CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE in PHARMACY TECHNICIAN

This Certificate of Competence program prepares students with no background in the field for the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination. Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists in serving patients (receiving, processing, and filling prescriptions and medication orders; determine charges and obtain reimbursement, including insurance and Medicare payments), maintaining medication and inventory control systems, and participating in the administration and management of the pharmacy practice. The program consists of a series of four modules conducted in the evenings, and a clinical module with hours arranged.

The student must achieve a minimum grade of 75% in tests and other requirements in the courses Elements of Pharmacy Practice I, Elements of Pharmacy Practice II, Elements of Pharmacy Practice III, the Pharmacy Technician Practicum, and Elements of Pharmacy Practice V in order to earn this Certificate of Competence.

Prerequisites:

• U.S. high school graduate or GED;
• “C” grade or higher in ENGLISH 100 (Expository Writing) or higher, OR current COMPASS placement reading score of 74 or higher;
• “C” grade or higher in MATH 24 (Elementary Algebra I) or higher; OR current COMPASS placement math score of Math 25 or higher;
• Keyboarding skills with typing speed of at least 40 words per minute.

Technical Requirements:

• Auditory ability sufficient to hear and communicate with co-workers and patients and/or their representatives;
• Fine motor abilities sufficient to dispense exact amounts of fluids and for safe, effective handling of medications;
• Ability to perform multiple motor tasks simultaneously and manipulate/handle bulk quantities of supplies; and
• Ability to distinguish shades of color and viscosity.

Cost: The program consists of the following five modules, and is priced as follows:

Elements of Pharmacy Practice I $500
Elements of Pharmacy Practice II $400
Elements of Pharmacy Practice III $400
Pharmacy Technician Practicum $400
Elements of Pharmacy Practice V $400

The cost for the first module (Elements of Pharmacy Practice I) includes basic textbooks. You are not required to pay for the entire program all at once; however, you are required to pay for each module before it begins. Federal Stafford Loans will not cover these expenses; however, some community based employment and training programs as well as military educational benefits may be available to cover full or partial cost of tuition. Please contact those agencies for details.

Additional Cost: Liability insurance ($15) is required for all students before starting the practicum course. It is valid from September 1-August 31. Additional costs for supplementary texts, handouts, field trips, or other supplies may be incurred during the course of the program.

Refunds: Refunds are allowed if cancellation is made at least two business days prior to the start of the class. No refunds will be given without the two day notice.

Admission Procedures:

• Complete an application form, which can be obtained at Kauila 122.
• For verification of your eligibility, submit the following to Elaine Chang by appointment only (ph. 734-9138):
  • College transcripts or report cards noting completion of ENGLISH 100 and MATH 24 or its equivalence -or- current COMPASS placement scores of Reading 74 or higher and Math 25 or higher. COMPASS testing may be done on campus. Please call 734-9144 for details. College diploma showing degree completion is acceptable;
  • Completed application form.
• Submit your “approved” application form and full payment of the module(s) you wish to register for to the Non-Credit Registration Office at ‘Ilima 106. Students will be enrolled on a first-come-first-served basis. Textbooks will be issued at the first class meeting.

This module covers medications and therapeutic agents prescribed for all remaining body systems, repackaging for dispensing, quality assurance testing and reporting, compliance with legal and professional standards, drug administration functions under supervision, maintenance of information systems, communication with third-party payers, and staff training. Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of Elements of Pharmacy Practice III.

Instructor: Philip Tagariello, Pharm.D.