Pharmacy Technician

Instructional Program (CIP)

Description

Please email careercatalyst@asu.edu for enrollment steps. 

A. Course Objective:  To prepare students for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and for employment in retail or institutional pharmacy settings.

Description:

This online pharmacy technician certification course will prepare aspiring pharmacy technicians to effectively assist the pharmacist in the packing and distribution of medication. You will receive didactic and hands-on pharmacy technician training to develop the skills necessary for successful employment in the field.

This pharmacy technician training program will empower you to pursue entry-level pharmacy tech positions by teaching you medical and pharmaceutical terminology, basic anatomy related to the pharmacology of medications, and pharmaceutical calculations. Through this pharmacy technician certification course, you will obtain hands-on practice in retail pharmacy procedures through an online lab module.

You will learn what information is necessary to process prescriptions and physician orders and apply that knowledge to fill mock prescriptions. The curriculum in this pharmacy technician certification course also includes the ethics of pharmacy practice and education about prescription medications, patient care and interaction, and charges and reimbursement.

Upon completion of this pharmacy technician training course, you will be prepared to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). This course includes a voucher which covers the fee for the exam. As a part of completing your pharmacy tech course online, you will also have the option to perform a hands-on, 130-hour Clinical Experience. Clinical Experiences are based on individual state board requirements.

You must ensure that this pharmacy technician certification course meets your state's requirements. For more information, visit your state's Board of Pharmacy site or view a map directly from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) website. You can also call the state board and ask for the current technician regulations.

Please note: This pharmacy technician certification course does not meet state requirements for students intending to work in North Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.

Disclaimer: Participation in a Clinical Experience is contingent upon successfully completing a background check and/or drug screening that is consistent with the requirements of both state and federal laws.

To qualify for the clinical experience application process, students must successfully complete the online course and ensure their account balances are current (at a minimum). It is important to note that ed2go cannot guarantee placement at any clinical site, and students must take full responsibility for fulfilling their clinical requirements. However, our affiliated partnerships can increase the likelihood of finding a site that matches student needs. Students can begin researching the steps of the application process two weeks before completing courses.

Students with prior knowledge can optionally test out of medical terminology by achieving a minimum score of 80%, replacing course content if desired. It is important to understand that this course feature only applies to the online Medical Terminology course. Funding Disclaimer: For Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funded students, please consult with your funding source representative before taking advantage of this course's test-out feature. Different funding programs may have specific requirements and/or restrictions. If you attempt the test-out feature(s) in the Medical Terminology course without getting approval, your funding benefits may be jeopardized.

Competencies to be achieved:

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the pharmacy technician role, including essential professional skills and communication expectations necessary for success in a pharmacy setting


• Understand pharmacy regulations and standards from regulatory agencies and professional associations to ensure patient safety, high-quality care, and proper medication handling


• Gain practical knowledge of medication processing and handling procedures, including the ability to identify medication orders and read prescription forms accurately


• Learn about medication storage guidelines and quality assurance procedures in the pharmacy department


• Develop essential skills for success as a pharmacy technician, including accuracy, attention to detail, and effective communication

How you will benefit

• Acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to excel as a pharmacy technician and perform all related tasks and responsibilities with confidence


• Gain hands-on learning through an online lab module that provides practical experience in processing orders and identifying correct medication dosing and sourcing


• Access a comprehensive work experience guide and receive personalized support from our clinical experience team to prepare for your future as a certified pharmacy technician


• Prepare for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)'s Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and earn the highly respected Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential upon successful completion


• Take advantage of a voucher for the certification exam and apply for a 100+ hour work Clinical Experience to gain valuable practical experience and further enhance your professional skills

B. Total Cost of Program (includes all costs to student including testing, licensure): $3,495

C. Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment.

The following digital textbook for the Medical Terminology course is accessed via links in the course lessons:

• 
  Comprehensive Medical Terminology for Health Professions, 1st Edition (eBook)

The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment in Pharmacy Technician and digital versions are also available via links in the course:

• Pharmaceutical Calculations for Pharmacy Technicians A Worktext


• Law and Ethics for Pharmacy Technicians


• Fundamental Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians


• Workbook for Fundamental Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians


• The Pharmacy Technician: A Comprehensive Approach

Lab Kit

• Pharmacy Lab Kit (only available for residents of U.S./Canada; additional information available in the FAQs section)


• Pharmacy Technician Lab Manual (eBook only, available via links in the course)
  

Please note: Your Pharmacy Lab Kit will be sent separately from the rest of your materials and will be received within three months of enrollment, however, delivery times may be delayed further due to supply chain shortages. We are unable to deliver the Pharmacy Lab Kit to P.O. Boxes; you may be asked to provide an alternate shipping address for your delivery.

D. Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 10 or later.


• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.


• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.


• Microsoft Word Online


• Adobe Acrobat Reader


• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

E. WIOA Contact for Enrollment Status /Credential Verification:

Michael Velon

careercatalyst@asu.edu

602-543-0201

F. Direct Website link to the program: https://careertraining.careercatalyst.asu.edu/search?query=pharmacy%20technician

G. Prerequisites:

To register for this course, you must be 18 years of age or older. You should be proficient in keyboarding (approximately 35 words per minute), have a basic understanding of a word-processing computer program (Microsoft Word is recommended), have a command of English grammar and punctuation, and have a basic understanding of high school math.

To participate in the competency activities and receive feedback from your instructor, you will need to have access to a video camera (on the phone or other device of familiarity) and be able to upload the video as an .mp4 file to the assignment pages for review. These activities are required in order to pass the course successfully.

Certification Requirements:

• Reside in the United States of America or its territories (US)


• Completion of a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program or equivalent Practicum Experience


• Full disclosure of all criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions


• Compliance with all applicable PTCB Certification policies


• Passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam® (PTCE®)

State Requirements:

You must ensure that the Pharmacy Technician Course meets your state's requirements. For more information, visit your state's Board of Pharmacy site or view a map directly from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) website. You can also call the state board and ask for the current technician regulations. This course does not meet state requirements for students intending to work in North Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. Please note that PTCB credentials are designed for use exclusively in the US. Therefore, PTCB exams are generally only administered in the US. Active members of the US military and their spouses are an exception and are eligible to test anywhere in the world.

Clinical Experience Requirements:

As a student in our Pharmacy Technician course, you'll have the opportunity to participate in our exclusive Clinical Experience, which provides a valuable advantage in today's competitive job market. Through our nationwide agreement with several pharmacies, you can gain hands-on experience and assist pharmacists with prescriptions, patient inquiries, and administrative tasks.

To qualify for the Clinical Experience, you will need to meet certain requirements, including passing a drug screening test, obtaining professional liability insurance, completing a background check and employment verification, meeting current immunization standards, and conforming with state mandates such as registration, fingerprinting, licensing, etc. Additional forms may be necessary for participation in the Clinical Experience with certain pharmacies. Please note that while we strive to find available openings, a Clinical Experience placement is not guaranteed for the Pharmacy Technician course and may take up to 12 weeks to secure. As a candidate, you should start applying for the PTBC Trainee License 2 weeks before you take the final exam in the course.

H. Credentials: 
Industry Recognized:  Yes - Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)

Stackable: Yes - Pharmacy Tech → Lead Tech 

Portable:  Yes – Accepted nationwide

Accredited Curriculum: Yes - https://www.ptcb.org/ 

I. Credential Attainment Rate:  This is a new program. We will provide data once the program has been operating.

Details

Cost Items

Demand Occupation(s)