Instructor:              

Kathy Richins, CPhT

Program Description:

This program prepares senior students to work in a pharmacy under the direction of a pharmacist.  Students are trained to provide counter assistance, to keep patient and related health record information, and to bill insurance companies.  Students learn how to fill prescriptions.  This includes creating the label for the bottle, filling the prescription, making capsules using nonsterile compounding procedures, and making IV’s using aseptic techniques.  Students also learn how to perform a wide range of other practice-related duties for both retail and hospital-based pharmacies.  At the conclusion of the course, students are qualified to take the national pharmacy technician exam through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

Program Objectives:

Students will learn the skills necessary to participate in clinical experiences in pharmacies, receive job placement assistance, and prepare to obtain a national certificate and state license upon completion of course. This course will prepare students for youth leadership opportunities.

Program Expectations:

Students must have good social skills, attendance, and citizenship. Excellent reading and memorization skill are required to be successful because students must learn the names and functions of drugs, dosages, abbreviations, etc.  Students will be required to secure their externship site and to provide their own transportation to their pharmacy.  350 classroom hours and 180 hours in a pharmacy are required.   All students will be required to pass a random drug test in order to remain in the program.

High School Credit:

Four (4) high school CTE credits

Concurrent Credit: 

Most students earn HTHS 1101 – Medical Terminology (Weber State University Fall Semester – 2 credits).

Educational Opportunities:

The Pharmacy Technician program is a Certificate Program.  Upon completion of the program they receive a certificate indicating that they have met all the requirements to apply for licensure through the Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL).  Students may now take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam.  Once a student has passed the PTCB exam they may work as a Certified Pharmacy Tech.  Pharmacists value a good pharmacy technician.  Becoming a Pharmacy Technician is also helpful to students who want to pursue a career as a Pharmacist.

Possible Careers:

Careers for which the study of pharmacy could be helpful are Pharmacy Technician, Pharmacist, Physician, Anesthesiologist, Nursing, EMT and many other medical professions.

Misconceptions:

Students do not need to be 18 years old to sit for the PTCB exam, but they do need to be 18 to be licensed with the State of Utah as a Pharmacy Technician.  In addition, they need to be a high school graduate or have their GED to register for the PTCB exam and to become licensed with the State of Utah.

Classes Required for Entrance:

Algebra I and Word Processing

Recommended Classes:

Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry, Health Occupations, and Anatomy & Physiology are helpful.

Program Length:

Full year

Eligibility:

Senior Students

Costs/Fees: 

Weber State University concurrent enrollment fee: $30

Pharmacology textbook and workbook: $93

Medical Terminology textbook: $98

HOSA membership: $25 (optional)