Pharmacy Technician Certificate of Achievement

Students may obtain the Certificate of Achievement in Pharmacy Technician by successfully completing the two semester program. The Pharmacy Technician Program starts in the Fall Semester each year. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to work under the direct supervision of a pharmacist in hospitals, retail pharmacies and other institutional settings.

The enrollment for the 2019-20 cohort was 28 students.  The faculty and program coordinator helped market the program to encourage student enrollment.  We have an employment specialist funded by Strong Workforce helping to increase enrollment in our health care programs.  She worked with the Pharmacy Technician faculty to provide information to the public and market the program.  They increase enrollment by 10 students this year.

 

The goals of the program are:

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Perform the administrative and clinical skills necessary for entry-level employment as a pharmacy technician in a hospital, retail pharmacy, or other institutional setting.
• Provide professional customer service to patients and clients in a pharmacy setting.
• Apply for a license as a Pharmacy Technician to the California State Board of Pharmacy.
• Apply to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board National examination.

The Pharmacy Technician Program admits applicants to a one-year cohort every fall.  They enroll approximately 30 students, although the 2018 cohort was low at 18 students.  Students must complete Math 40 or higher and complete English 88, ESL 188 or be eligible for College level English to apply.  Applicants must complete a Math test to be eligible for the Pharmacy Technician Program.

Courses Required for the Certificate of Achievement in Pharmacy Technician

Course	Units
First Semester:
PHTC 101 - Pharmacy Technician I - Theory*	9.00
PHTC 102 - Pharmacy Technician I - Clinical*	7.00
* Both theory and clinical courses must be taken in the same semester.
Total:	16.00
Second Semester:
PHTC 103 - Pharmacy Technician II - Theory*	9.00
PHTC 104 - Pharmacy Technician II - Clinical*	5.00
* Both theory and clinical courses must be taken in the same semester.
Total:	14.00
Total:	30.00

 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
PHTC 101	Pharmacy Technician I - Theory	9	S1
PHTC 102	Pharmacy Technician I - Clinical	7	S1
PHTC 103	Pharmacy Technician II - Theory	9	S2
PHTC 104	Pharmacy Technician II - Clinical	5	S2

The CCSF Pharmacy Technician program has a great reputation in the Bay Area. Graduates pass the State Board Licensing exam and find employment after graduation. Some continue their education to a PharmD. Considering all the programs in the Bay Area, accreditation may be an enhancement for the CCSF Pharmacy Technician Program.

There are several Pharmacy Technician program in the Bay Area and online. For colleges, there is Cal State East bay, San Francisco State University School of Extended Education, Foothill College, Mission College, Contra Costa Medical Career College to name a few. Private schools include Bay Area Medical Academy, Carrington College, Penn Foster Education, and many online options.