Pharmacy Technician
Learn what it takes to work as a pharmacy technician in community, clinic and hospital pharmacies.
topics Health Sciences
Skills & InterestHelping People
CareersHealth Sciences
Why choose Pharmacy Technician?
Chemeketa offers a one-year Pharmacy Technician certificate and a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Pharmacy Management.
Our program prepares students for occupations in a wide variety of health service areas as well as preparing those currently working in the field to take the national board exams.
The Pharmacy Technician program is the first program in Oregon that is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Our program is also a Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Recognized Education/Training Program.
What will you learn?
In Chemeketa’s pharmacy technician program, our experienced faculty will teach you about helping pharmacists through a mix of classroom and lab work.
The skills you'll learn at the certificate level –
- Organize and maintain patient records and inventory control systems
- Accurately compound and prepare prescriptions under the direction of a licensed pharmacist
- Use aseptic technology to prepare prescriptions in specialized pharmaceutical settings
The skills you'll learn at the degree level –
- Provide leadership as a pharmacy manager using effective communication strategies, including speaking, listening, writing, negotiating, and persuasion
- Use accounting principles for inventory management and cost containment
- Ensure regulatory compliance and patient safety within the pharmacy organization
See Course Sequences for more information.
What will you do?
Pharmacy technicians work in pharmacies of all sizes. They work directly under the supervision of licensed pharmacists. You can work in many different settings –
- Retail pharmacies
- Clinic pharmacies
- Hospital pharmacies
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Prospects for Employment
Please visit here for job openings listed with the Oregon Employment Department for Pharmacy Technicians.
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Student Success Rates
Spring Student Success Rates
Academic Year 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 Completion Rate 82% 92% 40% Licensure Exam Pass Rate 80% 78% - Fall Student Success Rates
Academic Year 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 Completion Rate 89% 81% 100% Licensure Exam Pass Rate 82% 79% 73% -
Admission Criteria
Application
To apply, please download and complete the Fall 2022 Application Packet
Once application is completed, please upload application and supporting documents to the link below:
Fall 2022 Application Submission
Admission Criteria
- Application
- Must be eligible to work in the United States
- 18 years of age upon application for initial licensure
- High School Diploma or GED Certificate
- Pass a criminal background check with Oregon State Board Of Pharmacy
- Drug Screen
- Immunizations, and obtain CPR Certification
Placement test (Math and Writing may be waived depending on placement).
Reading 115 recommend, but not required.
See the details of our program for the curriculum and prerequisites starting on Page 134.
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Technology Requirements for Program
It is highly recommended that students have access to a computer with high speed internet access and a printer. Electronic technology is used extensively in the presentation of content throughout the Pharmacy Technician Program. If students do not possess their own equipment, they should plan to spend at least 20 hours per week utilizing on-campus computer lab and/or library resources.
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Program Cost
Once admitted to the program spring or fall, the following approximate expenses must be paid prior and during program:
- Immunizations/TB tests $150.00
- CPR class $80.00
- Immunization Tracker/Drug Screen $68.00
- Equipment Kit $30.00
- Oregon Board of Pharmacy License fee (includes fingerprinting & background check) $141.25
- Fingerprinting Site Processing fee $12.50
- Passport-sized Photo $15.00
Term One
Total tuition
2758.00
Course
Course Title
Credit hours
Tuition
MTH 070
Elementary Algebra
4
528
PHM101
Into to Pharmacy Technology
1
137
PHM115
Pharmacy Operations/Management
3
411
PHM120
Pharmacy Operations/Laboratory
3
586
PHM230
Pharmaceutical Drug classifications
3
411
PHM231
Pharmacology 1
5
685
Term Two
Total tuition
2633.00
Course
Course Title
Credit hours
Tuition
PHM110
Pharmacy Calculations
3
411
PHM210
Over-the-Counter (OTC) products
2
274
PHM215
Sterile Compounding/Cytoxic Medications
3
461
PHM220
Multicultural Patient Healthcare
2
274
PHM232
Pharmacology 2
5
685
WR115
Introduction to Composition
4
528
Term Three
Total tuition
2089.00
Course
Course Title
Credit hours
Tuition
PHM130
Pharmacy Info: Law and Ethics
3
411
PHM150
Pharmacy Practicum
4
602
PHM151
Pharmacy Tech Seminar
1
137
PHM233
Pharmacology 3
3
411
PSY104
Workplace Psychology
4
528
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Criminal Background Check & Drug Testing
Background and Drug Screening
Once a student has been accepted to the Pharmacy Technician Program, he/she will be required to pass a criminal background check, conducted by the Oregon Board of Pharmacy, which fulfills the requirements of the Oregon Board of Pharmacy as well as clinical sites. In addition, students will be required to pass a ten-panel drug screening urinalysis which fulfills the requirements of the program and clinical sites. If a student does not pass the criminal background check and/ or the drug screening, continuation in the program will not be possible.
If a student is arrested during the time he/she is enrolled in the Program, he/she must notify the Program Chair of the Pharmacy Technician Program of the arrest. The student’s status in the Program will be reviewed by the Pharmacy Technician Program Chair and the Dean of Health Sciences office. A possible outcome of the review may be the student’s inability to continue in the Program. Students may also need to submit to a ten-panel drug screen urinalysis (UA) and/or an additional criminal background check prior to spring term practicum placement as requested by practicum sites.
Illicit drug use and criminal background checks may prevent future employment as a pharmacy technician and externship sites, employers, and the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy have regulations about drug use and criminal background checks,
For a list of disqualifying crimes, please see Disqualifying Crimes. For a more in-depth list, please see Disqualifying Crimes Expanded List
Immunizations and CPR Requirements
The Oregon Health Authority has established standards for requirements for health professional student placements in clinical training settings within the State of Oregon. Immunizations include Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR); Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap), and Varicella. Required screenings include tuberculosis. The Chemeketa Program is also requiring the influenza vaccine.
All reports of TB screening and immunization status must be on official records and must be complete before you are eligible to register for Health Sciences courses.
Please note your immunization status may prevent future employment as a pharmacy technician and externship sites, employers, and the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy have regulations.
For more information call the Health Sciences Dept at 503.399.5058.
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Requirements for Oregon State Board of Pharmacy
Requirements for state registration or licensure as a Pharmacy Technician:
- Non-renewable license for externship; and for Certified Pharmacy Technician pass National Exam
Requirements for obtaining and maintaining National Pharmacy Technician Certification:
- National Exam, and 20 hours of continuing Ed. for every two years.