Certificate of Achievement in Basic Pharmacy Technician

The Certificate of Achievement in Basic Pharmacy Technician is a nine (9) month, part-time, stackable program, which serves as a direct CTE pathway for students to pursue careers within the pharmacy profession and various entry-level allied health profession. The academic curriculum, competency-based training, and transferrable skills development will result in skills and credentials necessary to secure living wage skilled positions in the pharmacy profession with the potential for promotion and opportunities for future educational advancement in pharmacy or any health care related career. Students must be 18 years old and possess a high school diploma/GED or equivalent to participate in externship and apply for a license with the California Board of Pharmacy.

 

We anticipate between 24-30 completers each year. 

The Certificate of Achievement in Basic Pharmacy Technician is a short term, part-time, stackable certificate, which serves as a direct CTE pathway for high school and adult students to pursue careers within the pharmacy profession. The academic curriculum, competency-based training, and transferrable skills development will result in skills and credentials necessary to secure living wage skilled positions in the pharmacy profession with the potential for promotion and opportunities for future educational advancement in pharmacy or any health care related career.

 

This is a low barrier, part-time CTE pathway program which empowers students to achieve their goals as members of the health care workforce beginning either in high school or as an adult. The “stackable” series of certificates provides equitable educational and career advancement opportunities to ensure all California student populations reach their full potential while earning a living wage that can eventually lead to a high wage position.

 

This lower unit offering increases access and provides flexibility for students with financial and schedule limitations. The part-time aspect of this program is advantageous for adult students who would like a career change and are unable to participate in the full-time, 6-month Accredited Entry or Advanced Level Pharmacy Technician Program.

 

Students will acquire, develop, and strengthen essential transferrable skills required for effective collaboration between all health care professionals and for their success in the health care field. This includes communication, teamwork, ethics, professionalism, stress and time management, decision-making, building resilience, identifying learning strategies, demonstrating effective study skills, and goal setting—all essential for productive work habits and attitudes relevant in health care careers.

 

Students will acquire knowledge and demonstrate competency in the following disciplines: basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmaceutical abbreviations, pharmaceutical preparations and medication names, pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical compounding, various drug formulations, complementary and alternative medicine, pharmaceutical calculations used in community practice, pharmacy law, HIPAA, pharmacology including diseases and medications used to treat conditions affecting body systems.

 

Students will complete 130 hours of clinical externship, demonstrating and practicing their knowledge and skills acquired in a didactic/simulation setting. Competency will be evaluated by a preceptor at the site. Students will participate in a comprehensive review of pharmacy technician technical and didactic competencies to prepare them for passing the national certification exams: either the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or the ExCPT Exam. Students will complete the California Pharmacy Technician State License Application and register for either national board examination.

 

Program Learning Outcomes:

·      Fundamental Knowledge, Critical Thinking and Student Attitude: Upon completion of the Basic Pharmacy Technician course work, students will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and values necessary to practice as a capable and competent Entry Level Pharmacy Technician in a community pharmacy setting and/or pursue other entry-level allied health professions.

·      Clinical Skills Competency: Upon completion of the Basic Pharmacy Technician course work, students will demonstrate competency with entry-level clinical skills required of an Entry Level Pharmacy Technician in accordance to California Board of Pharmacy and pharmacy industry standards.

 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
PHT101	Pharmacy Careers A	4	Y1Fall
PHT 102	Pharmacy Careers B	4	Y1 Winter
PHT 103	Pharmacy Careers C	4	Y1 Winter/ Spring
Pht 60	Retail Clinical	4	Y1 Spring
PHT 63	Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam	1	Y1 Spring
Restricted Electives (select 1)
AHS 50A	Introduction to Allied Health Programs	1.5	Y1Fall
AHS 51	Health Careers Exploration	1.5	Y1Fall

This new program increases access for both high school and adult students:  High school students simultaneously obtain high school elective units and a certificate upon completion. They can choose to either enter the pharmacy workforce as a Pharmacy Assistant (Aide/Clerk) or continue their education with 6 additional units of course work (including 130 hours of externship) to obtain the Certificate of Achievement in Basic Pharmacy Technician* (stackable certificate).  Adult students have access to a part-time program, which is advantageous for individuals who are unable to participate in the full-time Entry Level/Advanced Level Pharmacy Technician program. *students must be 18 years old and possess a high school diploma/GED or equivalent to complete externship and California Board of Pharmacy licensing requirements. All students who complete this program will be eligible to apply for a Pharmacy Technician license with the California Board of Pharmacy. After working for an additional 370 hours as a Pharmacy Technician, they qualify to take the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician. Students can continue on the pathway to complete Foothill College's Advanced Level Pharmacy Technician training program and take additional GE courses to obtain an Associate in Science Degree in Pharmacy Technology. Finally, if students wish to become a Pharmacist, they can take all required pharmacy school prerequisites offered at Foothill College without having to attend a 4-year college/university. There are no other programs at Foothill College with a pathway beginning in high school that provide students numerous career and education opportunities within the pharmacy/health care profession. The Complete Pharmacy Careers CTE Pathway: Pharmacy Assistant (Aide/Clerk)  Basic or Entry Level Pharmacy Technician  Certified Pharmacy Technician  Advanced Level Pharmacy Technician  AS Degree in Pharmacy Technology  PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy)

Foothill College is the only community college that offers a Pharmacy Technology program in our service area, Silicon Valley Sub-Region, issuing 33 awards on average annually (last 3 years) for the TOP Code of 1221.00 - Pharmacy Technology. However, there are two community colleges in the Bay Region issuing 73 awards on average annually (last 3 years ending 2018-19): San Francisco (Mid-Peninsula) and Santa Rosa (North Bay). Additionally, there are six other Educational Institutions in the Bay Region issuing 131 awards on average annually (last 3 years ending 2016-17), and one other Educational Institution issuing 16 awards on average annually (last 3 years). None of these other Educational Institutions are located in Foothill’s service area. Most importantly, there are no dual enrollment pathway programs within Foothill College’s service area that begin with the Pharmacy Assistant (Aide/Clerk) certificate and allow for students to attain a stackable part-time Basic Pharmacy Technician certificate. Note: Mission College offers a Pharmacy Technician training program through Adult Education.