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Division of
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Technical Education
Faculty
Kimberly Brown
Director and Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Technician Program
423.318.2757
Resources
Pharmacy technicians are assistants to pharmacists, working under their direct supervision. Entry-Level and Advanced Pharmacy Technology graduates are prepared to practice in contemporary or advanced pharmacy settings (e.g. community, hospital, home care, long-term care, nursing homes, insurance companies, mail order, internet). With an innovative classroom and laboratory design, students are provided training ranging from processing prescriptions, interpreting medication orders, non-sterile and sterile compounding, legal and ethical issues, billing, inventory management, the Top 200 drugs, and pharmacology.
As PTCB recognized education/training programs, students are eligible to take the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. Additionally, we are a PTCB recognized education/training program for the CSPT (Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician) Exam. Active certified technicians who have completed or enrolled in the Advanced Program and have one year of full-time continuous compounded sterile preparation (CSP) work experience qualify to take the CSPT national exam.
Technical Certificate in Entry-Level Pharmacy Technology
The 16-credit hour Entry-level program may be completed within one semester, which includes didactic, simulation, and experiential coursework. Students achieve skills, behaviors, and abilities required in contemporary pharmacy practice. Entry-level students are prepared for the national board examination to become certified pharmacy technicians.
Technical Certificate in Entry-Level Pharmacy Technology Curriculum
Technical Certificate in Advanced Pharmacy Technology
Students who have completed the 16-hour Technical Certificate in Entry-Level Pharmacy Technology are eligible for admission into the Advanced Pharmacy Technology Technical Certificate Program, which includes didactic, simulation, and experiential coursework. The Advanced Pharmacy Technology Program can be completed in one academic year. Students acquire additional knowledge, skills, behaviors, and abilities beyond those of the Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician, needed for advanced roles in pharmacy practice. Students are prepared for advanced national certification examinations. Students who have completed the Entry-Level Pharmacy Technology program do not need to reapply to the Advanced Pharmacy Technology program.
Technical Certificate in Advanced Pharmacy Technology Curriculum
Accreditation
The Pharmacy Technician Program at Walters State Community College is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). The Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission (PTAC) is a collaboration between
the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
4500 East West Highway, Suite 900
Bethesda, MD 20814
301.664.8835
www.ashp.org
Admission, Retention and Graduation Requirements
- Complete the Walters State Application for Admission, if not currently a student.
- Meet the college’s general admission requirements and should indicate Pharmacy Technician (PHRX) as their major.
- Must complete the Pharmacy Technician Program application.
- Be attending high school, possess a high school equivalency certificate, or be a high school graduate.
- Meet the minimum age requirements, which must be based on state requirements for employment of pharmacy technicians.
- Have English language proficiency (including reading, writing, and speaking), except in cases where the native language of the country or territory in which the program is taking place is different (e.g., Puerto Rico).
- Have math proficiency sufficient to fulfill the requirements of pharmacy technician job responsibilities.
- Providing ACT, SAT, COMPASS, ACCUPLACER or other approved standardized exam, with test scores that are less than 5 years old; or
- Providing transcripts that document the applicant has previously taken and successfully completed developmental, learning support, or college level courses in those areas.
- While in the program, students must comply with the college’s policies and successfully meet program curriculum requirements.
- Obtain certificate as a Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider.
- Have a background check to assess any illicit drug use and criminal history. (TBR vendor)
- The criminal background check and drug screening (at the student's expense), will be used for appropriate decisions regarding continuation in the program.
- Prior to the clinical training phase of the program, the student must obtain the following: a physical examination, laboratory tests, immunizations, and liability insurance, all at the student’s expense. Liability insurance is obtained in the amount specified by the program’s director. Criminal background check and registration with the Board of Pharmacy at the student’s expense may be required.
- Program graduation requirements include the successful completion of the courses in the program with a minimum grade of “C” in each course.
- Meet the college's graduation requirements, including a cumulative institutional 2.0 GPA excluding developmental or learning support classes.
Career Outlook
With over 3 billion prescriptions filled in the United States annually, skilled and competent pharmacy technicians are in high demand. According the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the average salary for pharmacy technicians is $28,000*in East Tennessee. Salaries may vary based on certification and pharmacy practice setting. Many graduates choose to be a pharmacy technician as a life-long career, while others have used the program as a foundation in their pursuit of advanced healthcare opportunities, such as nursing or pharmacy school.
