Degree: Career Studies Certificate Pharmacy Technician (Entry Level)
Length: This career studies certificate is a two-semester certificate.
Purpose: The Pharmacy Technician program is designed to prepare students to assist and support licensed pharmacists in providing health care and medications to patients. Students will obtain a broad knowledge of pharmacy practice and be skilled in the techniques required to order, stock, and package, prepare, and dispense medications under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Program graduates will be eligible to take one of the national pharmacy technician certification exams: The Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE) and/or The Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).
Occupational Objectives: Pharmacy technicians work in hospital, retail, home health care, nursing home, clinic, nuclear medicine, and mail order prescription pharmacies. Pharmacy technicians have been employed with medical insurance, medical computer software, drug manufacturing, drug wholesale, and food processing companies, and as instructors in pharmacy technician training programs. Currently, hospital, home health care, and retail pharmacies hire the majority of technicians.
Program Note: WCC’s Entry Level Pharmacy Technician Career Studies Certificate Program is in candidate status for national accreditation by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
Admission Requirements: Admission to the Career Studies Certificate program is based upon the general requirements for admission to the college.
