Pharmacy Technician, Certificate of Completion
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.
Please Note - this certificate is only offered on Even years. It is not offered each year but rather every other years. Please plan to complete the certificate in a year.
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 at 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.
Math and writing placement are unique to each student and are determined during the admissions and intake advising process. Additional math or writing courses may be required prior to taking the math or writing program requirements in this degree.
Program Guide
| Fall | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| PHAR100 | Intro to Pharmacy: Practice and Law | 4 |
| AH111 | Medical Terminology I | 3 |
| AH121 | Body Structures and Functions I | 3 |
| MTH60 | Algebra I 1 | 4 |
| WR121Z | Composition I | 4 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Winter | ||
| PHAR105 | Pharmacology I | 3 |
| PHAR115 | Pharmacy Calculations | 2 |
| PHAR200 | Pharmacy Technician Procedures I | 4 |
| AH112 | Medical Terminology II | 3 |
| AH122 | Body Structures and Functions II | 3 |
| BA285 | Human Relations in Organizations | 3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM100Z | Introduction to Communication | 4 |
| PHAR110 | Pharmacology II | 3 |
| PHAR205 | Pharmacy Technician Procedures II | 4 |
| PHAR210 | Pharmacy Records Management | 3 |
| PHAR280 | CWE: Pharmacy 3 | 3 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Total Credits | 53 | |
- 1
MTH65, MTH82, MTH95, or higher, excluding MTH211, may be substituted for MTH60.
- 2
SP111 or COMM111Z, SP218 or COMM218Z, SP219 or COMM219 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.