Certificate of Completion | 31 credits 

School of Health Sciences
Jordan Campus HTC, JHS
General Information 801-957-4073
Program Information 801-957-2613
Program Website
Academic and Career Advising

Program Faculty
Program Manager - Kristie Fitzgerald, R. Ph.
Adjunct Faculty - Derek Christensen, R.Ph.; Sepideh Daeery, Pharm D; Raghbir Makhar, CPhT; Natalie Dance, CPhT; Jessica Faldmo, CPhT; Whitley Palmer, CPhT; Venkatararmanan Subramani, CPhT
Laboratory Assistant - Melissa Hansen, CPhT

Program Description
Program teaches all skills required for an entry-level pharmacy technician, as defined by the Utah Pharmacy Practice Act Rules. Program prepares student to sit for and pass one of two Pharmacy Board approved certification examinations, the PTCE or ExCPT. Utah Board of Pharmacy has specified in the Pharmacy Practice Act Rules that all pharmacy technicians are required to complete an American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) accredited program by 2020 and must be enrolled in such a program by December 31, 2018. Four USTC programs in Utah and three ATC high school programs are also ASHP accredited. State Pharmacy Board will not accept the on-the-job-training programs after December 2018, requiring ASHP-accredited education going forward.

Career Opportunities
According to the occupation outlook posted by the Utah Department of Workforce Services, “the occupation of pharmacy technician is expected to experience faster than average employment growth with a high volume of annual job openings. Business expansion, as opposed to the need for replacements, will provide the majority of job openings in the coming decade.” On October 17, 2018, www.Indeed.com advertised 173 open pharmacy technician positions in Utah, 121 of these in Salt Lake County.

The Department of Labor Statistics projects a 9% growth in the number of pharmacy technicians needed by 2020. This growth in annual job openings is primarily due to expansion of pharmacist patient-care reimbursement opportunities, shifting the need for increased supportive roles for the pharmacy technician. In addition, as the population ages, the emergence of new medications continues to increase as the demand for chronic disease treatment options grows.

Gainful Employment
Currently the Utah Department of Workforce Services posted the median hourly wage for a Salt Lake County pharmacy technician to be $17.32/hour, annual salary $36,020. Based on student reporting, all graduates interested in immediate employment have been hired within one month of receiving a Utah pharmacy technician license. Many students are offered positions based on licensure, prior to completing coursework.

Local hospitals do not have an adequate pool of applicants applying for pharmacy technician open positions. These large employers are currently offering a $1000.00 sign on bonus for new hires or a $1000.00 referral incentive for current employees who refer a successful new-hire.

Transfer/Articulation Information
Salt Lake Community College engages and supports students in educational pathways leading to successful transfer and meaningful employment utilizing skills learned. The job of a pharmacy technician is a challenging and rewarding career with increasing opportunities for advancement and job diversification.

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx
Books: Approximately $600.00
Supplies: $30.00, uniform
Course Fees: $265.00

Estimated Time to Completion
Time to completion is 3 semesters (31 credit hours) - 13 credits in semester 1, 6 credits in semester 2 or 3, and 12 credits in semester 2 or 3.

Program Entry Requirements
Admission to SLCC, Pharmacy Technician Workforce Training Program application, completion of MATH 0900  or SLCC placement score, proficient in conversational and written English, valid American Heart Association CPR provider certification, DOPL Pharmacy Technician Training License with required BCI background check, attendance at program orientation and signature of orientation documents.

Specialized Program Accreditation
Program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, valid for 6 years. Re-survey date 2021.

Licensure Information
Graduation from the Pharmacy Technician program does not guarantee the ability to obtain a Utah state license to practice as a Pharmacy Technician.  Licensure is the exclusive right and responsibility of each state.  In order to practice as a Pharmacy Technician, students must satisfy individual state requirements, independent of SLCC graduation requirements.  It is highly recommended that students consult in advance with the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL), or similar agencies in other states, to find out more about eligibility for licensure.  DOPL can be reached at 801-530-6628 or at their website.

