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Pathways: Pharmacy Technician

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Pharmacy Technician

Today's dynamic pharmacy environment requires that professionals understand clinical, administrative and reimbursement issues that the pharmacy organization faces on a daily basis.

Pharmacy technicians work in pharmacies under the direction of a pharmacist. Their main responsibility is filling prescriptions according to doctors' orders for patients. This comprehensive 120 hour training will prepare students to enter the pharmacy field and to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board's PTCB exam. You can visit their website at www.ptcb.org for more information on becoming nationally certified and view the PTCB Certification Application Guidelines, Requirements and Eligibility.

Course content includes medical terminology specific to the pharmacy, reading and interpreting prescriptions and defining drugs by generic and brand names. Students will learn dosage calculations, I.V. flow rates, drug compounding, dose conversions, dispensing of prescriptions, inventory control and online billing and reimbursement.

Because the Pharmacy Technician class is a non-credit training, it is not eligible for federal financial aid. The optional second term internship for college credit may be eligible.

Learn more:

Next Training Date: Spring Term, April 1, 2013.

Location: CLIMB Center for Advancement (near OMSI)

Schedule: 10am to 2pm, Mondays and Wednesday, and 8am to 12 noon on Fridays.

Click here for more information and the application - Applications will be accepted between February 8th and March 8th, 2013 for the Spring Term Course.

(Applications submitted before Feb. 8th will not be accepted and returned).

Written proof of minimum COMPASS testing scores of at least 50 in Pre-algebra, 82 in Reading and 70 in Writing must be submitted with the student application. COMPASS scores are REQUIRED - transcripts are not accepted in place of COMPASS scores.

 

This Pathway is offered in partnership with PCC CLIMB for Health Professionals and PCC Occupational Skills Department. Students wanting ONLY the Pharmacy Technician class can contact Bem Huynh, Academic Professional at the CLIMB for Health Professionals at phuoc.huynh@pcc.edu or visit PCC CLIMB Pharmacy Technician for additional information.

Career Pathways students will also attend, in addition to the PCC CLIMB Pharmacy Technician class, a weekly, 3-hour Career Planning course. In the Career Planning course students learn to hone their job search and internship development skills and receive job search assistance until they find employment.

Please Note: Anyone wishing to intern or work in a pharmacy in Oregon must obtain a Pharmacy Technician Initial License through the Oregon Board of Pharmacy. A thorough criminal background check is included in the application process and now includes a new Fingerprinting Requirement effective February 1, 2011 for each Pharmacy Technician license application. Click on the link above for additional details and costs for applying for the Oregon Board of Pharmacy Technician license. This initial license is for one year. During that year you must pass a national certification exam. Once you receive your national certification, you can then apply to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician. Please contact the Oregon Board of Pharmacy at 971-673-0001 or visit the Oregon Board of Pharmacy website if you have specific questions

 

Optional Internship (please contact Laurie Chadwick at 971-722-6233 or Occupational Skills Training at 971-722-6127 for information): Students wanting hands-on experience have the option of developing a second term internship through PCC Occupational Skills Training. This process is much like looking for work.  Students take the lead role in finding their own employer to provide a work site for an internship.  PCC does not "provide" you with an internship.  PCC will guide students in developing an internship and then work with the employer during the internship period.  PCC does cover the workman's compensation for the student during the internship. To be eligible for an internship through the Occupational Skills Training Program you must have obtained your Oregon Pharmacy Technician License and national certification by passing the PTCB national certification exam.

Features

  • Career Pathways students participate in a weekly three-hour Career Planning class in addition to the PCC Pharmacy Technician class. Students wanting only the Pharmacy Technician class should contact Bem Huynh at CLIMB for Health Professionals at phuoc.huynh@pcc.edu for more information.
  • In the Career Planning class a cohort learning community is developed and an Employment Specialist supports students as they pursue internship development and employment in this field. Students will develop their skills as a student, intern and job seeker and learn networking, resume writing, interviewing for their new occupation, internship development, etc.
  • This training is offered in partnership with PCC CLIMB Center and PCC Occupational Skills Department.

Estimated Cost Of Training:
Term 1: $2,812.05 (Includes tuition, books, license, certification and Career Planning course)
Term 2: $1,358.20 (Optional full-time internship)
Total: $4,170.25

Training Cost Sheet

Note: The figures above are based on the 2012/13 PCC fee structure. They are approximations and subject to change without notice.

Prerequisites

  • High school diploma or GED.

  • Written proof of minimum COMPASS testing scores of at least 50 in Pre-algebra, 82 in Reading and 70 in Writing must be submitted with the student application. All students must take the COMPASS test or present COMPASS scores that meet the pre-requisite levels. Transcripts will not be accepted in place of COMPASS scores. Students whose first language is not English must also take the COMPASS ESL test - placing into ESOL 264 Academic Communication or show successful completion of ESOL 254, 260 and 262. More information on these test can be found at the PCC Testing Center.

  • Additional prerequisites for Career Pathways students receiving Career Services:
  • Clean criminal history (or obtain your Oregon Pharmay Technician license prior to the start of class. Career Pathways students - $10 fee for a criminal background check prior to the start of the Pathway).
  • Background in customer service work.
  • Experience in MS Office Windows/Word or comparable program.
  • Must demonstrate ability to type 25-30 wpm.
  • Excel and 10-key preferred.
  • Able to multi-task and work on feet for long periods of time in a fast-paced environment with great attention to detail.

Course of Study

Course Number Course Name Credits
CEU 941Q

Pharmacy Technician -Offered through PCC CLIMB for Health Professionals

 non-credit
WFTT23

 

 Career Planning: This course is designed to build a learning community among students pursuing career pathways courses. Students will develop their skills as a student, intern and job seeker and learn networking, resume writing, interviewing for the new occupation, internship development, etc. non-credit
   

Term 2 (Optional)

Internship Students must pass national certification exam prior to start of an Occupational Skills Training internship for college credit. Call Laurie Chadwick at 971-722-6233 or Occupational Skills Training at 971-722-6127.

 8 - 16
Total Credits (Optional) 8 - 16

What should I do next to get into the training?

  1. Apply for Admission to the College.
  2. Take the college placement exam workshop (optional) .
  3. Take the COMPASS placement exam. You can call one of the PCC testing centers to schedule the exam.
  4. Contact Laurie Chadwick at 971-722-6233 for information about the Career Pathways option or Bem Huynh at phuoc.huynh@pcc.edu for the Pharmacy Technician class only.