Pharmacy Technician

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Pharmacy Technician

Certificate

This program prepares students to work as Pharmacy Technicians. Learn basic pharmacy skills (reading prescriptions, order entry, IV medication prep, etc.). Students complete 56 credits, resulting in a Pharmacy Technician Certificate. The program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).

Estimated Length of Completion

Degree Quarters Credits
Certificate Full Time: 3 to 4
Part Time: Part Time Option Not Available		 56.0

Program lengths are estimates, not guarantees. For the most current program information, please check with the program contact.

This program starts every Fall quarter (Intensive Full Time completed in 3 quarters) and every Winter quarter (Regular Full Time completed in 4 quarters).

• College transcript showing successful completion of ENGL 098 with final placement into ENGL& 101 or placement into ENGL& 101 within last two years of application date
• College transcript showing successful completion of MATH 097 Elementary Algebra or equivalent or placement into MATH 098 Intermediate Algebra within one year of application date
• Higher level ENGL or MATH classes must be taken within the last five years of application date.
• High School Diploma or GED
• Must be 18 years of age
• Additional Information / Requirements:
     ◾ National Background Check
     ◾ Immunizations are required to be placed into externship
     ◾ HIV/AIDS education minimum of 4 hours per WA State Pharmacy Quality Assurance
     ◾ Commission requirements
     ◾ Active WA State Pharmacy Assistant License/Registration

  • Demonstrate the ability to accurately interpret the information on a new prescription, request any missing information, and enter it.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with brand and generic drug names, appearance, manufacturer, dosage forms(s), and route of administration for at least the top 100 drugs.
  • Demonstrate the ability to process a medication order completely, accurately, and efficiently (interpretation, drug product selection, computer warnings, packaging, and labeling, filling a prescription in an outpatient setting, and preparing IV medication using aseptic technique).
  • Demonstrate accuracy and timeliness in mathematical computation of ingredient amounts, doses, infusion rates, or any rel evant calculation encountered in an Outpatient and Inpatient setting.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with third party insurance and perform necessary functions for reimbursement.
  • Demonstrate knowledge in durable medical equipment to adequately communicate with patients about them.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacy law and apply to the prescription filling process.
  • Display acceptable communication skills during interactions with patients, coworkers and other health care professionals.
  • Display a professional attitude about the practice of pharmacy and the ability to problem-solve.
  • Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of medical terminology and basic rules of vocabulary building.

Job tests this program will prepare you for:

  • Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
  • ExCPT Exam

For current employment and wage estimates, please visit the following online resources and search for the relevant occupational term:

All costs are estimates and are not guarantees. For the most current program information, check with an adviser by calling 206.934.5391. There are additional costs for books and supplies. Each student is responsible for the purchase of certain supplies and required tools before the instruction begins.

Equipment Fee associated with this program

Hours may vary based on specific program requirements. For the most current program information, check with an adviser by calling 206.934.5391.

Worker Friendly

This program is offered at times and in formats that meet the needs of working adults. This includes:

  • Hybrid: Hybrid courses provide students with the scheduling flexibility of fewer campus visits while covering the same materials as an equivalent class held entirely on campus. Hybrid classes usually have at least one on-campus meeting per week combined with a "virtual classroom" with online content, lessons and activities.
  • Daytime: Courses offered between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM

Coursework

Course Course ID Credits Availability

This course covers the terminology surrounding anatomy, physiology, pathology, tests, and treatments. The student will learn basic medical word structure and language. An overview of the body including cavities and regions, anatomical planes and directional terms, divisions of the spine, and individual body systems. Spelling, pronunciation, and listening are practiced. Open to all students in healthcare professions. Contact the Workforce Instruction Division at (206) 934-3790 or Advising at (206) 934-3658 for information and to register. Note: This course replaces AHI 100 Introduction to Medical Vocabulary. Permission required.

AMA 117 5.0

This course will review the contributions made by nations of the world to the practice of pharmacy past and present. Course will review the role of professional pharmacy organizations, past and present, to improving the practice of pharmacy and the role of pharmacy personnel. Students will also learn about new drug development, drug distribution, and the role of the pharmacy technician in drug procurement. Course material will cover the types of sites which currently employ pharmacy technicians including an analysis of the role of pharmacy technicians in these various job settings. Current trends which may effect the future direction for pharmacy technicians will also be discussed. Registration limited to students enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician program. Permission required.

