PHARMACY TECHNICIAN PROGRAMS Curriculum guide Updated 7/27/15

Updated 7/27/15

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The Pharmacy Technician Program consist of a Diploma, as well as two embedded certificates. They are designed to prepare the student for a career in community, hospital or other pharmacy environments, working under the supervision of a registered pharmacist (RPh). The courses will prepare the student to take the national Pharmacy Certification Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Further information about the exam may be found at

www.ptcb.org. Once the exam is taken and passed, the student will be allowed to use the designation CPhT (Certified Pharmacy Technician). The programs are offered at Jefferson Community and Technical College, Downtown Campus, Health Sciences Building, classroom 351A.

II. Contact Information: Because faculty spend the majority of their time teaching, the preferred method of contact is via email. Part of the selective admissions process is for interested students to meet with Pharmacy Technician faculty, so it is STRONGLY urged you contact the Program Coordinator (Angie Minnis) for your advising needs.

Academic Program Coordinator: Angie Minnis, [email protected] ; 502-213-4008 Allied Health Secretary: Mary Warford, [email protected] ; 502-213-4296

Program Web Site:

http://www.jefferson.kctcs.edu/Academics/Programs_of_Study/Pharmacy_Technician.aspx

College Web Site: www.jefferson.kctcs.edu

Mailing Address:

Pharmacy Technology Program/Allied Health Division Jefferson Community and Technical College

109 E. Broadway Louisville, KY 40202

III. Admission Policies and Procedures: A. College Admission

The student must first apply to the college. This can be done on-line or in-person on the first floor of the Jefferson Educational Center.

Admission to the College does not imply admission to the Pharmacy Technology Program. An Admissions Application may be found on the college website.

B. Program admission

All Jefferson Community and Technical College admission requirements must be met prior to enrolling in the pharmacy technician program. The following Compass Scores are required:

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Domain College requirements, Compass

Program requirements, Compass

ACT equivalents English/Writing 74-100 no transitional

courses required

70 18

Reading 85-100 no transitional courses required

70 20

Algebra 13-30 MAT 65 required 25 19

Pre-algebra 42-99 MAT 55 and/or 65 required

41 19

Please note that the program’s requirements are in some cases lower than college requirements. In certain cases, certificate students do not have to meet all the college’s general requirements. Please see an advisor if there are any questions. If these scores are not achieved, developmental math/English courses will be required as per the college’s standards. If you do not meet these requirements, please see an advisor to enroll in the appropriate developmental courses and complete them with a “C” or better BEFORE contacting the Pharmacy Tech faculty.

You are highly encouraged to take any and all non-core classes that you will need to meet your certificate or diploma requirements prior to filling out a pharmacy technology program application. Students who have academic records that are more complete will be better prepared for the program and more likely to gain admittance. Those courses include:

 FYE 105 – First year Experience. Some students may have GEN 101 or 102 or AHS 105. Students with transferred credits will not have to complete.

 Medical Terminology – AHS 115 OR CLA 131 OR OST 103

 Introduction to Computing CIT 105 or equivalent

 Communication – Prefer COM 252 (Interpersonal Communication), but COM 181 is also acceptable. COM 101 is acceptable for certificate programs but will not meet the requirements for the diploma.

 Anatomy and Physiology- for diploma program. BIO 130 OR BIO 135, OR BIO 137 AND 139.

 Personal Finance or Workplace Principles – for diploma program. BAS 120 OR WPP 200 OR EFM 100.

Other courses - The following courses are not required, but are recommended if additional classes are needed. These classes also make up the Basic Healthcare Foundations I and II certificates offered by the college, and can contribute to the attainment of a General Occupational and Technical Studies (GOTS) or Health Science Technology (HST) degree.

• Basic Health Care Foundations

• HST 101 – Health Care Core Curriculum: Basic Skills I (3) Highly recommended – CPR is

included in the courser and will soon be a requirement for pharmacy techs. • HST 102 – Health Care Core Curriculum: Healthcare Delivery & Management (3) • HST 103 – Health Care Core Curriculum: Healthcare Communications (2)

• Intermediate Health Care Foundations

• HST 121 - Health Care Core Curriculum: Pharmacology (2)

• HST 122 - Health Care Core Curriculum: Pathophysiology (3) (A&P is prerequisite) • HST 123 - Health Care Core Curriculum: Basic Skills II (2)

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These two certificates will be applicable toward the Health Science Technology Degree, but can also help better prepare students for other health career programs. Completion of significant amount of any healthcare courses may offer greater advantage with regard to selective admission.

