Pathways: 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.
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. Anyone wishing to intern or work in a pharmacy in Oregon must be registered with the Oregon Board of Pharmacy. You can download their application at Oregon Board of Pharmacy application.
The start date for the next training is September 21, 2009.
Learn more:
Classes are generally offered three evenings each week with four hours per class.
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 you in developing an internship, then work with the employer during the internship period. PCC does cover the workmans compensation for the student during the internship.
- Career Pathways students will also attend a weekly, 3-hour Career Planning course either on Fridays from 9am - Noon at the SE Center (2305 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland) or on Tuesdays from 1-4pm at the Capital Career Center (1626 NW Walker Rd).
Features
- Students participate in three hours a week of Career Planning.
- A cohort learning community is developed and an Employment Specialist supports students as they pursue employment in this field.
- This training is offered in partnership with PCC Institute for Health Professionals and PCC Professional Skills Department.
- Students have the opportunity to participate in a Career Planning course in the first term of the training. Career Pathways is committed to working with students seeking employment for up to two months after completion of the training.
Estimated Cost Of Training:
Term 1: $3033.00
Term 2: $1,230.20 (includes optional full-time internship)
Total: $4263.20
Training Cost Sheet
Note: The figures above are based on the 2009/10 PCC fee structure. They are approximations and subject to change without notice. The cost not include Admission and Parking fee.
Prerequisites
- Students must have a clean criminal background or be able to obtain their Oregon Pharmacy Technician license prior to start of training.
- Students must have college placement test scores that place them into the following classes: Writing 115 Reading 115 Math 60
- Experience in MS Office Windows/Word/Excel
- Able to type 30 words per minute
- Able to multi-task and work on feet for long periods of time in a fast-paced environment
- Please download the application for PCC and mail the completed application to:
Institute for Health Professionals
Portland Community College
1626 SE Water Avenue, Room 114
Portland, OR 97214
Course of Study
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CEU 941Q | Pharmacy Technician | non-credit |
| WFTT23
(For students wanting the Pharmacy Technician training only, please call 503-731-6673) |
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. A job search portfolio will be used as an organizational framework for the course. | non-credit |
| Total Credits (Term 1) | non-credit | |
| Optional | Internship | 8 - 16 |
| Total Credits (Optional) | 8 - 16 | |
What should I do next to get into the training?
- Apply for Admission to the College.
- Take the college placement exam workshop.
- Take the COMPASS placement exam. You can call one of the PCC testing centers to schedule the exam.
- Contact Laurie Chadwick at 503-788-6233.