Pharmacy Technician AAT Degree

Pharmacy technicians process prescriptions, prepare intravenous drugs, order and stock medications, prepare billing, and operate and trouble shoot automated drug dispensing systems.

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, 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 Advising/Counseling Office. No student will be allowed at clinical sites without proof of insurance.

Students pursuing an AAT or AAS-T degree must complete all college degree requirements prior to graduation. This includes courses that meet the capstone project, diversity, and computer literacy requirements.

Prerequisites: Before starting the program a student must provide a copy of a high school diploma or GED.

To enter the program, students 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 equivalent, and a five 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, Tuberculosis Test, current flu 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. The college level math class, 5 credit Medical Terminology and Computer Applications need to be completed prior to entry. Students may take the remaining General Education courses at any time.

AAT Program Requirements

Click here to review course descriptions