IV. Technical Standards

The pharmacy technician performs technical functions under the direction of a Registered Pharmacist; including prescription preparation, inventory, repackaging, and compounding. Laboratory experience and an externship under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist are required components of the program. Therefore, in order to work successfully with clients, all students should possess:

1. Sufficient visual acuity, such as observation necessary for packaging and labeling drug products; 2. Sufficient auditory perception to receive and interpret verbal communication from individuals and

groups;

3. Sufficient fine and gross motor skills to provide timely and safe medication preparation over long periods of time;

4. Sufficient communication skills (speech, reading, writing) to interact effectively with individuals and groups; and

5. Sufficient intellectual and emotional functioning to interact effectively with individuals and groups.

V. Minimum requirements established by Senate Rules for Admission into the Applicant Pool: Preference may be given to applicants who are veterans, active duty personnel, their spouses and also displaced workers who qualify under the Trade Adjustment Act.

VI. Application process and deadlines:

Enrollment into the program itself is limited, with a maximum of 20 students being accepted in any given semester. Currently, the program starts a new cohort in the fall only. Spring classes may be offered in 2017 if required. Please contact program coordinator, Angela Riley, with questions or concerns.

 Schedule a time to meet with Pharmacy Tech faculty. Please email [email protected].

 For students who are interested in beginning in the fall, the meeting should be scheduled prior to July 15th_{. If the course is full by July 15}th_{, no meetings will be scheduled after that date.}

Deadlines may be extended due to program interest.

 Ensure you have applied for enrollment to the college in general and that your official transcripts have been received by the registrar’s office. Also, provide the Pharmacy Tech department copies of any unofficial post-secondary transcripts you may have, as well as complete and submit a selective admissions/program interest form.

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for selective admissions committee to approve or deny the application.

VII. Post Admission Requirements and Deadlines

The prospective student should be prepared to submit to background check and drug screening within the first two weeks of class, and the cost (approximately $85) is deferred to the student. The Kentucky Board of Pharmacy and the PTCB prohibits persons with a felony or drug related convictions to serve as pharmacy technicians:

315.135 Registration as pharmacy technician required to assist in the practice of pharmacy --

Exemptions.

(1) Effective April 1, 2009, a person shall not assist in the practice of pharmacy unless he or she is

duly registered as a pharmacy technician under the provisions of this chapter or is exempt under

subsection (2) of this section.

(2) A person may assist in the practice of pharmacy without obtaining the registration required by

this section if the person:

(a) Has filed an application with the board in accordance with KRS 315.136 and no more than thirty

(30) days has elapsed since the date the applicant was first employed by the pharmacy. The

exemption shall not apply if:

1. The application has been denied;

2. The person is less than sixteen (16) years of age; or

3. The person has previously been denied a registration or has had a registration revoked or

suspended in any jurisdiction and the registration has not yet been issued or reinstated;

(b) Is in the employ of a son, daughter, spouse, parent, or legal guardian; or

(c) Is participating in a work-study program through an accredited secondary or postsecondary

educational institution.

Effective: July 15, 2008

History: Created 2008 Ky. Acts ch. 148, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2008.

VIII. Accreditation: Jefferson Community and Technical College is a public, postsecondary institution accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree.

The Pharmacy Technology Diploma ONLY is accredited by the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists.

IX. Credentialing Exam(s)/Licensures: Upon successful completion of this program the student is well prepared to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam.

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Center or by calling (502) 213-2146. 1. Tuition

In-State Students $147

KCTCS Out-Of-State On-Line Students $147

Out-of-State Reciprocity Students $147

Out-of-State Students: From Contiguous Counties* $294 Out-of-State Students: Other Out-of-State Students $515

Mandatory Fee** (all students): $8 per credit hour

Security Charge of $40 is assessed to all JCTC students every term, regardless of number of hours enrolled. The fee is used to offset the costs of security in all college facilities, including security personnel, equipment, and lighting.

