Pharmacy Technician
The Certificate of Competency (CCT) in Pharmacy Technician program meets Pharmacy Technician Certification Board requirements for students to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. 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, and inventory management procedures, and use of pharmacy technology and informatics database software. Students must complete 200 hours of in-person externship in order to complete this program.
Details
1. 18 years of age to enroll.
2. Background check requirements: Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Background Check Standards. Upon conditional program enrollment, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD Background Check Policy.
3. Clinical health and safety requirements must be met. Upon conditional program enrollment, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD Clinical Health and Safety Policy.
4. Inability to comply with background check requirements and/or clinical health and safety requirements at the start of classes may result in cancellation of enrollment.
Students are required to apply and receive their temporary pharmacy technician trainee license through the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy during the first few weeks of class in order to attend job shadowing and clinical externship. This program has a 200-hour clinical externship requirement with a scheduled meeting pattern that varies from the class schedule. Clinical externship is off campus at an industry partner (hospital or retail pharmacy). Students are responsible for their own travel. Clinical externship is unpaid. Students must complete all 200 hours of clinical externship and pass each course with a grade of 75% or greater to pass the program.
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Implement standard procedures for handling and processing medications and medication orders while working under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
- Perform mathematical, computer related, and billing aspects of the pharmacy technician`s role.
- Apply verbal, nonverbal, and written communication principles and skills in an effective and culturally competent manner within a team setting.
- Uphold all legal, regulatory, professional and ethical standards applicable to the role of pharmacy technicians.
- Implement regulatory and quality control guidelines required to ensure safe and compliant medication preparation.
- Demonstrate critical thinking in the analysis of the investigational drug process, medication use (including off-label indications), and emerging drug therapies.
- 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.
Pharmacy Technicians
$36,462 Show expanded career information for Pharmacy Technicians
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
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Clock Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHC101 | Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians | 60 | ||
| PHC102 | Pharmacy Tech I | 120 | ||
| PHC102AB | Pharmacy Tech II | 128 |
Block 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Clock Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHC107 | Math and Dosages | 90 | ||
| PHC122 | Pharmacy Tech Certification Review | 20 | ||
| PHC114 | Pharmacy Tech Externship | 200 |
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.
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=176551).
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.
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.