The Certificate of Completion Pharmacy Technician program prepares individuals for employment in hospital and retail pharmacies. Pharmacy Technician is a category of support personnel and denotes a skilled worker who has been trained to assist the pharmacist in preparing and dispensing medications. This category of support personnel is spelled out in Oregon Administrative Rules 855-41-205 under the auspices of the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy.

Entry Requirements

Students are required to complete the College's placement process to determine skill level and readiness in math and writing. As part of their training program, students must begin with the courses within their skill level as determined by the placement process. 

Due to the nature of this curriculum and the access to drugs, all students will have to declare themselves “drug free” and be subject to a criminal background check. Any student who is unable, for any reason, to complete the practicum parts of this curriculum will not be able to continue in the program. Drug testing will be done prior to clinical practicum. Graduates may choose to take a national certification examination at the successful conclusion of the program.

For more information contact the administrative assistant, Sumner Hall, Rm 4 541-888-7443.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 52 credit hours with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better. One course must be completed at Southwestern before the Certificate of Completion Pharmacy Technician is awarded.

Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• Function as a professional in a pharmacy environment either in a hospital or retail setting.
• Assist the pharmacist in the preparation and dispensing of medications.
• Be aware of the duties and limitations of a pharmacy technician as per Oregon Administrative Rules 855-41-205.

Pre-Program Courses

Students are required to take the following courses prior to the program courses, depending on students' college placement information. See advisor for details:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CIS90	Computer Basics (or demonstrate proficiency)	2
MTH20	Basic Mathematics (or placement in higher math course)	4
WR90R	Academic Literacy (or placement in higher writing course)	4

Program Guide

Plan of Study Grid

Fall		Credits
AH111	Medical Terminology I	3
AH121	Body Structures and Functions I	3
MTH60	Algebra I 1	4
PHAR5470	Introduction to Pharmacy: Practice And Law	4
WR121	English Composition	4
	Credits	18
Winter
AH112	Medical Terminology II	3
AH122	Body Structures and Functions II	3
BA285	Human Relations in Organizations	3
PHAR5472	Pharmacology I	3
PHAR5474	Pharmacy Calculations	2
PHAR5475	Pharmacy Technician Procedures I	4
	Credits	18
Spring
PHAR280	CWE: Pharmacy 3	3
PHAR5473	Pharmacology II	3
PHAR5476	Pharmacy Technician Procedures II	4
PHAR5477	Pharmacy Records Management	3
SP100	Basic Speech Communications 2	3
	Credits	16
	Total Credits	52

1	MTH65, MTH82, MTH95, or higher, excluding MTH211, may be substituted for MTH60.
2	SP111, SP218, SP219 will satisfy this requirement.
3	Call 541-888-7405 to schedule with Internship Coordinator three months prior to term. The student will need to receive their Temporary License from the Oregon Board of Pharmacy (https://www.oregon.gov/pharmacy/pages/licensing.aspx) before registering for the internship.
*	All Honors courses may substitute for their equivalent requirements.