2019-2020 College Catalog

Pharmacy Technology AAS

Program Description (Major Code: PT23)

The Pharmacy Technology Associate Degree Program prepares you for employment in pharmacy departments in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, commercial businesses, and other related facilities. The program develops you academically and professionally with a focus on knowledge base, technical skills, and work ethics. As a program graduate, you will be eligible to sit for a national certification exam for pharmacy technologists. The Pharmacy Technology program at Atlanta Technical College is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

The Pharmacy Technology Program conducted by Atlanta Technical College is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Admissions Requirements

  • Must be 18 years of age
  • Cannot be convicted of a felony that occurred within the last ten 10 years, and/or any conviction that was drug or pharmacy related
  • Completion of high school diploma or GED and submission of official transcript required to apply
  • Achievement of minimum program admission scores in Reading, English, and Math
  • Transfer of previous post-secondary credits will be determined by the Office of Enrollment Services

Student Performance/Graduation Requirements:

  • Students must maintain a 2.0 grade point average and complete all required courses to graduate.
  • Must complete MATH 1111 with a minimum letter grade of B within 2 attempts.
  • Must complete PHAR 1000 with a minimum letter grade of B within 2 attempts.

Employment Opportunities: Graduates of the Pharmacy Technology program are prepared for employment in hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, home infusion pharmacies, institutional pharmacies, military base pharmacies, major drug companies and other healthcare facilities requiring professional qualified personnel. NOTE: A felony conviction may limit employment opportunities.

Licensure/Certification: Upon completion of the Pharmacy Technology program, students may register to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE). In order to sit for the PTCE, a candidate must have received a high school diploma or GED by application receipt deadline for the exam and have never been convicted of a felony.

Practicum Education: Pharmacy Technology students will be required to complete practicum assignments, which will be given by the instructor at the beginning of the semester. Requirements for practicum courses include a minimum of 20 hours a week in a supervised setting, for a total of 225 hours. Students may not receive pay from the sites for these hours. Student evaluations are completed by the practicum site preceptor and the program instructor, as well as weekly time sheets. The student is required to adhere to his/her practicum schedule at all times and a total of 450 hours is required to graduate. All students must know that traveling may be required for practicum rotations.

Special Requirements of the Practicum Sites:

  1. CPR Certification
  2. Hepatitis B Vaccine
  3. Drug Screening
  4. Criminal Background Check
  5. Registration with the State of Georgia as Pharmacy Technician
  6. Physical, and lab work including TB testing and immunizations