Applied Technology Diploma

Pharmacy Technician (B300)

Mission Statement: Creating competent, ethical, confident entry-level health care practitioners committed to professional development through life-long learning in a positive, non-discriminatory and supportive learning environment.

The Career: Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of licensed pharmacists to perform technical and clerical duties in the systematic operation of the pharmacy. They are prepared to work in retail and community pharmacies, hospital and health care affiliated pharmacies, or mail-order pharmacies. Pharmacy technicians practice under the legal umbrella of the pharmacist license; therefore, all technician activities are the responsibility of the pharmacist.

The Program: This program provides students with the theoretical, practical and clinical skills needed to work as a pharmacy technician in a retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, health care facility, nursing home or mail-order pharmacy.

Certification and Licensing
Program completers will be eligible to take the national pharmacy technician certification exam offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.

Application Procedure
To apply to the program, students must:

1. Have a valid student number issued by Florida Community College.
2. Have earned a high school diploma or equivalency degree.
3. Satisfactorily complete all college preparatory courses needed.
4. Complete the College Placement Tests.
5. Via student affairs, ensure they are listed as degree-seeking and majoring in the program of Pharmacy Technician.

Cost
Estimated tuition is $2,530 (for Florida residents, as of 7/05). Contact program manager for additional costs (textbooks, materials, fees).

Curriculum

Professional Courses
PTN 1001	Introduction to Pharmacy	3
PTN 1131	Applied Pharmacy Practice	3
PTN 1131L	Applied Pharmacy Practice Laboratory	3
PTN 1017	Pharmacy Technician Math	3
PTN 1121	Therapeutic Agents I	3
PTN 1122	Therapeutic Agents II	3
PTN 1930	Community Pharmacy Seminar	1
PTN 1940	Pharmacy Technician Practicum I	2
PTN 1941	Pharmacy Technician Practicum II	3
PTN 1942	Pharmacy Technician Practicum III	3
	Credit Hours	27

Supporting Courses
CGS 1060	Introductory Computer Concepts	3
or CGS 1570 Microcomputer Concepts
*BSC 2020C	Human Biology	4
ENC 1101	English Composition I	3
HSC 1531	Medical Terminology (for Health Professions)	3
	Credit Hours	13

Total Credit Hours: 40

*The BSC 2010C prerequisite has been waived for students enrolled in the Funeral Services, Emergency Medical Services and Pharmacy Technician programs.

Note
Prior to contact with patients or patient specimens, students must furnish proof of childhood immunizations. Hepatitis B vaccination is strongly recommended. Health insurance must be maintained throughout clinical training. Contact program chairperson for additional information.

Most clinical agencies require students to undergo drug screen and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Failure to qualify for and meet clinical requirements at clinical sites may prevent completion of the program. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.

The cost of the background check and drug screen is borne by the student. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to have all paperwork completed by the program’s published deadline. Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into selective access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition.