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

All program lengths are estimates and are not guarantees. For the most current program information, check with an adviser by calling (425) 235-5840.
These amounts are based on median entry level wages, they are estimates and are not guarantees. For more information, visit careerinfo.net
Tuition
At Renton Technical College, tuition is affordable and competitive.
Financial Aid
Federal aid is available for most students to help pay for school. Fill out your FAFSA now to get started.
Scholarships
The RTC Foundation offers scholarships to help pay the costs of attending school.
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.
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
Learning Outcomes for Pharmacy Technician Program:
- The program will prepare students for practice as entry-level Pharmacy Technician professionally in appearance and behaviors in a variety of diverse contemporary settings (i.e., community, hospital, home care, long term care) and populations;
- Students will acquire knowledge, skills, abilities and ethical conduct to work under the supervision of Pharmacists in the day-to-day operations of the pharmacy, using interpersonal skills, including negotiation skills, conflict resolution and teamwork;
- Students will demonstrate a respectful attitude, critical thinking skills, creativity and innovation to solve problems and to communicate clearly when speaking and in writing;
- Display ability to use interpersonal skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution, in communicating clearly with diverse populations.
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