The Pharmacy Technician Training Program prepares students for the role of support personnel in hospital, community and other pharmacy settings. Pharmacy technicians provide assistance to the pharmacist in a variety of technical tasks involving the packaging, distribution, compounding, labeling, and recording of drugs. Knowledgeable, experienced professionals will guide students in their clinical coursework, which is supervised by the college.
The Pharmacy Technician Program is a three-quarter instructional and clinical program with preliminary requirements that should be completed before program entry. Admission to the program is outlined in two stages: preliminary requirements and final program admission.
Graduation Application A completed Graduation Application form must be submitted to Enrollment Services by the 10th day of the quarter in which the student expects to graduate. Forms are available online or at Enrollment Services located in Lynnwood Hall.
Students are advised to:
- Plan their schedule several quarters in advance in order to accommodate courses that are offered only once or twice a year,
- Review the college catalog for required course prerequisites and include these in schedule planning, and
- Communicate with a faculty adviser.
| Advisers |
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| Kimberly Guerin |
kimberly.guerin@edcc.edu |
| Shannon Trivett |
shannon.trivett@edcc.edu |
| Elizabeth Patterson |
elizabeth.patterson@edcc.edu |
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Department website
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www.edcc.edu/ahe |
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Credit/Grade Requirements This Certificate requires successful completion of a minimum of 39 credits as outlined. A minimum of 30 credits or one-third of the required credits, whichever is less, must be earned at Edmonds Community College. Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in all college-level courses.
Students must achieve a grade of 2.5 or higher in all Pharmacy Technician courses. Upon completion of the program, students must pass the National Certification Exam before receiving license. Visit the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board for more information. Required program courses may only be repeated once.
Prerequisites Applicants must be 18 years of age and provide proof of graduation from an accredited high school or GED. Proof of completion of the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of 2.0 or equivalent is required to enroll in the certificate classes. Course substitutions are allowed. Students with previous healthcare training may be able to waive prerequisites on adviser approval. Students must see their Allied Health program adviser to complete this process.
Students must apply to the Washington State Department of Health – Board of Pharmacy to obtain licensure as a Pharmacy Assistant before entering into Clinical Work Experience. This will include a criminal background check. Some employers/externship sites may require a drug test prior to employment.
In the clinical/work environment, candidates must:
• Verify immunizations, tuberculin status and/or chest x-ray
• Be able to lift 10 to 20 pounds repetitively
• Be able to stand, reach, grasp, and use fine motor skills often*
*Physical requirements may change depending on the individual situation and accommodations
Note: This requirement planning sheet is not a substitute for meeting with an academic adviser. Meeting the requirements to graduate with an Edmonds Community College degree or certificate is ultimately the responsibility of the student.
PGM Code – 399C
Effective summer 2011 | Rev: 02/11
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