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
Please visit here for job openings listed with the Oregon Employment Department for Pharmacy Technicians.
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Accreditation
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.
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Program Cost
Once admitted to the program, the following approximate expenses must be paid prior/during the program:
One Year Certification:
Tuition: $4,356
Universial Fees: $1628
Program/Lab Fees: $719Total Tuition/Fees: $6,703
*Total tuition/fees does not include prerequisite classes
Second Year AAS - Phamarcamy Management
Tuition: $4,752
Universial Fees: $1,776
Program/Lab Fees: $214Total Tuition/Fees: $6,742
*Tuition/fees listed for AAS does not included required certificate program cost
Additional Costs:
- Immunizations/TB tests approx. $150.00
- CPR class approx. $80.00
- Immunization Tracker/Drug Screen approx. $68.00
- Equipment Kit approx. $30.00
- Oregon Board of Pharmacy License fee (includes fingerprinting & background check) approx. $142
- Fingerprinting Site Processing fee approx. $12.50
- Passport-sized Photo approx. $15.00
Helpful Resources:
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Student Success Rates
Student Success Rates
Academic Year 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025 Completion Rate 81% 87.5% 77.7% Licensure Exam Pass Rate 79% 81% 83% -
Program Admission Criteria
Applicants are required to:
- Be eligible to work in the United States
- Be 18 years of age upon application for initial licensure
- Have a High School Diploma or GED Certificate
- Pass a criminal background check with Oregon State Board Of Pharmacy
- Pass a drug screen
- Submit required immunization documentation
- Submit a valid American Heart Association (AHA) BLS Provider CPR certification
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Background Check, Drug Test, and Immunizations
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
Upon entry into this program you will be required to show proof of various vaccines. Please review the Health Sciences Immunization & CPR requirements (click here). 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.
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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.