Pharmacy Technician - Certificate

Successful graduates of this program are educated and trained in Pharmacy Technician duties and responsibilities under the guidelines of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

The structured classroom curriculum includes customer service, communication, prescription processing, aseptic technique, along with human relations, and pharmacy calculations. The clinical component of the program gives the student a chance to practice the skills received in the classroom and laboratory environment. This prepares the student to assume the role of a pharmacy technician in a variety of pharmacy settings.

Included in this program are academic courses in communication, quantitative reasoning, and social sciences that provide knowledge and abilities upon which technical skills are built and personal development enhanced.

This program is a combination of classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience. Each student is required to carry personal health/medical insurance throughout their clinical rotations. Quarterly-based insurance for students may be purchased; further information is available through the Counseling and Advising Office.

No student will be allowed at clinical sites without proof of insurance.

Prerequisites: Before starting the program, a student must provide a copy of a high school diploma or GED. To enter the program, a student must meet the prerequisite for college level reading, writing, and math. They must have completed a college-level math course, CAH 105 Computer Applications or the equivalent and a 5 credit Medical Terminology course. Students must maintain a B or above in all technical and general education courses to continue in the program.

Students will have a criminal background check performed by the Washington State Patrol and the Washington State Board of Pharmacy prior to their clinical rotation. Students must be at least 18 years of age by the time clinical experience starts. Students must have current immunizations or laboratory verification of immune status. This could include, but not be limited to, Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Hepatitis B series, Tetanus/ Diphtheria, Flu, Tuberculosis Test, and Varicella, as required by contracts with clinical facilities and CDC recommendations.

Students must have current CPR for the Healthcare Professional. Proof of immunizations should be submitted the first day of class, unless arrangements have been made with instructor.

Admission Dates: The Pharmacy Technician course sequence begins Summer, Fall and Spring quarters.

Program Requirements

To review course descriptions, please click here.