For students who plan to work as a Pharmacy Technician in another state, here is one suggested website for researching state licensure requirements: License Finder sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. If you have difficulty finding the licensure requirements for your state, please contact your academic advisor or SLCC’s state authorization coordinator for help.

Program Student Learning Outcomes	Related College-Wide Student Learning Outcomes
	1 - Acquire substantive knowledge 2 - Communicate effectively 3 - Develop quantitative literacies 4 - Think critically & creatively 5 - Become a community engaged learner 6 - Work in professional & constructive manner 7 - Develop computer & information literacy 8 - Develop lifelong wellness
Identify pharmacy industry basics, processes, tools and procedures required of technicians in the workplace. Describe state and federal laws regulating pharmacy practice for pharmaceuticals including controlled substances. Explain processes followed to ensure patient safety, dispensing accuracy, calculation accuracy and health-care ethical behaviors.	1, 3
Demonstrate customer service procedures related to professional communication with co-workers, patients, physicians and insurance personnel. Demonstrate knowledge of disease state management, over-the-counter medications, various payer situations and pharmacology of prescribed medications. Use proper terminology in all oral and written communications.	1, 2, 3, 6
Demonstrate computer proficiency for a variety of medication processing systems. Operate basic software utilities needed in the workplace. Use a web browser to navigate websites to find drug-related information, summarize the information and relay it accurately and succinctly to interested parties.	1, 2, 3, 6, 7
Properly identify common brand and generic drug names, their basic function, dosage forms and dispensing parameters from medications in the following categories: cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, immune, pain management, psychological, central nervous system, respiratory, topical, ophthalmic, otic, chemotherapy and alternative supplements.	1, 6, 7, 8
Articulate differences in payer regulations for Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, Tri-Care, Worker’s Compensation, co-pay guidelines and coinsurance. State the proper procedures for filing claims, accepting payments and adjudicating problems with reimbursement for patients and employers.	1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Demonstrate proper procedures and application of regulations for retail and institutional inventory management, including purchasing, temperature-controlled storage, receiving, stocking, wholesaler returns and manufacturer recall proceedings.	1, 3, 6, 7
Calculate, using algebraic principles, fractions and decimal equivalents, solve equations for an unknown variable, convert metric system measurements, dosages based on patient weight or body surface area, convert measurements of weight, volume and temperature between household, metric, avoirdupois and apothecary systems. Use ratio/proportion, percent and decimal formats correctly.	1, 3, 6
Calculate appropriate compounding measurement for concentration, dilution, stock preparation, compounding formulas, allegation and aliquot measurement. Calculate accurate measurement for injectable and intravenous medications involving ratio strength, milliequivalents, units, solutions, powders, flow and drip rates, intravenous piggybacks and pediatric parenterals.	1, 3, 6, 7
Differentiate sterile and nonsterile compounding, define terminology, uses, requirements, and regulations and describe appropriate documentation of activities. Define Good Compounding Practices (GCP) and list 14 standards required by the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) for sterile (Chapter 797) and nonsterile (Chapter 795) compounding.	1, 2, 3, 6
Demonstrate roles and responsibilities, occupational conditions and expectations of pharmacy technicians in community pharmacies, hospitals, home infusion centers, nursing homes, insurance companies, compounding operations, specialty products centers, pharmaceutical manufacturing and academic environments.	1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Identify functional elements of various practice settings. Demonstrate appropriate steps to prepare oral syringes, check and fill medication carts, stock nursing floor stock areas, fill narcotic cabinets and automated dispensing machines, replenish crash cart supplies, handle hazardous materials, chemotherapy agents and radio pharmaceuticals.	1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
Complete application for eligibility for national certification examination and DOPL application for pharmacy technician license. Describe the process for completion, documentation and submission of documents for required continuing education credits every 2 years.	1, 2, 5, 6, 8