Pharmacy Technician
*This program has moved to the school of health sciences
Program Overview
The Pharmacy Technician program at Salt Lake Community College provides the necessary training and externship to prepare students to take the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam and to apply for state licensure with the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
Coursework includes practical and technical training in medical terminology, pharmacology, calculations, claims adjudication, pharmacy computer skills, sterile and non-sterile compounding, law, and fieldwork preparation. Students complete a total of 31 credit hours in a full-time daytime or evening program.
ASHP/ACPE accredited, PTCB-recognized Sterile compounding Education/Training program.
PREREQUISITES
Enrollment in PHAR 1015, 1020, 1030, 1040, 1045, 1050, 1055, 1060, 1065, 2070,and 2980 require admission to the pharmacy technician program Students will be notified of specific courses to enroll by the program manager each semester.admissions
Programs in the Health Sciences use a selective admissions process, separate from the general college admissions process. New students are accepted each Spring and Fall, students may apply for the program during the following admissions sessions.
- Spring 2021: September 15 - December 1, 2020
- Fall 2021: January 1, – May 31, 2021
Applications will be available beginning September 15, 2020, new information and website will be available soon.
For more information regarding The Heath Sciences, click here.
apply Now!
Application Fee
Students can pay by phone with a cashier member. State you are paying their Pharmacy Technician Application Fee and provide your name and student number. Students paying in-person please bring in the attached payment slip with your name, student number and date filled out.
application fee Form
This course covers pharmacy state and federal regulatory agencies and accountability for technicians. There will be a strong emphasis on pharmacy math, dosage calculations and conversions.
Description of Course: This course teaches pharmacy technician students the principles, skills, and practices that are the foundation for clear communication and the essential development of trust with future patients, healthcare professionals and co-workers. Students learn theory and basic principles of communication, develop practical skills using those tools and practice application of those skills in everyday encounters. Role-play situations allow students to effectively communicate and fine- tune their communication skills in dealing with a variety of sensitive situations that arise in pharmacy practice.
This course reviews packaging, preservation and storage of compounded drugs. Coated tablets, solutions and suspensions are examined. Sterile procedures with vials and IV bottles and bags are explained. * There is a $75 course fee in addition to tuition.
The Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers Course is designed to provide healthcare professionals the ability to recognize several life-threatening emergencies, provide CPR, use an AED, and relieve choking in a safe, timely and effective manner. This American Heart Association course will teach pharmacy technicians the skills to perform CPR, as well as other lifesaving skills, in a wide variety of in-hospital and out-of-hospital settings. The course requires students to review the approved text manual prior to the class and complete approximately 4 hours of in class training including skills practice and skills testing.
This course analyzes distribution procedures to patients in the hospital and patient medication profiles. The course reviews community pharmacies and specific technician duties, including practical on-site experiences in both hospital and community settings. *There is a $55 course fee in addition to tuition.
This course discusses the nature of drugs, drug absorption and patient variables that affect drug therapy. Drug classification and nomenclature are also discussed. *There is a $35 course fee in addition to tuition.
This course analyzes the fundamentals of pharmacies and health care institutions in the US today. Pharmaceutical and medical terms, career opportunities, safety considerations, dosage forms and quality control are explored. Federal and state pharmacy laws and regulations are reviewed.
StuOur students learn prescription processing through cooperation with proprietary pharmacy software developed by PioneerRx and McKesson Enterprise. These systems enhance our curriculum with hands-on applications used in today’s most progressive pharmacies by simulating all pharmacy functions and workflow processes. This hands-on experience training produces students highly sought after in the competitive inter-mountain job market. In addition to prescription processing students will learn a practical, focused overview of medical insurance and billing of prescriptions in the community pharmacy setting.
* There is a $50.00 course fee in addition to tuition.
A Pharmacy Technician is a person who, under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, assists in various activities of a pharmacy.
Typical duties include:
- Maintaining patient records
- Mixing drugs with parental fluids
- Maintaining inventories of supplies
- Responding to questions and requests
- Packaging and labeling medication doses
- Filing and distributing routine orders for stock supplies
For a more comprehensive description, visit O*NET OnLine.
The salary range typically starts at approximately $14.50 to $18/hour along the Wasatch Front. Visit these links for more detailed information:
Graduation from the SLCC Pharmacy Technician Training program does not guarantee the ability to obtain a license to practice as a pharmacy technician in Utah. Licensure is the exclusive right and responsibility of each state. In order to practice this profession in Utah, students must satisfy the state requirements of completion of an ASHP accredited training program and pass one of two National Certification examinations (PTCE or ExCPT), independent of SLCC graduation requirements.
Specific questions regarding eligibility for licensure should be addressed to DOPL at 801-530-6628. If students plan to practice as a pharmacy technician in another state. Verify specific state requirements.
