Pharmacy Technician
View a short video on the role of a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians assist and support licensed pharmacists in providing health care and medications to patients. They must have a broad knowledge of pharmacy practice, and be skilled in the techniques required to order, stock, package, and prepare medications, but they do not need the advanced college education required of a licensed pharmacist. Employers favor those who complete formal training and certification. Pharmacy technicians work in hospitals, retail, home health care, nursing homes, and clinics and in mail order. This 93-hour program is spent in a classroom environment with simulated lab experience. The course includes a mock certification examination to prepare for the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.
After successful completion of the program, the student is awarded a certificate from Delta College. Students may also take the National Certification Exam for Certified Pharmacy Technicians. Those who pass the exam earn the title of Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). Information on this exam will be supplied in class. Cost: $849
What is a pharmacy technician?
Pharmacy technicians assist and support licensed pharmacists in providing health care and medications to patients. They must have a broad knowledge of pharmacy practice, and be skilled in the techniques required to order, stock, package, and prepare medications, but they do not need the advanced college education required of a licensed pharmacist.
Pharmacy technicians may perform many of the same duties as pharmacists, however, all of a technician’s work must be checked by a pharmacist before medication can be dispensed to a patient. All the duties of pharmacy technicians have a need for absolute accuracy and precision in both the technical and clerical aspects of the job.
Where do pharmacy technicians work?
Pharmacy technicians work in hospitals, retails, home health cares, nursing homes, clinics and in mail order. In a retail pharmacy, technicians may stock and inventory prescription and over the counter medications, maintain written or computerized patient medication records, count or pour medications into dispensing containers, type prescription labels, prepare insurance claim forms, and manage the cash register. In hospitals, pharmacy technicians may perform many of the same duties as they do in retail pharmacy, but they may have additional responsibilities including assembling a 24- hour supply of medication for each patient, repackaging medications, preparing commercially unavailable medications, preparing sterile intravenous medications, maintaining nursing station medications, collecting quality improvement data and delivering medications to patient rooms.
Textbooks
Textbooks are required for this course. Check with the Delta Bookstore.
What will I learn in this course?
This 93-hour program is spent in a classroom environment with simulated laboratory and clinical experience. The course includes a mock certification examination. Students are evaluated through:
- Written exams
- Class participation
- Punctuality
- Attendance.
Students must maintain a 75 percent average in each aspect of the program, including ethical and safety aspects as well as demonstrations, in order to receive a certificate. Also, students must have 100 percent attendance in order to receive a certificate. There are no excused absences from this course.
What kind of certification will I receive?
After successful completion of the program, the student is awarded a certificate from Delta College. Students may also take the national certification exam for Certified Pharmacy Technician. Information on this exam will be supplied in class.
Prerequisites
Students must go through Admission to Delta College and show course readiness with the following prerequisite levels obtained by taking COMPASS or ASSET:
Reading – Level 5 (81 or higher)
Writing – Level 3 (38 or higher)
Math – Level 1 (26 or higher)
Students are exempt from prerequisites if they can provide proof of an associates degree or higher.
Registration: In-Person make payment & register: Registrar’s Office, B-100
Course Number: CHG-3001-WN300
Cost: $849
Date: 1/5/10-4/27/10
Time: Tuesday & Thursday 6:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Main Campus