Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship

This award is not eligible for Financial Aid

The Certificate of Competency (CCT) in Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship program meets Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and Arizona State Board of Pharmacy requirements for national Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification by taking either the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or ExCPT exam through National Healthcareer Association (NHA). This course is designed for incumbent workers with their Pharmacy Technician Trainee license who will maintain full-time employment in an apprenticeship during the time they are completing coursework. Students will learn interpersonal skills and regulatory standards required of pharmacy technicians. Includes roles and responsibilities of the technician in a variety of entry-level pharmacy operations, responses to regulatory issues, adherence to quality assurance procedures, patient and medication safety procedures, the procedures for handling of medications and filling medication orders, procurement, billing, reimbursement, inventory management procedures, and use of pharmacy technology and informatics database software. Students must complete all academic coursework and required apprenticeship hours to be eligible to complete this program and to be eligible for certification.

This is a Fast Track Certificate, which can be completed in two semesters or less.

Details

Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Degree Type
Certificate of Competency (CCT)
Academic Plan
Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship (CER)
Academic Plan Code
1138N
Total Clock Hours Required
254
Catalog Year
2023-2024
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Admissions criteria

1. Proof of temporary Pharmacy Technician Trainee license

2. Verification of employment as a pharmacy technician

Notes

This program is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.

Students are required to apply and receive their temporary Pharmacy Technician Trainee license through the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy as part of the admission criteria of the program. Students will participate in a paid apprenticeship consisting of 40 hours per week concurrent with 15 hours of classroom and lab per week. Students must complete all 720 hours of apprenticeship and coursework to be eligible to receive an authorization to test for the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification.

The Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship program tuition and fees include learning materials, certification review, labs, and the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Implement standard procedures for handling and processing medications and medication orders while working under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
  2. Perform mathematical, computer related, and billing aspects of the pharmacy technician`s role.
  3. Apply verbal, nonverbal, and written communication principles and skills in an effective and culturally competent manner within a team setting.
  4. Uphold all legal, regulatory, professional and ethical standards applicable to the role of pharmacy technicians.
  5. Implement regulatory and quality control guidelines required to ensure safe and compliant medication preparation.
  6. Demonstrate critical thinking in the analysis of the investigational drug process, medication use (including off-label indications), and emerging drug therapies.
  7. Appraise the pharmacy technician`s role in supporting wellness promotion and disease prevention programs.

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by block. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with a navigator to discuss their academic and career goals.
  • The course sequence is laid out by block and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • This is a cohort program in which students progress through their course of study together in the required course sequence.

Courses Sequence

Block 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Block 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Clock Hours
PHC120 Pharmacology and Pharmacy Technology 230
PHC122 Pharmacy Tech Certification Review 24
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of ‘P’ or ‘C’ or better (depending on the course grading scale) for all courses required within the program.

Weekly hour requirements vary by program. Students should meet with a navigator to discuss these requirements further. Actual completion times may vary. A separate $15 Registration Fee will be charged per academic year.

This certificate is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm12?id=183510).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.