Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technician

A.A.S Degree
Credits Required for Graduation: 63

Pharmacy Technician

Diploma
Credits Required for Graduation: 34

Program Description

The Pharmacy Technician AAS degree program provides graduates with opportunities in the field of pharmacy and provides the students with a general education component for a well-rounded education.  The AAS degree also provides pharmacy practice applications in institutional settings and sterile product processing.  The AAS degree program places an emphasis on pharmacy settings including retail, hospital, and industry.  Pharmacy Technician students with the AAS degree will find opportunities for advancement in the field of pharmacy including areas of supervision and/or management.

The Pharmacy Technician Diploma program is designed to prepare the student for entry level positions in careers working side by side with pharmacists and allied health professionals.  The Diploma program prepares students to complete routine technical and clerical functions within community pharmacy along with a fundamental understanding of federal and state laws.

Pharmacy Technician as a career path:  A pharmacy technician is someone who assists a pharmacist in all functions of prescription processing.  A pharmacy technician should have knowledge in the skills required to provide medications to patients, including ordering, stocking, and packaging.  Pharmacy technicians work under the direct supervision of a pharmacist.  A pharmacy technician's job can be varied to include working in community or hospital pharmacy or a number of other settings such as long-term care, compounding, drug manufacturers and wholesalers, and pharmacy technician training programs.

A pharmacy technician student will be registered with the MN Board of Pharmacy prior to the beginning of the experiential program.  Additional regulations may be found on the MN Board of Pharmacy website.

Students completing the program will be eligible to complete the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination.  For more information on this exam, visit the website at www.ptcb.org

Employment Opportunities

The field has great job opportunities for full-time and part-time work especially for technicians with formal training.  Employment is expected to grow through 2014 as the population grows and ages.  A pharmacy technician can expect to earn $8/hr up to $15-$20+/hr based on FTE status, work setting, education and/or experience.  A certified technician can also expect to earn more than a technician who is not certified.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean hourly wage is $13.70/hr.

Gainful employment programs are those “that prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.” Public institutions are required to report this information for all undergraduate and graduate programs that are Title IV eligible and that lead to certificates, diplomas, graduate certificates or specialist awards. Reporting is not required for undergraduate certificates and diplomas less than 16 credits and graduate certificates and specialist awards that are less than 8 credits. Degree programs at all levels are not considered to be gainful employment programs.

Gainful Employment Report for Pharmacy Technician (Diploma) 

Course Descriptions

Pharmacy Technician A.A.S. Degree Program Plan

Pharmacy Technician Diploma Program Plan

Faculty