Late Payment Charge of $75.00 is assessed to all accounts not paid by the published payment deadline.

Reinstatement Charge of $75.00 will be assessed to any student who requests reinstatement if removed from classes due to non-payment.

ALL Fees/Charges are non–refundable

2. Books: we encourage students to purchase books in any manner that saves costs. A letter will be sent to students who are accepted into the programa listing the books required. Retail costs of books required for core courses are estimated at $600

3. Uniforms: Uniforms are approximately $25 and up.

4. Liability insurance: There is a $20 fee assessed when you sign up for your clinical class, PHA 250.

5. Criminal Background Check and Drug Testing - $83. Typically, this is only required once during the program.

6. Transportation to clinical sites: varies depend on whether student has personal transportation or public transportation.

7. PTCB exam fee: $129 (www.PTCB.org).

8. CPR certification: If you have a current CPR certification, you do not need to retake. Just present your card to the program coordinator. If you need to take CPR, it may be offered during the calendar on campus, in class, for approximately $35. Or, you may seek out courses from the American Heart Associate or American Red Cross.

XI. Additional information

1. Our catalog lists two certificates, Retail and Pharmacy Technician I as options for this program. PLEASE NOTE: although you will earn those certificates as part of your diploma studies, they ARE NOT accredited tracks. Accreditation standards require programs are at least 600 contact hours in length. Only the diploma and degree options have that distinction. You WILL NOT be awarded an accredited credential unless the minimum diploma requirements are met. As of 2020, only graduates from an ASHP accredited program will be allowed to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Verification Board Exam. As such, the certifications will be phased out. See comparison of diploma versus degree options below.

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Hours

Associate Degree in Applied Science – General Occupational and Technical Studies (GOTS)

Health Science Technology AAS Degree

FYE 105 or similar course 3 FYE 105 or similar course FYE 105 or similar course

Medical Terminology -AHS 115 OR

OST 103 OR CLA 131

3 Medical Terminology -AHS 115 OR

OST 103 OR CLA 131

Medical Terminology -AHS 115 OR OST 103 OR

CLA 131 Intro to Computing

CIS 100 or equivalent

3 Intro to Computing

CIS 100 or equivalent

ENG 101 Writing I* 3 ENG 102 Writing II* 3 Communication

COM 252, COM 181 or COM 101

3 COM 252 or COM 181 – COM 101

not eligible

BIO 135 Basic Human Anatomy 4

OR BIO 137 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4) AND BIO 139 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4) PHA 110 – Procedures and

Skills

6 PHA 110 – Procedures and Skills PSY 110 General Psychology* 3

PHA 125 – Pharmacy Calculations

2 PHA 125 – Pharmacy Calculations MAT 150 College Algebra* 3

OR MAT 110 Applied Mathematics* (3)

PHA 136 - Pharmacology 3 PHA 136 - Pharmacology Social Interaction* 3

PHA 200 & 205 – IV Preparation and Admixture Prep

3 & 1 PHA 200 & 205 – IV Preparation and Admixture Prep

Humanities/Arts*/** 3

PHA 250 Pharmacy Experience

3 PHA 250 Pharmacy Experience Oral Communication* 3

PHA 210 – Drug Classifications

6 PHA 210– Drug Classifications

Anatomy and Physiology BIO 130 OR

BIO 135 OR BIO 137 AND 139

3-8 Anatomy and Physiology

BIO 130 OR BIO 135 OR BIO 137 AND 139

NAA 100 Nursing Assistant Skills I 3

Workplace Principles WPP 200 OR

BAS 120 Personal Finance OR EFM 100 Personal Financial Management

3 Workplace Principles WPP 200 OR

BA 120 Personal Finance OR EFM 100 Personal Financial

Management

Computer/Digital Literacy* 0-3

Total Credit hours Additional Mathematics course. EX:

MT 110

Health Science Technical Courses*** 29-30

Total Lab Hours 135-195 Additional English Course. EX: ENG

101

Total Lecture Hours 678-723 Additional Social Science course.

