Pharmacy Technician
CREDIT HOURS
20 Credit Hours
ESTIMATED COST*
$2,205
CERTIFICATE ACHIEVED
CP
Tuition is subject to change without notice. Additional fees may be required.
FULL DESCRIPTION
HOW TO APPLY
Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and provide information to other health professionals. Pharmacy technicians are needed anywhere medications are used.
The pharmacy technician program at Salt Lake Technical College (SLTech) provides the necessary training and externship experiences to prepare students to become licensed as a technician with the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL).
Upcoming cohorts listed below! The program is 600 total hours, including a 200-hour externship at licensed pharmacies. Students can expect to meet in-person for 6 hours per week from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. Students are also expected to dedicate 5-9 hours per week in self-study, preparing for class, and doing homework. Our graduates are highly recruited for positions in a wide range of settings to fill the urgent pharmacy technician workforce needs in our community.
Upcoming cohorts include:
- Next classes begin Fall Semester, August 20, 2024. Classes will be Mondays and Wednesdays.
- Apply to SLCC
Complete an online Application for Admission. - Complete Orientation
You can complete an orientation in person or online. - Take the CASAS assessment
Determine your academic skill level if you are starting a Salt Lake Technical College program or need to register for an ESL class. - Make an Appointment with an Academic Advisor
Meet with an advisor after completing the assessment. - Pay Tuition
Pay tuition at Cashier Services before registering for courses. - Register for Courses in MySLCC.
OCCUPATIONS
Pharmacy Technician
Entry-Level Wage: $17.39/hour ($36,176)
Median Wage: $21.14/hr ($43,972)
Monthly Openings: 112
Occupational Data, 2024, Salt Lake County, Lightcast Exconomic Modeling
Occupations in this area
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 most job openings in the coming decade."
The Department of Labor Statistics projects a 5 percent growth from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth in annual job openings is primarily due to expansion of pharmacist patient-care reimbursement opportunities, and a shift in 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.
Classes are in person, offered in 8-week consecutive blocks of time. Once the program is started, students are expected to move through consecutive blocks with program completion in a maximum of 9.5 months. Students may complete the externship course more quickly as their schedule and pharmacy location may allow.
Tuition and Fees
- Application is free!
- Tuition: $1,800.00 (20 Credits)
- Student Fees: $160.00
- Books: $139.50
- DOPL Training license application $50.00
- BCI Background check required for DOPL license: $16.00
- Complio compliance registration: $39.00
- CPR training: provided by private instructors, costs vary
- Immunization fees vary based on need and insurance payment coverage.
Total Estimated Cost: $2,204.50
NOTE: Fees may vary based upon specific registration and are subject to change. Immunization fees vary based on need and insurance.
SCHOLARSHIPS
You can find information on scholarships and aid opportunities for technical education students here:
https://www.slcc.edu/scholarships/state-sponsored-grants-scholarships.aspx
For other scholarship Opportunities and Questions about paying for school please contact the Financial Aid Office:
SLCC Financial Aid
801-957-4410
https://www.slcc.edu/financialaid/contact.aspx
Schedule an appointment with an SLTC Financial Aid Advisor:
https://www.slcc.edu/financialaid/news-and-events.aspx
Transfer/Articulation Information
Salt Lake Technical College engages and supports students in educational pathways leading to successful transfer and meaningful employment utilizing skills learned.
Requirements
Applicants must be a high school graduate, have a GED and 18 years old before starting externship. A Pharmacy Technician-In-Training License will be obtained at the start of program classes. DOPL requires all license applicants to have a valid Social Security number. Applicants must be admitted to SLTech, complete a program application, complete the CASAS assessment for Math and Reading assessment and pay application fees. Students will receive instructions to obtain a DOPL Pharmacy Technician Training License and required BCI background check on the first day of class.
- Required CASAS Scores:
- Reading: 9 th Grade Level
- Math: 7 th Grade Level
- Student must have HS Diploma or GED
- Student may begin the program at 17 years old, but must be 18 years old at the time of Externship
- Student must have a Social Security Number
Background Check, Drug Screening and Immunizations Compliance
The Salt Lake Technical College has contracted the services from American DataBank (ADB) through its comprehensive tool for student screening, immunizations and compliance. This tool, named Complio, is configured to screen for each of the items listed on the program requirements. Students need to create an account with Complio and SLCC will be notified when compliance has been met.
Program Contact
For all related questions, please feel free to reach out to the Program Advisor: Michelle Robertson, 801-957-6402, michelle.robertson@slcc.edu.
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 2028.
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. In order to practice as a Pharmacy Technician, students must satisfy 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.
Our program uses Pioneer Rx University for simulation training for prescription processing.