PREREQUISITES

• Applicants must be at least 17 years of age to begin program and must be 18 to begin externship experiences.
• Applicants must possess a GED, a high school diploma, or be currently enrolled in their final year of high school.
• Applicants must have a valid Social Security Number for DOPL Licensing.
• Applicants must demonstrate academic readiness by taking the CASAS Entrance Exam with a Reading score of at least 249 and a Math score of at least 241. A completed Associates Degree or higher may also satisfy this requirement.

Requirements

To ensure students can safely and successfully participate in classroom, laboratory, and experiential learning environments, applicants must meet the following admission requirements, academic readiness standards, health requirements, and technical standards.

Admission Requirements

Educational Requirement

Applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent, or be currently enrolled in their final year of high school.

Age Requirement

Applicants must be at least 17 years of age to begin program and must be 18 to begin externship experiences.

Identification Requirement

Applicant must be a current student with a SLTC student ID number.

Applicant must have a Social Security Number for DOPL Licensing.

Academic Readiness Requirements (Placement Testing)

Applicants must demonstrate academic readiness by taking the CASAS Entrance Exam with a Reading score of at least 249 and a Math score of at least 241. A completed Associates Degree or higher may also satisfy this requirement.

Placement scores ensure students possess the foundational academic skills necessary to successfully complete pharmacy technician coursework, including:

• Medication calculations
• Interpretation of prescriptions and medication orders
• Reading medication labels, drug information references, and healthcare documentation

Students who do not initially meet placement benchmarks may be required to complete remediation or developmental coursework prior to program admission.

Health and Immunization Requirements

Students participating in laboratory and experiential training environments must meet health screening and immunization requirements required by healthcare facilities and program partners.

Documentation of the following must be completed prior to externship placement.

• Tuberculosis Screening
• Current TB screening (PPD skin test, Quantiferon blood test, or equivalent) according to current healthcare guidelines.
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap)
• Documentation of Tdap vaccination within the last 10 years.
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
• Documentation of two MMR vaccinations or positive immunity titers.
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Documentation of two varicella vaccinations or positive immunity titers.
• Hepatitis B Vaccination Series
• Completion of a Hepatitis B vaccination series or documented immunity through antibody titer.

Additional health or safety requirements include:

• Must pass state and federal background checks
• Drug screening
• CPR/BLS certification
• Seasonal influenza vaccination (if required by the externship site)

Students are responsible for maintaining compliance with all health and safety requirements required by program partners and experiential training sites.

Technical Requirements / Essential Functions

Students enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician Program must demonstrate the following abilities with or without reasonable accommodation. These standards ensure patient safety, regulatory compliance, and successful completion of program competencies.

Motor Skills / Manual Dexterity

• Accurately counting, measuring, and preparing medications
• Manipulating small equipment such as syringes, needles, vials, medication packaging, and compounding tools

Communication Skills

• Read and interpret written instructions, medication labels, policies, and patient information
• Speak and understand English sufficiently to communicate with patients and healthcare professionals
• Communicate professionally with patients, pharmacists, technicians, and instructors

Cognitive and Critical Thinking Skills

• Apply pharmacy calculations and medication preparation procedures
• Interpret prescriptions and medication orders
• Recognize potential medication errors or safety concerns

Behavioral and Professional Skills

• Demonstrating ethical conduct and professional integrity
• Working effectively as part of a healthcare team
• Responding appropriately to stressful or emotionally challenging situations

Sensory and Observation Skills

• Visually identify medication labels, dosage forms, and pharmacy equipment
• Distinguish colors, markings, and labeling differences between medications
• Hear instructions, alarms, and communication within the pharmacy environment

Reasonable Accommodations

The program is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified students with documented disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and institutional policies. Students requesting accommodations should contact the institution’s Disability Resource Center to determine appropriate support.