2022-2023 SLCC General Catalog [**** ATTENTION: YOU ARE VIEWING AN ARCHIVED CATALOG ****]
Pharmacy Technician: CC (CTE)
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Certificate of Completion | 32 credits
Program Website
Academic and Career Advising
Program Description
Program teaches all skills required for an advanced-level pharmacy technician, as defined by the Utah Pharmacy Practice Act Rules and ASHP/ACPE accreditation. Program prepares student to sit for and pass one of two Pharmacy Board approved certification examinations, the PTCE or ExCPT. Pharmacy technicians are licensed for practice by the Utah Department of Professional Licensing (DOPL). Ten other accredited programs exist in Utah; nine are USTC programs, one is exclusively online. Applicants are required to complete in-pharmacy training under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
Program completion awards embedded general education in Quantitative Studies (QS), Communication (CM) and Human Relations (HR) and is eligible for federal financial aid.
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. In response to the Coronovirus-19 and the expected demand for a vaccine administration, Utah is one of 3 states to certify pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines. This has increased the need for qualified technicians.
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: $335.00
NOTE: Fees may vary based upon specific registration and are subject to change.
Program Entry Requirements
The Pharmacy Technician Training Program is a selective admission program. Admission requirements are admission to SLCC, completion of a program application, completion of MATH 0920 or self-directed placement recommendation into MATH 0990 and completion of ENGL 0900 or self-directed placement into ENGL 0990 . Program course prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or better. Students will receive instructions to obtain a DOPL Pharmacy Technician Training License and required BCI background check prior to start of classes.
Specialized Program Accreditation
Program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the American Council of Pharmaceutical Education (ASHP/ACPE), valid for 6 years. Re-survey date 2022.
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.
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GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Certificates of Completion contain instructional components in communication, computation, and human relations.
Program General Education Notes
General education components are embedded within the program through PHAR 1010, PHAR 1045, PHAR 1050, and PHAR 2070.
Required Courses (32 credits)
Time to Completion & Graduation Map
- Pharmacy Technician CC: Full-time
- Pharmacy Technician CC (Fast Track): Full-time
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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.
Students may select on application a fast-track completion schedule if entering the program fall semester. For this option, students may enroll in 2 required classes (HS 1100 and PHAR 1010) prior to program acceptance. Students then complete13 credits in fall semester and 12 credits in spring semester. This option is only available for students accepted in the pharmacy program fall semester.
Program Learning Outcomes
Program learning outcome alignment with Student Learning Outcomes in brackets.
- 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. [1,2,3,7]
- 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. [1,2,3,7,8,9]
- 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. [1,7,8,9]
- 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. [1,2,4,6,7]
- 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. [1,3,7,8]
- 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. [1,3,7]
- 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. [1,3,7,8]
- 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. [1,2,3,7]
- 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. [1,2,3,6,7,8]
- 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. [1,2,3,6,7,8,9]
- 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. [1,2,6,7]
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