Pharmacy Technician Advanced - ASHP/ACPE Accredited Associate of Applied Technology Degree
Pharmacy technicians process prescriptions, prepare intravenous drugs, order and stock medications, prepare billing, and operate and troubleshoot automated drug-dispensing systems.
Successful graduates of this program are educated and trained in pharmacy technician duties and responsibilities under the dual guidelines of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
The structured classroom curriculum includes customer service, communication, prescription processing, aseptic technique, human relations, and pharmacy calculations. The clinical component of the program gives students the chance to practice the skills they learn in the classroom and laboratory environment. This prepares students to assume the role of a pharmacy technician in community, hospital, long term care, compounding and other types of pharmacies.
Included in this program are academic courses in communication, quantitative reasoning, and social sciences that provide knowledge and abilities that enhance personal development and serve as a foundation for technical skills.
This program is a combination of online, classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience. During the clinical experience quarter, students are required to attend 40 hours per week of clinical experience, Monday through Friday. Actual times may vary by pharmacy; most will be day shift hours.
The Pharmacy Technician daytime program is supported with I-BEST classes. The I-BEST classroom offers a team-teaching approach, providing students with twice the support at no extra cost. With I-BEST, you will work with two teachers in the classroom. One teacher will provide job training (pharmacy technician). The other will teach basic skills in reading, writing, math, English language and employability. You'll learn several topics at once, earn college credits and move faster toward your career or education goals.
Employability Requirements
Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) requires:
- Completion of an approved pharmacy technician program.
- Proof of passing a national pharmacy technician certification examination (PTCE).
- Students must have a high school diploma (i.e., GED) prior to applying for the Washington state license.
- A comprehensive background check will be conducted to screen for prior convictions.
- Drug use, criminal background checks, and immunization status may prevent completion of the program and/or future employment as a pharmacy technician.
Physical Requirements
Students of the Pharmacy Technician program are required to discriminate increment readings on syringes and discriminate different colored and shaped objects. Students need to be able to recognize and respond to voices under protective garb and over the phone. Excellent fine motor skills are required. Must be able to type 35 WPM by the end or our first quarter. During compounding students will need to stand for long periods wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) with arms out in front of them. Students are expected to be able to lift 25 lbs. and push pull carts up to 50 lbs.
Program Length
This program is approximately five quarters long, depending on the time students need to satisfactorily complete all graduation requirements.
Admission Dates
Spring and Fall starts are daytime programs.
Winter start is an evening program.
Program Outcomes
• Perform mathematical calculations essential to the duties of pharmacy technicians in a variety of settings.
• Select appropriate medication from inventory.
• Apply state and federal laws pertaining to processing, handling, and dispensing of medications including controlled substances.
• Apply patient and medication safety practices in aspects of the pharmacy technician’s roles.
• Fill prescriptions/medication orders to ensure completeness, accuracy, authenticity, and safety.
• Summarize the national test standards and information in order to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.
Completion Requirements
Prerequisite(s)
To enter the program, students must meet the prerequisites for college-level reading, writing, and math. Students must maintain a “C” or above in all technical and general education courses to continue in the program.
Students will have a comprehensive background check performed by the PQAC as well as Castle Branch prior to their clinical rotation. A non-refundable fee is charged to each student for the background check. . Students must have current immunizations or laboratory verification of immune status. This could include, but is not limited to, Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Hepatitis B series and titer, Tetanus/ Diphtheria, Tuberculosis Test, COVID, Current Flu and Varicella, as required by contracts with clinical facilities and CDC recommendations. It is recommended to get started on your Hepatitis B series as soon as possible. This series can take 6 to 7 months to complete.
Students must have current American Heart Association CPR for the Healthcare Professional certification. Due dates for your CPR and immunizations will be discussed the first day of class.
Students can not start their clinical experience prior to turning 18, due to state licensing laws they cannot practice or become licensed until they turn 18.
Program Course List
NOTE: PSYC& 100DIV or higher, but not PSY 112