The job demand at this time is quite good. There is a need for technicians wherever pharmacists work. Visit these links for official projections:
The tuition cost per credit hour will change based on a student's residency status, and on the total number of hours taken in a semester.
The amounts below reflect Utah State resident rates for Summer 2017-2018, and include program fees. * Tuition and fees subject to change without notice.
Check for the current tuition rates.
| Semester | Credits | Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 12 |
$2006.50 this does include the cost of MA 1100 |
| 2nd | 6 | $1008.00 |
| 3rd | 12 | $2101.50 |
| Total | $5116.00 |
If your current SLCC transcript does not show a math class taken and passed with a C or better within the last 2 years, go to the testing center. Take the "Math Placement Decision Tree” and obtain a placement score. Applicants must score at least 3 to successfully complete the pharmacy math class. Applicants scoring less than 3 will need to successfully complete Math 0950.
ESL applicants wanting evaluate their English reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary skills can also take the Accuplacer ESL/LOEP exam. (not required)
Yes. Additional expenses include, but are not limited to:
- Enrollment fees
- Books
- Background checks
- National testing
- DOPL trainee application fee
- DOPL licensure application fee
Daytime cohorts meet 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., usually one day a week, starting Spring semesters.
Evening cohorts meet 5:00 - 9:30 p.m.. 3-4 evenings per week, starting Fall semesters.
See Schedule below for credit/class breadown.
Utah state law requires 180 hours of on-the-job training in a pharmacy. The program places students in an externship position with a local pharmacy to start and complete during the third semester.
Students are responsible for scheduling externship hours directly with the pharmacy assigned.
The requirements for obtaining a certificate may change without notice, but currently include:
- Receive a grade of C or better in each class
- Submit to and pass random drug screening
- Comply with any DOPL requirements in a timely manner
- Complete an exit survey
- Make final payments to the school
- Complete all requested paperwork
Not through this program. The rules regarding licensure are set by DOPL. SLCC can only offer the program as prescribed. No exceptions.
All questions about special circumstances should be directed to DOPL.
No. Securing employment is the responsibility of the student. However, the school has great services to help with job placement, including:
- Maintaining jobs lists
- Resume reviews
- Mock interviews
Visit the Office of Career Services for more information or call (801) 957-4606.
MA 1100 - Medical Terminology (3 credit hours)
PHAR 1010 - Intro to Pharmacy Practice (3 credit hours)
PHAR 1015 - Pharmacy Skills Lab (2 credit hours)
PHAR 1020 - Pharmacology I (3 credit hours)
PHAR 1040 - Calculations and Law in Pharmacy Practice (2 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours (13)
PHAR 1030 - Sterile and Non Sterile Compounding (3 credit hours)
PHAR 1045 - Communication for Pharmacy Technicians (3 credit hours)
PHAR 1050 - Pharmacy Computers (2 credit hours)
PHAR 1055 - Pharmacy Computers Application (1 credit hour)
PHAR 1060 - Pharmacology II (3 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours (12)
PHAR 1065 - Pharmacology III OTC (2 credit hours)
PHAR 2070 - Capstone Externship (2 credit hours)
PHAR 2980 - Test Preparation (2 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours (6)
* Schedule subject to change without notice
The requirements to begin the Pharmacy Tech program are minimal and not all of them need to be completed before submitting an application.
Admissions: complete prior to applying.
If you have not applied to SLCC within the past 3 years, the first steps are to enroll as a student. Students who have been absent from the school for more than one year (three consecutive terms) please complete the 1-3 Years Absent Admission Update.
Application: complete when applying.
Submitting the application will reserve a place in the next available cohort, but before it can be accepted all requirements must be met. To retain the reservation the remaining items should be done in a timely manner. Applications expire after one year. We ask that you reapply if you have not been admitted to the program within the year.
BLS CPR 2 year Certification: ** training will be arranged.
- Applicants who have been accepted into the program will be required to complete the American Heart Association's Basic Life Support for healthcare providers CPR training. A time will be arranged for new students to take this CPR class before the start of their first semester.
- Students will be responsible to pay the additional cost of this training.
- Existing certifications will only be accepted as long as they do not expire for the duration of the Pharmacy Technician Training program (1 year).
Transcripts (Optional): optional
Math and Medical Terminology credit can be accepted from other colleges and universities. An official transcript must be sent to our office. Final determination will be made by the program manager.
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 Program Manager or SLCC’s state authorization coordinator for help.
Employers and Preceptors
Employers
Salt Lake Community College has a resource for posting employment opportunities for our graduates. Upon completion of our Pharmacy Tech program, our students are registered with the Office of Career Services. After graduation each student will be sent related job postings for up to one year. To have your Pharmacy Technician employment opportunitiy sent to our graduates contact Jennifer Benally, Career & Student Employment Advisor can be reached at 801-957-3401.