Pharmacy Technician
Learn what it takes to work as a pharmacy technician in community, clinic and hospital pharmacies.
Potential Salary$40,000
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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Student Success Rates
Pharmacy Technician Student Success Rates: 2015 2016 2017 Spring Cohort 2017 Fall Cohort Student Success Rates Number of Enrolled 23 22 17 18 Number of Graduates 20 18 12 18 CPhT/ExCPT Pass Rate 100% 100% 82% 79% Graduate Response In process 33% 43% 49% Graduates Employed In process 82% 85% 83% Graduate Satisfaction In process 100% 100% 100% -
Curriculum & Prerequisites
Program Prerequisites
- High School Diploma or GED
- Must be eligible to work in the United States
- Placement into or completion of MTH 060 & RD 115 or higher
- Pass a criminal background check and drug test
See Course Sequences for more information.
See the details of our program curriculum and prerequisites.
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Additional costs
Once admitted to the program and prior to starting spring or fall, the following approximate expenses must be paid –
Expenses prior to starting fall or spring term:
- Immunizations/TB screenings – $150
- CPR class – $80
- Drug screening – $45
- Equipment Kit - $30
Expenses after starting fall or spring term:
- Oregon Board of Pharmacy License fee (includes fingerprinting & background check) – $90.00
- Fingerprinting Site Processing fee – $12.50
- Passport-sized photo – $15
The fees for the program are subject to change.
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Criminal Background Check & Drug Testing
Upon entry into the program, you will be required to pass a criminal background check and pass a ten-panel drug screening urinalysis conducted by a college approved vendor. If you do not pass the criminal background check and/or pass the drug screening, program registration will not be possible. If you are arrested during the time you're enrolled in the program, you must notify the Program Chair of the arrest. Your status in the program will be reviewed by the Pharmacy Technician Program Chair and the Dean of Health Sciences. A possible outcome of the review may be your inability to continue in the program.
For a list of disqualifying crimes, please see Disqualifying Crimes. For a more in-depth list, please see Disqualifying Crimes Expanded List
For more information call the Health Sciences Dept at 503.399.5058.