Pharmacy Technology Diploma (PT22)  Diploma


Program Description:

The Pharmacy Technology diploma is designed to enable the student to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for employment within a pharmacy. Program graduates will be able to perform a variety of technical duties related to preparing and dispensing drugs in accordance with standard procedures and laws under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. A variety of clinical experiences is designed to integrate theory and practice. Graduates will be employable as entry-level pharmacy technician.

Entrance date:

  • Core courses: Each semester
  • Occupationally specific courses: Each semester
  • Program admission requirements:

Minimum Test Scores

ACCUPLACER NEXT GENERATION– Reading 236 ACCUPLACER- Sentence Skills 60
Writing 232 Reading Comp 64
Arithmetic 235 Arithmetic 40
  • High School diploma or equivalent required for admission. Applicant must be at least 16 years old.
  • In addition, students must be at least 17 years old at the start of their practicum experience.
  • Every program graduate is at least 18 years of age, and is a high school graduate, or possesses a high school equivalency certificate.
  • Applicants must submit a satisfactory criminal record check and must pass a drug screening before starting the practicum courses.
  • Documentation of a negative tuberculosis skin test or chest X-ray is required for orientation and every six months while enrolled in the program.

Credits required for graduation: 56

Beginning Spring 2022 (January 2022), ALL FIRST TIME college students will be required to take the College Success (COLL 1020) course.



Job Outlook:

The employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 4 percent from 2020 to 2030, slower than the average for all occupations.

  • 2017 Median Pay: $35,100 per year; $16.87/hour
  • Number of jobs 2020: 419,300
  • Job Outlook: 2016-26: 4% (slower than average)
  • Employment Change: 2020-30: 16,600

Employment

Despite limited employment growth, about 31,700 openings for pharmacy technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Year of Graduation Number of Students Taking the Exam Pass Rate After First Attempt
Fall 2022 1 100%
Spring 2022 1 100%
Fall 2021 2 50%
Spring 2021 1 100%
Fall 2020 1 100%

The Pharmacy Technology program is accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists.

Basic Skills Courses 9 credits
ENGL 1010

Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.

3
MATH 1012

Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, formula manipulation, technical applications, and basic statistics.

3
PSYC 1010

Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social relations.

3
Occupational Courses 47 credits
ALHS 1011

Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

5
COMP 1000

Introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include an introduction to computer terminology, the Windows environment, Internet and email, word processing software, spreadsheet software, database software, and presentation software.

3
ALHS 1090

Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy.

2
PHAR 1000
Prerequisites: MATH 1111, MATH 1012

This course develops knowledge and skills in pharmaceutical calculations procedures. Topics include: systems of measurement, medication dispensing calculations, pharmacy mathematical procedures, and calculation tools and techniques.

4
PHAR 1010

Provides an overview of the pharmacy technology field and develops the fundamental concepts and principles necessary for successful participation in the pharmacy field. Topics include: safety, orientation to the pharmacy technology field, Fundamental principles of chemistry, basic laws of chemistry, ethics and laws, definitions and terms, and reference sources.

5
PHAR 1040

The course introduces the students to principles and knowledge about all classifications of medication. Topics include: disease states and treatment modalities, pharmaceutical side effects and drug interactions, control substances, specific drugs, and drug addiction and abuse.

4
PHAR 1020
Prerequisites: PHAR 1000, PHAR 1010, PHAR 1040

This course introduces the student to principles of receiving, storing, and dispensing medications. Topics include: purchasing, packaging, and labeling drugs; pharmacy policies and procedures; documentation; inventory and filing systems; compounding; storage and control; pharmacy equipment; and health care organizational structure. This course provides laboratory and clinical practice.

4
PHAR 1030
Prerequisites: PHAR 1000, PHAR 1010, PHAR 1040

Continues the development of student knowledge and skills in preparing medication, processing glassware, and maintaining an aseptic environment. Topics include: aseptic and sterile techniques, parenteral admixtures, hyperalimentation, chemotherapy, filtering, disinfecting, contamination, ophthalmic preparations, infection control, and quality control.

4
PHAR 1050
Prerequisites: PHAR 1020, PHAR 1030

Orients students to the clinical environment and provides experiences with the basic skills necessary for the pharmacy technician. Topics include: storage and control, documentation, inventory and billing, community practice, institutional practice, and communication,

5
PHAR 2060
Prerequisites: COMP 1000, PHAR 1030, PHAR 1050, PHAR 1020

This course presents the advanced concepts and principles needed in the pharmacy technology field. Topics include: physician orders, patient profiles, pharmacy data systems, job readiness, legal requirements, inventory and billing, pharmaceutical calculations review and pharmacology review.

3
PHAR 2070
Prerequisites: COMP 1000, PHAR 1030, PHAR 1050, PHAR 1020

Continues the development of student knowledge and skills applicable to pharmacy technology practice. Topics include: dispensing responsibilities, physician orders, controlled substances, hyperalimentation, chemotherapy, patient profiles, pharmacy data systems, ophthalmic preparations, and hospital/retail/home health pharmacy techniques.

5
ALHS 1040

Introduces a grouping of fundamental principles, practices, and issues common in the health care profession. In addition to the essential skills, students explore various delivery systems and related issues. Topics include: basic life support/CPR, basic emergency care/first aid and triage, vital signs, infection control/blood and air-borne pathogens.

3
Faculty
Click to view profile for JaNee Mobley
Program Chair

Chair of Pharmacy Technology

Advisor

Clinical Coordinator Pharmacy Technology

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