Program Description
The Pharmacy Technology Diploma is designed to enable the student to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes for employment within a pharmacy. Program graduates will be able to perform a variety of technical duties related to preparing and dispensing drugs in accordance with standard procedures and laws under the supervision of licensed pharmacist. A variety of clinical experiences is designed to integrate theory and practice. Graduates will be employable as an entry-level pharmacy technician. 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.
Career Information
Occupation
Pharmacy Technicians
Employment Opportunities
The skill set provided by this program is required to work in laboratories at research universities, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, many major research hospitals and government laboratories and agencies. Additionally, these same skills are required to work at food production companies and bio manufacturing facilities that produce pharmaceuticals and vaccines for both humans and animals. Designing new medications and medical devices, improving the environment, enhancing food yield and quality as these are samples of the work that bio scientists perform.
Career Projections
The number of jobs in this field is expected to increase by 13% nationally and 9% in the State of Georgia over the next several years. Estimated salaries in this field start at $30,000 a year.
Labor market data was compiled using Economic Modeling Specialists, international and is updated annually.
Salary Potential: $21,370-$45,710
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Admission Requirements
General College Admissions Requirements
Program Specific 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:
- CPR Certification
- Hepatitis B Vaccine
- Drug Screening
- Criminal Background Check
- Registration with the State of Georgia as Pharmacy Technician
- Physical, and lab work including TB testing and immunizations
Blood and Airborne Pathogens
Students enrolled in Category I and II programs at Atlanta Technical College will be performing tasks in which there is a normal occurrence for exposure to blood, other potentially infectious body materials, and airborne pathogens.
These tasks will be performed in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical activities for each occupational training program/course. Students will be required to present documentation of Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis immunizations as a result of potential occupational exposure. Students should contact their program directors for more information. Policies and procedures regarding blood and airborne pathogens may be reviewed at https://tcsg.edu/tcsgpolicy/tcsg_policy_manual.pdf.
Program Contact Information
Amanda Daniels
Program Coordinator, Pharmacy Technology Department
Brenda Watts Jones Allied Health Building H149F
404-225-4559
adaniels@atlantatech.edu
Program Length and Cost
Minimum Program Length in Semester Terms: 5 terms
Credit Hours: 65
Estimated Program Cost: $9,743
Program Additional Fees (Cost are estimated and are subject to change):
- Books & Supplies: $2,000.00
- CPR Card $9.00
- Liability Insurance: $11.00 per year
- Uniform: $100.00
- Certification Exam: $129.00
- Physical Exam: $150.00
- TB Test: $40.00
- 10 Panel Drug Test: $50.00
- Criminal Background Check: $50.00
- Pharmacy Technician Registration/Fingerprint: $136.25
- ACEMAPPL $50
- Immunization Records: Based on Healthcare Provider Source
Course Outline
General Education Courses (9 Credits)- Take each of the following
Occupational Courses (47 Credits)
Total Credit Hours: 56
Program Outcomes
1. Graduates will obtain the knowledge required to pass the National Pharmacy Technician Certification exam upon graduation.
2. Graduates will calculate dosages for medication accurately while applying critical thinking skills in patient care scenarios.
3. Graduates will collect, organize, and evaluate information required for direct patient care and medication management.
4. Graduates will identify the drug classifications commonly used to treat diseases of the cardiovascular system.
5. Graduates will compound medications for oral and external use, under Pharmacist supervision.
6. Graduates will assist in the prevention of medication errors.