EX: PY 110

Total Clinical Hours 160 Additional Humanities course. EX:

ART 100

Additional technical hours will be required (average of 13

ADDITIONAL hours). Please consult with program faculty

***Health Science Technical Course selection must result in final attainment of a minimum of three (3) certificate credentials. Students may be able to earn certificates that are already

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present in other curricula, including but not limited to: Basic Health Care Foundations, Intermediate Health Care Foundations, Nursing Assistant, Advanced Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy for the Healthcare Worker, Pharmacy Technician I, Insurance Coding, Medical Office Radiology

This is the one area where a pharmacy technician certificate may be of use to the student. However, remember anything less than the diploma CANNOT be awarded a credential bearing the ASHP logo.

X. Sample Curriculum and Course Sequence

First semester courses

PHA 110 Pharmacy Procedures and Skills 6 credit hours PHA 125 Pharmacy Calculations 2 credit hours PHA 136 Pharmacology 3 credit hours

Second Semester, Pharmacy Technician

PHA 200 IV Preparations 3 credit hours PHA 200 Admixture Preparations 1 credit hours PHA 250 Pharmacy Experience 3 credit hours PHA 200 IV Preparations 3 credit hours PHA 200 Admixture Preparations 1 credit hours PHA 210 Drug Classifications 6 credit hours

Third Semester, Pharmacy Technician

PHA 250 Pharmacy Experience 3 credit hours

XI. Preadmission conference Dates/Sites

There are no preadmission conferences. Students MUST make an appointment to meet with program faculty to discuss program requirements, etc.

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What does a Pharmacy Technician do?

The purpose of the pharmacy technician program at JCTC is to prepare the student for entry-mid level position in a pharmacy setting by using didactic, hands-on and experiential instruction in the essential areas in which a technician must function. This education will also prepare the student to take the

National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam. The following list of duties is excerpted from the National Pharmacy Technician Association and may be accessed at pharmacytechnician.org.

Basic Job Duties

Prepare medications under the direction of a licensed pharmacist. Measure, mix, count, label and record amounts of dosages of medications. Receive written prescriptions or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate. Maintain proper storage and security conditions for drugs. Answer telephones, responding to questions or requests when appropriate. Fill bottles with prescribed

medications and type and affix labels. Assist customers by answering simple questions, locating items, or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information. Price and file prescriptions that have been filled. Clean and help maintain equipment and work areas. Establish and maintain patient profiles, including lists of medications taken by individual patients. Order, label and count stock of medication, chemicals and supplies. Enter and maintain inventory into the computer system. Sterile product preparation, including TPNs (total parenteral nutrition) and chemotherapy treatments. Prepare and process medical insurance claim forms and records. Mix pharmaceutical preparations according to written prescriptions (compounding). Operate cash registers to accept payment from customers. Compute charges for medication and equipment dispensed to health-system patients. Deliver medications and pharmaceutical supplies to patients, nursing stations or satellite locations. Price stock and mark items for sale. Maintain and merchandise over-the-counter medications, products and supplies.

Employment Outlook and Average Earnings

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics anticipates a 32% growth in the need for pharmacy technicians (www.bls.gov ) from 2006-2016, and further information about the median wages, etc., can be find on that website. It is important to note that this is a very fast growing and fast changing industry with different regulations in each state. The one constant is that certified and formally trained pharmacy technicians tend to have higher pay and greater opportunity in more areas. The JCTC pharmacy technician program’s purpose it to provide that foundation for success and prepare the student for the national certification exam, the PTCB.

Further indication of the state of affairs with regard to pharmacy technicians can be found in the National Pharmacy Technician Association’s report “Learning About Earnings”. NPTA CEO Mike Johnston’s inference:

“The data collected indicates both progress and decline for the pharmacy technician career. CPhTs are earning more, receiving greater benefits and remaining in the field longer compared to statistics from three years ago…This indicates progress; significant, tangible, quantitative progress. Non-certified pharmacy technicians, on the other hand, are experiencing a career decline – earning less, receiving fewer benefits and having a shorter career span. The entire survey can be summarized in the following statement: The more technicians put into their career, the more they get out of it.”