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.
Note: Students must meet the background check and immunizations requirements prior to enrolling. Many clinical partners require that students provide proof of COVID vaccination. Clinical placements may be unavailable for students who are not fully immunized.
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.
Entry Requirements
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Pharmacy Technician Program, a prospective student must meet the following requirements:
- Minimum age: 18 years by the beginning of the first quarter
- (High School student or) High School Diploma/GED (or equivalent) at time of enrollment
- English Fluency (verbal and written)
Upon invitation and acceptance to the Pharmacy Technician Program, students must provide confirmation of an account established with CastleBranch.com and pass a nationwide criminal background check (Crimes Against Persons list).
- Castlebranch website
- Package code: RR72
- Cost: $99 (do not create an account prior to invitation and registration to the program)
Screening and Tracking Requirements
After invitation to the program, students must 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 must be dated and signed by their healthcare provider.
Immunization Timeline Table
*Vaccinations must be current while on externships
- Annual Tuberculosis skin test. TB tests must show as current through the entire clinical experience at the time of onboarding. Renewal may be required before one year.
- Annual seasonal Influenza vaccine
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine within last 10 years
- Hepatitis B vaccine (series of three vaccines and immunity titer)
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (two vaccines or proof of immunity titer)
- Varicella vaccine (two vaccines or proof of immunity titer)
- Annual background-check through CastleBranch.com
- Personal health insurance upon entry and for the duration of the program
- Although the COVID vaccination is not currently a program admission requirement, our clinical partners may require a student to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID. Clinical placements may be unavailable for students who are not fully immunized.
- Current (within one year) physical 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
UPDATE: All healthcare students who have clinical rotations, externships and internships must follow the vaccination requirements of the healthcare institution where they will be working-i.e., must be fully vaccinated or have an exemption prior to their clinical rotation, externship or internship experience. Read the latest COVID-19 Allied Health Policy.
Course Information
Requirements for Certificate of Completion:
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
| COL 101 | College Success | 2 |
| PHAR 101 | Pharmacy Technician Fundamentals and Ethics | 4 |
| PHAR 103 | Top 200 Drugs I | 3 |
| PHAR 104 | Pharmacology II | 5 |
| PHAR 105 | Outpatient Pharmacy Preparations and Record Keeping I | 5 |
| 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 | 8 |
| 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 134 | Business Office Machines | 6 |
| PHAR 136 | Medical Terminology/Anatomy and Physiology for Pharmacy Technicians II | 3 |
| PHAR 137 | Pharmacy Law and References II | 2 |
| PHAR 180 | Leadership, Human Relations and Customer Service | 5 |
| PHAR 189 | Pharmacy Pre-Externship | 1 |
| PHAR 190 | Pharmacy Practice-Internship I | 8 |
| PHAR 191 | Pharmacy Practice-Internship II | 9 |
| Total | 80 |
Requirements for AAS Degree:
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
| Certificate of Completion | 80 | |
| CMST& 101 | Introduction to Communication | 5 |
| COMP 100 | Applied Composition or | |
| ENGL& 101 | English Composition | 5 |
| PSYC& 100 | General Psychology | 5 |
| Total | 95 |
Requirements for AAS-T Degree:
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
| Certificate of Completion | 80 | |
| CMST& 101 | Introduction to Communication | 5 |
| ENGL& 101 | English Composition | 5 |
| MATH& 146 | Introduction to Statistics | 5 |
| PSYC& 100 | General Psychology | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
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.
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