An expansion of the patient care services that pharmacies offer has pharmacy technicians performing many of the traditional functions once performed by pharmacists. Pharmacy technician programs include educational and practical instruction to prepare graduates to assume a position that supports the modern-day goals of the pharmacy. By assuming a leading role in the pharmacy to ensure the smooth operation of day-to-day functions, pharmacy technicians give pharmacists the freedom to provide patient counsel. A pharmacy technician’s duties vary by setting and might include receiving prescription requests, preparing prescription medications, counting tablets, packaging and labeling bottles, mixing drug mixtures, updating patient profiles, answering phones, operating cash registers, and preparing insurance claims. The Washington Board of Pharmacy requires applicants for certification to present proof of passing a national certification exam to obtain a pharmacy technician credential.
Renton Technical College
The Pharmacy Technician program at Renton Technical College gives students valuable skills to work as an entry-level pharmacy technician. Students have the option to complete the certificate program or complete the additional general education requirements to earn an associate of applied science degree. The certificate program requires 77 credit hours and the AAS requires 97 credits. Students learn how to mix intravenous solutions, compound products, maintain records, and process orders. Areas of study pharmacy technician fundamentals and ethics, pharmacology, top 200 drugs, outpatient pharmacy preparations and record keeping, IV admixture advanced techniques, pharmacy law, medical terminology, anatomy, and chemistry for pharmacy. A clinical externship in retail and hospital pharmacies will give students an opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge in a real-world setting. Interested persons must be 18 years or older, take the Accuplacer test, have a high school diploma or equivalency (or be attending high school), and be fluent in English. All students must register with Castle Branch and complete a criminal background check, meet the program’s health requirements, maintain health insurance for injury and sickness, and complete a physician’s evaluation to confirm the student’s ability to perform the responsibilities of a pharmacy technician. Tuition for the program is $7,376. Books and supplies cost an additional $628.
- Website: https://rtc.edu/pharmacy-technician
- Address: 3000 NE 4th St., Renton, WA 98056
- Phone: (425) 235-2352
Charter College
Charter College prepares pharmacy technician students for entry-level employment as an assistant to a licensed pharmacist. The curriculum covers the fundamentals of pharmacy calculations, pharmacy law and ethics, drug distribution systems, sterile dosage forms, pharmacy operations, and customer service. In additional to didactic instruction in the classroom, students will receive hands-on experience to assume the role of a pharmacy technician in any pharmacy setting, including medical centers, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies. Applicants must complete the enrollment agreement and meet with an admissions representation. A high school diploma or GED is also required for admission. Tuition for the fast track program is $26,703.
- Website: http://www.chartercollege.edu/programs/healthcare/pharmacy-technician
- Address: 3700 Pacific Highway East, Suite 150, Fife, WA 98424
- Phone: 253-252-4200
Clover Park Technical College
Students who successfully complete the pharmacy technician program at Clover Park Technical College are trained in the duties and responsibilities of a pharmacy technician as outlined by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Students have the option to earn a certificate or AAT at the completion of the program. The curriculum combines classroom, laboratory and clinical experience to produce competent pharmacy technicians. In the classroom, students learn communication principles, customer service, aseptic techniques, processing prescriptions, human relations, and pharmacy calculations. Additional instruction in quantitative reasoning and social sciences support personal development and sets the foundation for the technical skills. The pharmacy externship offers opportunities to apply the knowledge and practical skills, learned on campus, in an institutional and community pharmacy. Students must be prepared to complete 32 hours of clinical experiences weekly from Tuesday through Friday. The certificate program requires completion of the 81 credits. The AAT program requires students to complete 96 credits. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalency, meet the prerequisite for college-level reading, math, and writing, and complete medical terminology. A comprehensive background check, current immunization or proof of immunity, current American Heart Association CPR for the Healthcare Professional, and personal health/medical insurance must be completed for participation in the clinical rotation. Tuition for the certificate program is approximately $5040 and does not include expenses for books and supplies.
- Website: http://www.cptc.edu/programs/pharm-tech
- Address: 4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood WA 98499-4004
- Phone: 253-589-5800
Edmonds Community College
The Pharmacy Technician program at Edmonds College provides students with the knowledge and skills to qualify for entry-level employment in mail-order, community, and institutional pharmacies. Graduates can take the national PTCB exam and apply for certification with the Washington State Board of Pharmacy. Students must complete a total of 39 credits – excluding prerequisites – to earn the Pharmacy Technician Certification. Course topics include orientation to pharmacy practice, pharmacy terminology, applied pharmacology, over the counter drugs, pharmacy calculations, prescription processing, pharmacy law and ethics, and hospital procedures. The requirements may be completed in three-quarters – two quarters of educational coursework and a final quarter of coursework and pharmacy practicum in a real-world pharmacy. Students must take the national certification test (PTCB or ExCPT) during the third quarter to qualify for certification from the Board. Interested persons must complete the prerequisite courses: The Human Body, CPR for Allied Health, Intro to Healthcare, Medical Terminology, and HIV/AIDS for Healthcare Professionals. Clinical Passport Requirements include immunization or waiver (Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, Tuberculin, Tdap, and Influenza), a National Criminal Background Check and Washington State Patrol Background Check, drug screen, personal health insurance, and professional liability insurance. Tuition for the program is $5,754, including prerequisite courses. Books, supplies and lab fees cost an additional $1,795.
- Website: http://www.edcc.edu/programs/ahe/pharmacytech/
- Address: 20000 68th Ave. W Lynnwood, WA 98036
- Phone: 425-640-1459