PHA 115 3.0

Covers mathematics review with an introduction to calculations encountered in pharmacy practice. Registration limited to students enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician program. Permission required.

PHA 120 3.0

In this course students will learn common disorders in which consumers seek advice about self-treatment. This course reviews the use of non-prescription drugs for these selected disorders. Students also learn questions to ask consumers which will help the pharmacist determine whether self-treatment is indicated or additional medical care should be sought.. Registration limited to students enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician program. Permission required.

 PHA 130 2.0

Introduction to sterile products and aseptic techniques in hospital settings. The devices and manipulation techniques necessary to maintain sterility and mechanics of a hospital pharmacy are discussed and practiced in laboratory exercises. Registration limited to students enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician program. Permission required.

 PHA 140 3.0

Continuation of PHA 140. Focus on the preparation of cardiac and other titerable drips, IV antibiotics, chemotherapy, IVPs and TPNs. Intro to hospital application software. Includes lab. Registration limited to students enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician program. Permission required.

PHA 141 3.0

This course will examine communication processes to see how they are influenced by the values, behaviors and beliefs that are defined by culture. It will also explore communication within the pharmacy setting incorporating law.

 PHA 146 2.0

This course will review the principals of drug action including introduction to pharmaco-kinetics and pharmacodynamics. Students will also study the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and discuss drugs used in the treatment of disorders of the nervous system. Registration limited to students enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician program. Permission required.

PHA 150 3.0

This course is a continuation of PHA 150. Students will briefly study the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system, endocrine system, respiratory system. Emphasis will be placed on treatment of diseases of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems. Students will also discuss treatment of bacterial and viral infections. Registration limited to students enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician program. Permission required.

 PHA 151 2.0

This course will review the history of computers in pharmacy, current practice applications, and future trends. Legal and ethical issues surrounding information collection and retrieval will also be addressed. The laboratory component of this course is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to process prescriptions using pharmacy software. Students will gain proficiency in the use of ambulatory care prescription processing software. Registration limited to students enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician program. Permission required.

 PHA 160 3.0

This course is designed to introduce students to the TOP 200 drugs. Skills gained in PHA 160 will be integrated into this course. Students will use pharmacy software to process real prescriptions in the pharmacy lab. Computerized insurance billing and report generation will be explored. Students will be introduced to hospital and nursing home application software. Registration is limited to students enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician program. Permission required.

 PHA 161 3.0

This course is designed to provide skills required to practice effectively in an ambulatory care practice setting. Students learn to interpret prescription contents, top 100 drugs, inventory control procedures, tasks associated with procurement of pharmaceuticals, to complete and file records for third party reimbursement and requirements for completing and filing prescription records. Registration limited to students enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician program. Permission required.

 PHA 170 5.0

Introduction to healthcare systems, pharmacy billing, and the contractual relationships between pharmacies, manufacturers, and wholesalers. Course covers basics of US healthcare, insurance overview, and current billing practices. Course will include workshops for practical skill development, such as billing insurance, problem-solving adjudication issues, prior authorization submissions and allocating resources for affordable patient medication costs.

PHA 180 2.0

Pharmacy Law and Ethics covers the federal and state laws governing pharmacy practice and the commonly encountered ethical dilemmas in the field of pharmacy. Introduces ethical decision making models and practical problem solving solutions that are utilized in the pharmacy.

PHA 185 3.0

The pharmacy technician practicum is designed to enable students to obtain hands on experience in a pharmacy setting. Students are introduced to all aspects of the pharmacy technicians job at the site in which they have been placed. Students will be placed in at least two different settings (an inpatient setting and an ambulatory care setting). Inpatient settings include: nursing home, inpatient hospital, and home infusion. Ambulatory care settings include: chain pharmacy, independent pharmacy, and outpatient hospital/clinic pharmacy. Registration is limited to students enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician program. Permission required.

 PHA 190 13.0

This course will cover job hunting skills, resume, and cover letter writing techniques and the interview process. In addition, it will provide the necessary information for the students to complete the national exam.

 PHA 191 1.0

Program planning guide

This program starts every Fall quarter (Intensive Full Time completed in 3 quarters) and every Winter quarter (Regular Full Time completed in 4 quarters).