*Annual mean salary in 2018 according to BLS data Occupational Employment Statistics Survey.
Program Outcomes
| Academic Year | Graduation Rates | PTCB Pass Rate* PTCB National Pass Rate was 57-58% during these years. |
Job Placement Rate within 1 year of graduation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-2019 | 53% | 85% | Pending |
| 2017-2018 | 74% | 100% | 71% |
| 2016-2017 | 79% | 75% | 71% |
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
Tuition is set each June by the Tennessee Board of Regents. Tuition and fees for the current academic year may be viewed on the Cashier’s Office website.
Students admitted to the Pharmacy Technician Program will be assessed a non-refundable $25.00 per credit hour Allied Health Course Fee for the duration of the program.
Four types of financial aid are available; federal, state, institutional and other sources. Students need to send FAFSA information to the college for consideration for state and/or federal money (lottery scholarships, Pell grants, etc.). For specific information please contact the Financial Aid Office.
Estimated Cost
| Advanced Pharmacy Technology | Estimated program cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition and maintenance fees | $6500 |
| Textbooks (approximate cost for required pharmacy textbooks only) | $500 |
| Background Check (depends on vendor) | $32 |
| Drug Screen (depends on vendor) | $54 |
| CPR Certification | $60 |
| Professional Liability Insurance | $45 |
| Physical Exam (approximate cost) w/immunizations | $100-$250 |
| Uniform Scrubs | $35-50 |
| PTCB National Board Examination fee | $129 |
Pharmacy Technology Mission Statement
The Pharmacy Technician Program's mission is to be consistent with the mission of Walters State Community College. The college mission is to lead the community into the twenty-first century with comprehensive, quality education. The mission in the Pharmacy Technician Program is to fill the need for pharmacy technicians immediately and into the next century.
The program's mission is to provide comprehensive, quality training for the students which will lead to a technical certificate of completion. Training these technicians will increase the benefits to the local community by providing better and more complete health care through a mechanism of freeing the pharmacist to perform the counseling duties which have been mandated by OBRA 90. Therefore, the program remains consistent with the mission statement "The college's management system is designed to ensure the delivery of programs and services that meet the needs of the individuals, business and industry, and the community."
The Technician Program Director will collaborate with state governing bodies, with other schools, with pharmacy organizations, and the advisory committee to ensure that the program is soundly based in its protocols and course work. The program will adjust and change as needs arise to take full advantage of the local and state conditions; therefore, the department will remain consistent with the mission statement "For the service area, Walters State assesses and responds to changing community needs and provides opportunities for enhancing the quality of life throughout upper East Tennessee."
Pharmacy Technology Program Objectives
To prepare graduates to enter the field of the pharmacy profession as trained technicians capable of filling the needs for pharmacy technicians in the East Tennessee area immediately and into the next century.
To provide comprehensive, quality training for the students so that they will be able to demonstrate adequate knowledge to work in the retail and institutional pharmacy with minimal adaptation and to provide the student with adequate didactic work to prepare them to successfully complete the National Certification Pharmacy Technician Examination.
To provide the student with technical competency in pharmacy technology to the extent that the student will be able to perform the tasks generally associated with pharmacy technician duties.
To provide the student with adequate skills in communication to successfully communicate with the sick and ambulatory patient and to successfully interact with coworkers so as to avoid problems and to solve problems when they occur and demonstrate judgment and decision-making as might be required of a pharmacy technician in the pharmacy setting.
Legal Limitations for Certification
Graduates of the program will be eligible to apply to take the national certification exam to become a certified pharmacy technician. However, individuals who have been convicted of crimes other than minor traffic violations could be ineligible for pharmacy technician certification in the state of Tennessee, even though they have successfully completed the Pharmacy Technician program. Pharmacy technicians may not practice unless under the direct supervision of a pharmacist.
Class Resources
The program has been enriched with PioneerRx Pharmacy Software; a cloud-based system chosen by independent pharmacists. The software is equipped with powerful tools that will prepare students to graduate with a robust set of pharmacy skills, simulating medication order entry and processing. https://www.pioneerrx.com/
For information on the Pharmacy Technician program, call Brown at 423.318.2757.
