Program Description
The Pharmacy Technology Associate Degree Program prepares students for employment in pharmacy departments in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, commercial businesses, and other related facilities. The program develops students academically and professionally by focusing on knowledge base, technical skills, and workplace skills. As a program graduate, students will be eligible to sit for a national pharmacy technician certification exam.
The Pharmacy Technology Program conducted by Atlanta Technical College is accredited by the ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) and ACPE (Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education) upon recommendation of the ASHP and ACPE Board of Directors. More information on this accrediting body can be found at www.ashp.org.
The Pharmacy Technology Program is a PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)-recognized Education/Training Program and a PTCB-recognized training program for Certified Compounded Preparation Technician (CSPT) candidates.
2022 – 2023 Pharmacy Technology Program Outcomes
PTCE pass rates: The program will work to obtain an examination pass rate of at least 80 percent for all test-takers.
Program completion rates: Eighty percent of students who begin the program pathways will complete.
Job placement rates: Ninety percent of new graduates will be employed in the pharmacy profession within 8 months of completing a pharmacy program pathway.
Program Statistics
|
Year
|
PTCE Pass Rate
|
Program Completion Rate
|
Job Placement Rate
|
|
2022
|
25%
|
80%
|
100%
|
|
2023
|
57%
|
74%
|
100%
|
|
2024
|
67%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate the ability to accurately interpret the information on a prescription, request any missing information, and enter it into the computer system.
2. Demonstrate familiarity with brand and generic drug names, dosage forms(s), and route of administration for at least the top 200 drugs.
3. Demonstrate accuracy and timeliness in mathematical computation of ingredient amounts, doses, infusion rates, or any relevant calculation encountered in an outpatient and inpatient setting.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacy law and apply it to the prescription filling process.
5. Display a professional attitude about the practice of pharmacy and the ability to problem-solve.
6. Display acceptable communication skills during interactions with patients, coworkers and other health care professionals.
Programmatic Accreditation
The Pharmacy Technology Program conducted by Atlanta Technical College is accredited by the ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) and ACPE (Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education) upon recommendation of the ASHP and ACPE Board of Directors. More information on this accrediting body can be found at www.ashp.org.
The Pharmacy Technology Program is a PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)-recognized Education/Training Program and a PTCB-recognized training program for Certified Compounded Preparation Technician (CSPT) candidates.
Career Information
Occupation
Pharmacy Technicians
Employment Opportunities
The skill set provided by this program equips graduates to work in laboratories at research universities, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, government laboratories and agencies, and health insurance companies. Additionally, these same skills are advantageous to work for online/mail-order, compounding, retail, specialty, hospital, long-term care pharmacies; home infusion facilities; colleges; and public and private sectors as health care analysts.
NOTE: A felony conviction may limit employment opportunities.
Career Projections
The number of jobs in this field is expected to increase by 7.8% nationally and 4.3% in the State of Georgia over the next several years. Estimated salaries in this field start at $30,000 a year.
Salary Potential: $25,000-35,000
Labor market data was compiled using Economic Modeling Specialists, international and is updated annually.
Career Coach
Please select the following link to review additional career information on Career Coach.
Admission Requirements
General College Admissions Requirements
Program Specific Admissions Requirements
- Must be 17 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
- The Office of Enrollment Services will determine the transfer of pervious post-secondary credits
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.
Licensure/Certification: Upon completion of the Pharmacy Technology program, students may register to take a national pharmacy technician certification exam. In order to sit for the national certification exam, a candidate must have received a high school diploma or GED by the 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 per practicum experience. Students may not receive compensation from the sites for these hours. Student are evaluated by the practicum site preceptor, the program instructor, and by submission of weekly timesheets. The students are required to adhere to his/her practicum schedule at all times and complete a total of 450 hours to meet graduation requirements. All students must be aware that traveling may be required for practicum rotations.
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 due to 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 H149D
404-225-4559
adaniels@atlantatech.edu
Program Length and Cost
Minimum Program Length in Semester Terms: 6 terms
Credit Hours: 65
Estimated Program Cost: $11,192
Program Additional Fees (Cost are estimated and are subject to change):
- Books & Supplies: $2,000.00
- CPR Card: BLS for Healthcare Providers through AHA or ALHS 1040
- Liability Insurance: $11.00 per year
- Uniform: $100.00 (varies by size)
- Pharmacy Technician Registration/Fingerprint: $137.00
- Immunization Records: Based on Healthcare Provider Source
- Criminal Background Check/10 Panel Drug Test: $78.50
- ACEMAPP $50
- Certification Exam: $129.00
Required Courses
General Education Courses (15 Credits)
Area I – Language Arts/Communication- (3 Credits)
Area II – Social/Behavioral Science
Area III – Natural Sciences/Mathematics – (3 Credits)
| Select one of the following Math Courses | |
| MATH 1100 | Quantitative Skills and Reasoning | 3 |
| Or | |
| MATH 1101 | Mathematical Modeling | 3 |
| Or | |
| MATH 1103 | Quantitative Skills and Reasoning | 3 |
| Or | |
| MATH 1111 | College Algebra | 3 |
Area IV – Humanities/Fine Arts – (3 Credits)
Select an Area IV Humanities/Fine Arts course:
General Education Courses - Associate Degree
XXXX xxxx
| Humanities-Fine Arts Elective | 3 |
Program Specific General Education Elective - (3 Credits)
Select a General Education Course that has not already been used to meet a requirement (3 credits)
General Education Courses - Associate Degree
Non General Education Degree Courses (8 Credits)
Occupational Courses (32 Credits)
Pharmacy Practicum (10 Credits)
Total Credit Hours: 65
Program Outcomes
1. Graduates will assist in the prevention of medication errors.
2. Graduates will use computer technology to process prescriptions/medication orders.
3.Graduates will calculate dosages for medication accurately while applying critical thinking skills in patient care scenarios.
4. Graduates will collect, organize, and evaluate information required for direct patient care and medication management.
5. Graduates will identify the drug classifications of various disease systems.
6. Graduates will compound medications for oral and parenteral use under Pharmacist supervision.
7. Graduates will obtain the knowledge required to pass the National Pharmacy Technician Certification exam upon graduation.