Overview and Award Outcomes
Overview
The Pharmacy Technician Diploma program prepares graduates for entry level careers working under the direction of Registered Pharmacists in retail, clinic, and hospital inpatient settings. The pharmacy technician provides an integral role in assisting pharmacists with prescription processing. The pharmacy technician complies with standard written procedures and guidelines under the direct supervision of a Registered Pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians assist the pharmacist with medication preparation, administrative duties, and provide front line customer service in the pharmacy setting. The program prepares graduates for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam which is necessary for certification.
Prerequisite: Qualifying score on reading, writing, math and computer literacy assessment tests.
Award Outcomes
Demonstrate an understanding of all policies and procedures that govern pharmacy technicians.
Perform duties as a pharmacy technician in the retail, industry and hospital environments.
Demonstrate the ability to prepare and interpret pharmacy orders accurately.
Exhibit work ethic characteristics of professionalism, responsibility and dependability.
Apply knowledge of basic sciences to the practice of pharmacy technology.
Demonstrate ability to communicate with patients, health care providers and colleagues.
Career Opportunities
Pharmacy Technicians work in retail, clinic, online, and hospital pharmacies.
Semester Sequence
Offered at Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie
Pre-Pharmacy Technician Course Requirements
| Score of 78+ on ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension Test | |
| or | |
| ENGL0921 | Applied Reading Techniques | 3 |
| or | |
| ESOL0841 | Grammar/Writing IV | 5 |
| and | |
| ESOL0842 | Reading IV | 4 |
| and | |
| ESOL0843 | College Communication Skills IV | 3 |
| Score of 86+ on ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills Test | |
| or | |
| ENGL1021 | Essay Fundamentals | 3 |
| Score of 41+ on ACCUPLACER Elementary Algebra Test | |
| or | |
| MATH1050 | Math Pathways Plus for College and Careers | 4 |
| or | |
| MATH1060 | Math Pathways for College and Careers | 3 |
Total Credits 0
Pharmacy Technician program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Graduates are eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTEC). Upon passing this exam, students earn the credential: CPhT (Certified Pharmacy Technician).
First Semester
| PHRM1000 | Medical and Pharmacy Terminology | 2 |
| PHRM1010 | Pharmacy Law and Ethics | 2 |
| PHRM1020 | Pharmaceutical Calculations | 2 |
| PHRM1040 | Principles of Pharmacy Practice I | 4 |
| PHRM1100 | Chemistry for Pharmacy Technicians | 4 |
| BIOL2045 | Human Biology - Replaced by: BIOL1400 - new gen ed # - Summer 2022 | 4 |
| or | |
| HLTH1010 | Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
Second Semester
| PHRM1055 | Pharmacology and Epidemiology of Disease Processes | 5 |
| PHRM1060 | Principles of Pharmacy Practice II | 5 |
| PHRM1080 | Pharmacy Technician Externship I | 3 |
| PHRM1090 | Pharmacy Technician Externship II | 3 |
| COMM2050 | Interpersonal Communication - Replaced by: COMM1250 - new gen ed # - Summer 2022 | 3 |
Criminal Background Studies
Minnesota law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with children, patients, and residents at a health or child care facility licensed by the State of Minnesota must have a background study conducted by the state. Individuals with specified felony convictions are prohibited from having direct contact with children, patients, and residents of licensed facilities. Anyone refusing to cooperate in the criminal background study cannot participate in coursework that requires direct contact with children, patients or residents. Students who are disqualified from having direct patient/resident/child contact will not be able to participate in coursework which includes a practical experience. Therefore, completion of coursework for the program major will not be possible without documentation of a cleared background study.
Graduation (37 Credits)
Semester listings reflect the recommended sequence. Due to circumstances beyond our control, the information herein is subject to change without notice.
6/20/2019 : BP 8906 / EP 8907