Pharmacy Technician

The Pharmacy Technology Program admit a limited number of students every year. To be eligible for admission to the program, the following must be completed: 1. High school graduation, high school equivalency or higher degree. 2. Successful completion of (PHYSIOL 6) Anatomy & Physiology with a “C” grade or higher and within the past seven years of applying to the program. 3. Evidence of required immunizations and/or immunity to include; Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis and Varicella. Please refer to the Immunization Record and Statement of Health form on the program website for complete information. To apply to the program submit: 1. A Pharmacy Technology Program application available on the program website. 2. Official transcript for the required prerequisites with a “C” grade or higher. 3. Documented proof of the required immunizations and/or tests listed above. Immunizations must be complete in order to submit an application. Upon acceptance to the program the student must submit the following: a. A two-step Mantoux Tuberculin test (Tuberculosis). b. A satisfactory physical examination. c. A completed background check and drug screen through CastleBranch. d. Evidence of malpractice insurance. e. Proof of application to East Los Angeles College. f. Official transcripts of all college credits earned must be submitted to the East Los Angeles College Admissions and Records office when accepted into the Pharmacy Technology Program, if not previously submitted. IMPORTANT: Students currently on probation will not be eligible to apply to the Pharmacy Technology Program. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your situation, please contact the Allied Health Department for advisement. Students accepted to the Pharmacy Technology Program are required to undergo a background check and urine drug screening test before starting the program and being placed at any clinical site. There is a minimum cost for these procedures that the student is responsible for. Failure to pass either or both of these procedures may interfere with clinical placement and/or acceptance to the program. Applicants with prior convictions are required to contact the Department Chair of Allied Health for confidential advisement and planning prior to applying to the East Los Angeles College Pharmacy Technology Program. Any prior conviction of a misdemeanor or felony may also influence eligibility to test for the Pharmacy Technology certification. LENGTH AND KIND OF PROGRAM The Pharmacy Technology Program is a one year program after being accepted into the program. Upon successfully completion of the Pharmacy Technician Program at East Los Angeles College, to become licensed, students are required to satisfactorily pass examination under the California State Board of Pharmacy (CSPB), becoming Licensed/Registered Pharmacy Technician. GENERAL EDUCATION ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT: Students must meet with a regular ELAC academic advisor to review their preparation for meeting ELAC’s Certificate of Achievement requirements and Associate of Science Degree requirements. TRANSFER STUDENTS: If any or all of the prerequisite courses or their equivalents have been taken elsewhere, transcripts should be sent to both the ELAC office of Admissions and the Allied Health Department. Students should initiate a “General Petition” in the Admissions Office requesting that credit be granted for those courses which the student feels they are eligible. Supporting documentation should be attached to the General Petition to support the student’s request. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE REVIEWED: All eligible applicants will be selected by lottery and their names will be placed on a list according to their lottery number. The Pharmacy Technology Program will inform applicants of the results by e-mail approximately two (2) weeks after the application deadline.

The Pharmacy Technology Program will be set up as a cohort program. The program will accept a maximum of 35 students each academic year. The program expects 80% or more students to earn the certificate of achievement or Associate of Science Degree annually.

PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY The Pharmacy Technology program prepares the student to become a pharmacy technician. These allied health professionals are employed in a variety of pharmacy practice settings. Supervised by a registered pharmacist, they perform a variety of technical duties related to preparing and dispensing drugs in accordance with standard procedures and laws. Pharmacy technicians are trained to interpret physicians' medication orders, fill orders to be checked by pharmacists, and deliver the orders. They prepare admixtures of intravenous solutions, replenish drugs, maintain patient profile records, prepare bulk formulations, assist with over-the-counter drugs and health aids, and perform clerical duties, including processing insurance forms required by third-party payers. Pharmacy technicians are vital assets to pharmacists because their training allows them to perform technical pharmaceutical procedures, thus enabling pharmacists to devote additional time to their professional tasks. At East Los Angeles College, the Pharmacy Technology student receives training in medication dispensing procedures. Additional study includes pharmacology, pharmaceutical math, microcomputers, and pathophysiology. The student practices procedural skills in a simulated pharmacy technology laboratory. Pharmacy Technology graduates are prepared to meet this need, and job opportunities for these graduates remain excellent. In addition to employment in hospitals, graduates may also be employed by nursing homes, retail drug stores, drug manufacturers, research laboratories, wholesale drug companies, and home health care agencies. MISSION: It is the mission of the Pharmacy Technology Program to provide quality education and fulfilling career opportunities in pharmacy Technology; by offering academic courses, Laboratory experiences and professional Clinical skills that will lead to national certification, employability and ethical work practice. VISION STATEMENT: Pharmacy Technology Program is committed to provide the community with qualified, educated, trained, certified, registered and employable pharmacy technicians. We are aware that world of pharmacy is ever changing and the need for qualified Pharmacy Technicians is essential, therefore, this discipline will continually evaluate its effectiveness to the individual student and the community as a whole. Pharmacy Technology program is also dedicated to enhance educational and personal and economic growth of graduates by providing quality education and training to assist them in gaining an understanding of the world and in defining their personal goals in that world. PHILOSOPHY: The Pharmacy Technology Program meets community’s needs by providing opportunities for individuals to obtain a degree in Pharmacy Technology and become nationally certified. Based on this philosophy, the Pharmacy Technology Program improves health care through effective instructional methodologies, equipment, and continuing education. The Pharmacy Technology Program is dedicated to provide students with didactic course as well as clinical opportunities for success. The program will prepare students through activities and trainings that will enrich their lives and contribute to the student's sense of well-being. The Pharmacy Technology Program recognizes that students are individuals and come from a variety of backgrounds. We accept the challenges to individualize the education offered so all students are able to benefit from the experience. GOALS: 1. To provide quality education that is necessary for a student to become qualified to practice in the field of pharmacy as Certified Pharmacy Technicians. 2. To employ updated equipment and software that corresponds to standard of excellence in didactic and laboratory courses. 3. To provide effective, innovative and alternative instructional methodologies to implement quality education. 4. To meet and exceed accreditation standards set by ASHP. 5. To enhance student enrollment and retention rate of Pharmacy Technology Program. 6. To conform to ethical and professional standards.

