Program Info
Program Description
A Level II (Complex Skills Certificate) program designed to prepare professional multi-skilled individuals for employment as an entry-level pharmacy technician in hospital, retail, community or other institutional pharmacies. Clinical duties are emphasized in the classroom and laboratory with directed practical experience in selected hospital, out patient, home infusion, long-term care and compounding pharmacies.
Pharmacy technicians are skilled health specialists who, under the direction and supervision of a pharmacist, assist in the varied activities of a pharmacy department.
Students in the program will have the opportunity to practice their skills using pharmacy specific equipment and supplies. This program begins only once per year in the fall semester. Externships may be taken in the spring, summer, or fall semester. The externship rotations are arranged and supervised by the PHT program director. The program is affiliated with sixteen hospital pharmacies, twelve or more out patient (retail and community) pharmacies, and several home infusion and long term care pharmacies.
- Perform technical skills used in the pharmacy setting including preparation and dispensing medications and processing physician orders in accordance with standard procedures.
- Perform technical skills used in the pharmacy setting including preparation of IV admixtures, bulk formulations and compounding in accordance with standard procedures.
- Communicate effectively using verbal, non-verbal, and written communication in the area of customer service with clients as well as members of the health care team.
According to recent reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians in this region are expected to remain strong through this decade. The shortage of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians is expected to continue as the health services industry expands because of technological advances in medicine and an aging population. In addition, employment growth will be driven by the increase in the number of outpatient pharmacies, home infusion pharmacies, compounding pharmacies and other pharmacy related facilities that need skilled support personnel, particularly pharmacy technicians.
General information about career placement and job success is available through either the Health Careers Office or the College’s Placement Office. In addition, salary expectations are discussed during the PHT program pre-acceptance interview.
Exposure to infectious diseases and latex may be minimal to moderate depending on the setting in which you are working.
Those with latex sensitivity or allergies should consult with a physician prior to entering the program for guidance on the merits of continuing in a health care career. During the course of the program students learn infection control guidelines and procedures and strict adherence to these guidelines will reduce the risk of exposure to infectious diseases.
Upon completion of the accredited program, students will be eligible for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board examination (PTCB) to earn the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential. This program is one of six college-based programs in Michigan to maintain accreditation through ASHSP. The State of Michigan requires licensed pharmacy technicians. In order to obtain licensure in the state of Michigan the pharmacy technician must complete the PTCB certification exam and become CPhT certified. The CPhT credential is a national certification recognized by employers across the country.
Any questions regarding the national certification exam, including qualifications and eligibility, should be directed to the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) at (202) 429-7576.
Transfer of Pharmacy Technician courses from other institutions will be accepted only from programs accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and will be evaluated on an individual basis.
The Pharmacy Technician Program may be completed in one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). In either case, careful course sequencing is required and each student must satisfy the program’s admission criteria.
There are specific admission criteria which must be satisfied in order to be admitted into this program; however, students are permitted to take the required support courses prior to being formally accepted and admitted into the program. AH-100, HCS-131, and BBA-110 may be taken prior to formal acceptance into the program.
HFC continuously attempts to improve each program, and as a result courses and requirements may be modified. Curriculum, course content and admission criteria are subject to change by action of the College faculty and administration.
The Pharmacy Technician Program is fully accredited through the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHSP), 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4820, (301) 657-3000
Admission Requirements
Students who meet all admission requirements are considered qualified and are admitted to the program once per year in the fall semester on a "first qualified, first admitted" basis. Acceptance into the college does not constitute nor guarantee admission to the program. Final approval to enroll in the program only comes from the Pharmacy Technician Program Director.
Program Admission Requirements
- A minimum high school academic grade point average of C+ (2.25). This requirement may also be satisfied by completion of at least 12 college credit hours with an academic grade point average of 2.25 (non-skill courses) for both transfer students and HFC students.
- Complete one of the following:
- Accuplacer Next Gen (250+) Reading Score.
- CAMLA score of 69 or higher.
- Completion of ENG 131 with a C or better
- Completion of MATH-100 or higher with a C or better.
- *Math course must be completed within five (5) years of admission.
- Complete one of the following.
- Typing Test of at least 25 words per minute.
- BCA-100 with a C or better.
The Program Admission Process
Our Health Career programs are limited enrollment programs with specific admission requirements. In order to get on the qualified list, you must complete the Pharmacy Technician (PHT) application found at the Health Careers Admissions Process site and all the PHT admission requirements. It is recommended that students interested in a health career meet with the Health Careers Student Success Navigator located in the Welcome Center Advising area. Make an appointment with the Health Careers Student Success Navigator early in your planning process. This will allow you to discuss program options and create an academic plan to qualify for the selected program.
Due to the number of credit hours required for program completion, students are encouraged to complete as many of the Required Support Courses as possible prior to entering the program. The first courses that a student should complete are those required for program admission followed by the other Required Support Courses.
Pharmacy Technician vs. Pre-Pharmacy Programs
HFC offers its students two distinct pharmacy options. One option is the is a one-year Pharmacy Technician Program. The technician curriculum is designed to prepare the students for employment assisting pharmacists after completion of the program. The courses in the Pharmacy Technician Program are designed to prepare the students for employment immediately and not designed for transfer nor intended for those students primarily interested in applying to pharmacy schools.
If a student’s primary intent is on becoming a pharmacist, then the second pharmacy option at HFC which is the Associate in Science Pre-Pharmacy Program is the curriculum that should be followed. The Pre-Pharmacy Academic Transfer Program is designed for the transfer of course work for those students primarily interested in applying to pharmacy schools.
Required core courses can be taken only after formal admission to the Pharmacy Technician (PHT) program by the Pharmacy Technician Program Director.
All educational experiences are under the guidance of the PHT program. Student progress is evaluated in the classroom, laboratory and clinical setting throughout the program. Progression in the program is based upon the student meeting the following requirements:
- Adherence to the program requirements outlined in the PHT Student Handbook.
- Achievement of a minimum grade of C (C- is not acceptable) or better in all PHT and required courses.
- Maintenance of an overall cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or better.
CPR requirement
- American Heart Association, Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification (AHA-BLS for Healthcare Providers card) valid for at least one year from the beginning of Winter Term 1 (January) in the program through the end of Clinical Rotation.
- May be fulfilled by taking AH-105.
Health Appraisal
- Students in the Pharmacy Technician program are expected to meet the same physical and mental requirements as an employed pharmacy technician. A representative Pharmacy Technician Job Profile is available upon request from the Health Careers Office or during the interview with the program director.
- The job profile lists the specific physical and mental requirements as well as the environmental conditions of the occupation. Each student must have a physical examination and vaccination record on file before admission to externship rotations. The Health Appraisal Form addresses the issue of normal color perception, eye-hand coordination, and any history of substance abuse.
Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen
- Consistent with Section 20173 of the Michigan Public Health Code and the requirements of our clinical affiliates, a Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen clearance (on first test) is required for all students in the PHT program prior to beginning clinical assignments. The cost for this test is in addition to the basic tuition and fee schedule.
- Students who are not cleared for clinical through the health appraisal, criminal background check and have not passed the drug screen on the first test will not be able to complete the program.
Program Requirements
Achievement of a minimum grade of C (C- is not acceptable) or better is required in all PHT and required support courses in the program.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| AH-100: Medical Terminology | 4.00 |
| BBA-110: Business Grammar and Punctuation | 3.00 |
| HCS-131: Computers in Health Care | 3.00 |