Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians work in pharmacies, preparing medications and assisting pharmacists with other duties. The Pharmacy Technician program offers valuable skills such as how to compound products, mix intravenous solutions, apply math for pharmaceutical calculations, and how to use computers to process orders and keep records. It emphasizes detailed knowledge of products and drugs. The program includes externships in retail and hospital pharmacies. Students must earn a Washington State Board of Pharmacy license to work in this field by passing a national certification exam. Support for this program is available through a grant to TAA-eligible workers, veterans and their eligible spouses.

Enrollment Point: Fall

Certificate of Completion:

4 quarters

77 credits

Associate of Applied Science:

6 Quarters

97 Credits

AAS - Transfer:

6 quarters

97 credits

Bachelor of Applied Science:

N/A

All program lengths are estimates and are not guarantees. For the most current program information, check with an adviser by calling (425) 235-5840.

Median Salary:

$29,800

Projected Growth:

20%

Annual Job Openings:

10,590

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These amounts are based on median entry level wages, they are estimates and are not guarantees. For more information, visit careerinfo.net

All costs are estimates and are not guarantees. For the most current program information, check with an adviser by calling (425) 235-5840.

Monday - Friday

8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Hours may vary based on specific program requirements. For the most current program information, check with an adviser by calling (425) 235-5840.

Lynn-Dee Spencer, CPhT

Entry Requirements

Minimum age: 18 years
Must take the Accuplacer test before entering program or being placed on the pre-registration list.
Student must be attending high school, possess a high school equivalency certificate, or be a high school graduate.
Communication involving patient care in the clinical setting is critical to patient safety. All students shall be fluent in the English language, including verbal and written language.
Students must register with Castle Branch and complete the following:
- Complete and pass a Nationwide criminal background check (Crimes against persons list) within 3 months prior to admission into the program at http://portal.castlebranch.com/rr63 (use package code Rr72).
- Meet vaccination and program specific health requirements in compliance with the Center for Disease Control Healthcare Provider immunization guidelines, including the submission of original lab results, x-ray reports and immunization records which are dated and signed by their healthcare provider. Immunization timeline table.
Health insurance, both injury and sickness, is required for participation in the program.
Current (within one year) evaluation by a physician or nurse practitioner to ensure student and patient safety. The evaluation should address the following areas in respect to the student's ability to perform the laboratory skills and clinical responsibilities related to becoming a Pharmacy Technician:
- Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds and to reach overhead.
- Ability to stand or walk for long periods.

Course Information

Course #	Course Title	Crs
PHAR 101	Pharmacy Technician Fundamentals & Ethics	2
PHAR 103	Top 200 Drugs I	3
PHAR 104	Pharmacology II	5
PHAR 105	Outpatient Pharmacy Preparations and Record Keeping I	2
PHAR 106	Outpatient Pharmacy Preparations and Record Keeping II	4
PHAR 107	IV Admixture Advanced Techniques	3
PHAR 108	Inpatient and Home Healthcare Pharmacy Preparations and Record Keeping	4
PHAR 109	Top 200 Drugs II	3
PHAR 110	Pharmacology I	5
PHAR 130	Medical Terminology/Anatomy and Physiology for Pharmacy Technicians I	3
PHAR 131	Pharmacy Law and References I	1
PHAR 133	Business Office Machines I	3
PHAR 134	Business Office Machines II	3
PHAR 135	Business Office Machines III	3
PHAR 136	Medical Terminology/Anatomy and Physiology for Technicians II	3
PHAR 137	Pharmacy Law and References II	2
PHAR 180	Communications and Customer Service	2
PHAR 181	Management, Supervision and Human Relations	3
PHAR 190	Pharmacy Practice - Internship I	8
PHAR 191	Pharmacy Practice - Internship II	9
AMATH 165G	Pharmacy Calculations	6
	Total	77

General Education Course Requirements for AAS Degree

Course #	Course Title	Crs
AMATH 170	Mathematics for the Health Sciences	5
CMST& 101	Intro to Communications	5
COMP 100	Applied Composition or
ENGL& 101	English Composition	5
PSYC& 100	General Psychology	5
	Total	20

General Education Course Requirements for AAS-T Degree

Course #	Course Title	Crs
CMST& 101	Intro to Communications	5
ENGL& 101	English Composition	5
MATH& 146	Intro to Statistics	5
PSYC& 100	General Psychology	5
	Total	20

Program Outcomes

Work under the supervision of a Pharmacist in the pharmacy day-to-day operations, using interpersonal skills, critical thinking, negotiation, conflict resolution, teamwork, creativity, innovation, and customer service skills to problem solve with diverse populations.
Demonstrate ethical conduct, active and engaged listening skills.
Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Demonstrate a respectful and professional attitude when interacting with diverse patient populations, colleagues, and professionals.
Apply self-management skills, including time, stress, and change management.
Compound products, mix intravenous solutions, apply math for pharmaceutical calculations and use computers to process prescriptions, medication orders, quality assurance and inventory management.
Exhibit detailed knowledge of pharmacy products and the Top 200 drugs.
Earn a Washington State Board of Pharmacy license by passing the PTCB national certification exam.