Pharmacy Technician
A Career as a Pharmacy Technician
The Pharmacy Technician certificate program at Pima Medical Institute will give you the tools to enter the health care world as a professional in a retail pharmacy, hospital, home health care setting, mail order or pharmaceutical wholesalers industry. Pharmacy technicians are the key communication liaison between medical professionals, doctors, pharmacists and patients and may assist pharmacists in providing medications and health care products to patients. As a certified Pharmacy Technician, you'll receive and verify prescriptions and prepare patient medication.
Pharmacy Technician Program Description
Pima's pharmacy technician classes will train you to maintain client profiles and insurance claim forms. Pima's Pharmacy Technician program will train you to prepare and provide medication and other health products to patients; mix intravenous solutions, count tables and label bottles; receive electronic prescriptions from medical offices; handle computer order entry of prescriptions; receive written prescriptions and requests for patient refills; verify complete and accurate prescriptions; stock and inventory prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Pharmacy Technician Program Outline:
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits | ||||
| CSK 100 | Study Skills* | 15 | 1.0 | ||||||
| CAT 150 | Anatomy, Physiology, and Terminology* | 55 | 3.5 | ||||||
| CCB 100 | Computer Basics* | 15 | 0.5 | ||||||
| CMF 95 | Math Fundamentals* | 20 | 1.0 | ||||||
| CHS 100 | CPR & First Aid* | 10 | 5 | 0.5 | |||||
| Career Prep Sequence Total | 100 | 20 | 6.5 | ||||||
*Successful completion of CSK 100, CAT 150, CCB 100, CMF 95, and CHS 100 is required either online or on-ground prior to externship. | |||||||||
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits | ||||
| PHA 115 | Pharmacy Math | 15 | 1.0 | ||||||
| PHA 120 | Inventory Maintenance | 15 | 15 | 1.5 | |||||
| PHA 200 | Pharmacology | 15 | 30 | 2.0 | |||||
| PHA 102 | Pharmacy Law & Ethics | 30 | 2.0 | ||||||
| Professional Sequence I Total | 75 | 45 | 6.5 | ||||||
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits | ||||
| PHA 125 | Pharmacy Math | 15 | 1.0 | ||||||
| PHA 108 | Pharmacy Technician Duties | 30 | 30 | 3.0 | |||||
| PHA 210 | Pharmacology | 15 | 30 | 2.0 | |||||
| Professional Sequence II Total | 60 | 60 | 6.0 | ||||||
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits | ||||
| PHA 135 | Pharmacy Math | 15 | 1.0 | ||||||
| PHA 140 | Principles of Customer Service | 10 | 5 | 0.5 | |||||
| PHA 220 | Pharmacology | 15 | 30 | 2.0 | |||||
| PHA 225 | Pharmacy Laboratory Skills | 15 | 30 | 2.0 | |||||
| Professional Sequence III Total | 55 | 65 | 5.5 | ||||||
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits | ||||
| PHA 145 | Pharmacy Math | 15 | 1.0 | ||||||
| PHA 160 | Pharmacy Computer Applications | 15 | 30 | 2.0 | |||||
| PHA 230 | Pharmacology | 15 | 30 | 2.0 | |||||
| PHA 240 | Fundamentals of Chemistry | 15 | 1.0 | ||||||
| Professional Sequence IV Total | 60 | 60 | 6.0 | ||||||
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits | ||||
| PHA 275 | Externship | 200 | 4.0 | ||||||
| Externship Total | 200 | 4.0 | |||||||
| PROGRAM TOTALS | 350 | 250 | 200 | 34.5 | |||||
Job Outlook for Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy Technicians are in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow 25 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations through 2018. Employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians are expected to be excellent due to increased needs within the pharmaceutical industry, a larger and older population and a greater need for medication today.
Pharmacy Technician Licensure and Certification
The nationally accredited and state-licensed program at Pima Medical Institute will prepare you for the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (CPhT), administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. More states and employers are requiring certification as reliance on pharmacy technicians grows.
Pharmacy Technician Program Length
Approximately 10 months
*In Chula Vista, the day classes are 33 weeks and the evening classes are 38 weeks. In Las Vegas, the day and evening classes are 36 and 41 weeks, respectively.
For more detailed information on Pharmacy Technician program specifics, financial aid and lifetime job placement assistance for graduates, please visit your local campus below.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chula Vista, California
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
East Valley, Arizona
Las Vegas, Nevada
Mesa, Arizona
Renton, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Tucson, Arizona
