Pharmacy Technician Certificate

QCC students measure liquids in a beaker

Program Code:

Degree:

Certificate

This program may be completed at QCC at the Healthcare and Workforce Development Center in downtown Worcester.
This program will require students to travel to clinical sites within the Worcester County area.
This program may be completed 50% or more online.

Program Contact Email:

pcreelman@qcc.mass.edu

Additional Information

Goals

Program Goals:

The Pharmacy Technician Certificate provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to prepare for a career as a certified pharmacy technician. The program will prepare the graduate to assume an entry-level pharmacy technician position in a variety of contemporary settings, including, but not limited to, community, hospital, home care and long-term care settings. Students learn various duties a technician may perform, as well as communication skills and aspects of assisting the pharmacist. Students will also perform 135 hours of internship at a local pharmacy to get practical instruction in this field.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

Gain knowledge regarding the laws of pharmacy practice.
Learn drug names and classification, compounding, calculations, abbreviations and dosage forms.
Perform various pharmacy technician duties.
Refine communication and interview skills.
Assist the pharmacist as directed.

Classes

Curriculum:

Course Title	Course #	Semester Offered	Credits	Prerequisites
Semester 1 Apply and get accepted to this program (Program Code: PT), in order to take ALH 137. Register for and successfully complete all courses to graduate in two semesters. Meet with a QCC Career Services Representative and attend Workshops. See www.QCC.edu/career-services. Complete BIO 100.
Introduction to Medical Terminology	ALH 102	F/S/SU	3	ENG 091 with a grade of "C" or higher, ENG 096 with a grade of "C" or higher; or approp place score
Pharmacy Technician	ALH 137	F	3	ENG 091 with a grade of "C" or higher, ENG 096 with a grade of "C" or higher; or approp place score, MAT 090 with a grade of "C" or higher; or approp place score
Principles of Human Biology	BIO 100	F/S/SU	4	ENG 091 with a grade of "C" or higher, ENG 096 with a grade of "C" or higher; or approp place score
First Year Experience	FYE 101	F/S/SU	3
		Total	13
Semester 2 Meet with a Career Services Representative for Job Search Assistance services. Submit an Intent to Graduate Form, located on The Q.
Pharmacy Technician Clinical Co-Operative Externship	ALH 138	S	6	ALH 137
Introduction to Microcomputer Applications	CIS 111	F/S/SU	3
Introduction to Psychology	PSY 101	F/S/SU	3	ENG 091 with a grade of "C" or higher, ENG 096 with a grade of "C" or higher; or approp place score
		Total	12
Total Credits Required:			25

Elective Information

Cost & Requirements

Admissions Requirements:

Students should note that some first semester courses carry minimum prerequisites. Refer to the program grid.

High School Diploma or GED/HiSET.

Admissions Process:

Admissions inquiries should be directed to admissions [at] qcc.mass.edu. Prospective students may apply to the program of their choice by following the enrollment steps at www.QCC.edu/enrollment-steps.

Technical Performance Standards:

See the Technical Performance Standards page. (Note: Not all programs have technical performance standards).

Credit for Prior Learning:

Students enrolled in this program may be able to earn academic credit for prior learning. Please contact Career Services & Credit for Prior Learning (Room 272A) at careerservices [at] qcc.mass.edu or 508.854.4439.

CORI, SORI, Finger Printing & Drug Testing:

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI), Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI), and National Background checks are required in the program, either annually or every semester. Finger printing and drug testing may be required. Finger printing and drug testing results must meet clinical requirements. An issue with CORI/SORI, National Background, finger printing and/or drug testing could prevent a student from participating in a clinical/field rotation, which could result in dismissal from the program.

Additional Cost:

See the Program Fees page.

Students should anticipate additional expenses for clinical uniforms, professional liability insurance, clinical parking fees, and materials required in the program.

Additional Information:

Students accepted into the Pharmacy Technician Certificate must:
- Provide documentation of immunization currency and satisfactory health status and must submit evidence of a positive Hepatitis B antibody titer prior to beginning the clinical externship; this is a six month process. Students are required to meet the health requirements as identified on the QCC Health Form; these documents must be submitted by December 15, prior to entering ALH 138 in the Spring semester. Students who have not been cleared by the Health Compliance Officer will not be able to participate in the clinical externship, and may necessitate withdrawal or course failure.
- Take the Accuplacer Placement Test to determine mathematics and English levels, if no college level courses were previously completed.
This is a great opportunity for students to gain entry-level employment in the healthcare field prior to matriculating into a selective program.
Students will increase their chances of obtaining employment by completing both the theoretical course (ALH 137) and the clinical externship (ALH 138).
If students complete the Health Certificate, maintain a GPA of 3.00, meet the admissions requirements of the selected Healthcare program, and receive a letter from Admissions that they have been placed on a waitlist for the specific Healthcare program, then they will be considered for earlier admission to the requested Healthcare program based on space availability.
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates may seek licensure with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy by:
- Completing a National Certification (ExCPT or PTCB),
- Obtaining a passing score (75) on a Board-approved pharmacy technician assessment examination after having successfully completed one of the following:
  - A Board-approved pharmacy technician training program; or
  - A minimum of 500 hours of employment as a pharmacy technician trainee.
Upon passing the National exam (ExCPT or PTCB), graduates are required to apply for state licensure.

Career

Career Outlook:

Please consult the Massachusetts Career Information System at https://masscis.intocareers.org/ or the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/ooh/ for specific occupational information. The CIP code for this program is 51.0805.

Gainful Employment:

See the Gainful Employment Section for more information.

Transfer Articulations & Opportunities:

Prospective students may learn more about transfer articulation agreements at www.QCC.edu/agreements. More information regarding transfer opportunities is available at www.QCC.edu/transfer.

Apply for Admission Request Information

Contact QCC Admissions at 508.854.4262 for more information.

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