Kern County's pharmacies serve one of California's fastest-growing populations — retail chains across Bakersfield, hospital pharmacies inside Adventist Health, Kern Medical, and Dignity Health facilities, and a growing base of specialty and long-term care pharmacy operations.
Certified pharmacy technicians are the workforce behind all of it, and California's registration requirements make formal training the practical entry point.
For Bakersfield students, pharmacy technology offers a nine-month route into stable healthcare employment across settings from patient-facing counters to hospital clean rooms.
Imagine America has partnered with Carrington College in Bakersfield, CA — a campus training Kern County healthcare workers as part of a college founded in 1967. The Pharmacy Technology program prepares students for the PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician exam in as few as 9 months.
About Imagine America Foundation (IAF)
The Imagine America Foundation (IAF) is a nonprofit organization supporting students pursuing career-oriented education at recognized trade schools and career colleges across the U.S. Since 1982, the Foundation has helped students navigate the financial aspects of technical and vocational training.
IAF provides scholarship programs including the Imagine America High School Scholarship for graduating seniors, the Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP) for adult learners, and the Military Award Program (MAP) for veterans. The Foundation also offers financial literacy guidance, career exploration tools, and resources for choosing the right program.
Over $10 million in tuition assistance is provided annually to students attending career and technical colleges nationwide.
Start Your Pharmacy Technician Career with Carrington College
Carrington's Pharmacy Technology program in Bakersfield leads to a certificate in as few as 9 months, combining pharmacology coursework, hands-on lab practice, and externship experience to prepare graduates for the PTCB CPhT exam and California pharmacy employment.
- Certificate in as few as 9 months
- PTCB CPhT exam preparation built into the curriculum
- Hands-on pharmacy lab on campus
- Part of a full healthcare campus with nursing, surgical tech, and respiratory programs
What You'll Learn
The curriculum covers pharmacology, pharmacy calculations, prescription processing, compounding fundamentals, inventory management, and pharmacy law — with lab practice on campus and externship experience in working pharmacies.
Certification and Credentials
Graduates earn a certificate of achievement and are prepared for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board's CPhT exam — the national standard credential — along with California's pharmacy technician registration requirements.
Where Pharmacy Technicians Work
Retail chains, hospital pharmacies within Bakersfield's major health systems, mail-order and specialty pharmacies, and long-term care pharmacy operations — settings spanning heavy patient interaction to behind-the-scenes work.
Career Outlook in Kern County
Prescription volume grows with Kern County's population, and certified technicians are the candidates pharmacies compete for — in a state that employs more pharmacy technicians than any other.
Training Services
- Pharmacology Fundamentals
- Pharmacy Calculations
- Prescription Processing
- Compounding Fundamentals
- Pharmacy Inventory Management
- Pharmacy Law & Ethics
- Campus Pharmacy Lab Training
- PTCB CPhT Exam Preparation
Take the First Step Toward Your Career Today
A strong foundation from the right training program sets the stage for a successful career. Explore training programs, meet expert instructors, and discover how quality education can lead to a rewarding future.
Start Your Pharmacy Career TodayFrequently Asked Questions
How long is the Pharmacy Technology program at Carrington Bakersfield?
The certificate program can be completed in as few as 9 months.
What certification will I prepare for?
Graduates are prepared for the PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) exam, the national standard, along with California pharmacy technician registration requirements.
Where do pharmacy technicians work in Bakersfield?
Retail pharmacy chains, hospital pharmacies within Adventist Health, Kern Medical, and Dignity Health facilities, and specialty and long-term care pharmacy operations across Kern County.
Are scholarships available for Carrington pharmacy tech students?
Yes. Imagine America Foundation scholarships are available to qualifying high school seniors attending Carrington College. Create a free profile to see what you qualify for.
