I choose my rotation site?
-
No. Rotation sites are assigned at random.
- Is there travel involved?
-
Yes. Trainees must attend class in person at UH Cleveland Medical Center main campus and have reliable transportation to their assigned rotation site.
- Is the Pharmacy Technician Trainee Program only for current University Hospitals employees?
-
No! This program is open to all qualified candidates, whether internal University Hospitals employees or external applicants. Anyone who meets the enrollment requirements is encouraged to apply.