Program Pre-requisites Math 125 Intermediate Algebra 5 CAOT 82 Microcomputer Software Survey in the Office 3 PHYSIO 6 Physiology 6 6 CHEM 051 Fundamentals of Chemistry 5 HTHTEK 133 Medical Terminology 3 American Institutions 3 Social & Behavior Studies 3 Health 011 Principles of Healthful Living 3 Physical Activity 1 English 101 English Composition 3 Humanities 3 Subtotal 38 Program Core Courses 1st Semester Fall/Spring 16 weeks PHRMCTK 21 Retail Products for Pharmacy Clerks 3 PHRMCTK 23 Introduction to Pharmacy 2 First 8 Weeks ADL HTH 56 Communication and Customer Service in Healthcare 1 ALD HTH 57 Computers in Health Occupations 1 PHRMCTK 29 Body Systems I 3 PHRMCTK 31 Pharmacy Calculations 2 Second 8 Weeks PHRMCTK 30 Body Systems II 3 PHRMCTK 35 Inpatient Pharmacy Services 2 Subtotal 17 Winter/Summer PHRMCTK 32 Pharmacy Operations 4.75 2nd Semester Fall/Spring First 8 Weeks PHRMCTK 34 Community Pharmacy Externship 2.25 PHRMCTK 37 Sterile Products 4.75 Second 8 Weeks PHRMCTK 36 In-patient Pharmacy Services Externship 2.25 PHRMCTK 38 Sterile Products Externship 2.25 Subtotal 11.5 Total Units 71.25 PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM ADVISEMENT: Once a student is formally admitted to the program, they will be assigned an Pharmacy Technology advisor. This advisor will work with the student to establish their written “Pharmacy Technology Education Plan”. This plan, once established, must be followed by the student; any changes made without the prior written approval of the student’s Pharmacy Technology Faculty advisor, will result in the student being placed on Program probation and at risk for program dismissal. The following are additional criteria for entry into the Pharmacy Technology program: BACKGROUND CHECK: Background checks must be done and successfully completed by all students accepted into the clinical phase of the Program. If the background check is unsuccessful, the student will not be admitted to the clinical component. A 10-panel Drug screen will also be required for entry into clinical training. HEALTH: The student must be free from any condition that would present a health threat to the well-being of the consumer (Title 22, College Regulations, Division 5, Section (a). A complete physical examination, including laboratory test with select immunizations, will be required upon entry into clinical classes. MALPRACTICE INSURANCE: Malpractice insurance is required for the clinical year of the Pharmacy Technology program and must be purchased PRIOR to the start of the semester of the clinical semester. Special Notes: 1. Pharmacy Technology students are accepted into the program every Fall. 2. Students transferring from another Pharmacy Technology program will be evaluated by the Program for Pharmacy Technology course transfer credit. A general petition form must be completed and submitted to the Admissions office with syllabi and college catalog course descriptions of the courses. In addition, all transfers must submit a letter from their former Pharmacy Technology program director stating they are clinically safe. 3. Course Recency Requirement: Students must have received a grade of “C” or better in all Science courses within seven (7) years prior to their admission to the Pharmacy Technology program. 4. Supplies, Health and Miscellaneous Requirements: All accepted students must expect to complete a criminal background check before entry will be permitted into a clinical rotation. Students are also required to purchase lab coats (optional), scrubs and other materials for their classroom and clinical training.

Allied Health Department

Cerritos, West LA, and Santa Ana

35 students each year