PHARMACY TECHNICIAN

Technical Certificate
Dr. Osborne Burks
(901) 333-5769

A pharmacy technician works under the supervision of a pharmacist to assist in the performance of activities of the pharmacy department not requiring the professional judgment of the pharmacist. Such duties include but need not be limited to: maintaining patient records, setting up packaging, labeling medication dose, filling and dispensing routine orders for stock supplies of patients-care areas, and maintaining inventories of drug supplies and mixing drugs with parenteral fluids. This program is designed to give students both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in a pharmacy setting. Students in the program will rotate in assigned pharmacy settings. During this period, the program calendar will differ from the school calendar.

Policies and Requirements

Admission Requirements

  1. Submit a Special Admissions Application by July 1.
  2. Student must be 18 years of age or older and must have high school diploma or GED equivalency. Student must submit a score on the Span III in reading and mathematics on the Test for Adult Basic Education. Students are ranked using a TABE score (high school equivalency). The TABE exam is provided by the Southwest Testing Center. Students must pay a fee.
  3. Health: Proof of mumps, measles and rubella immunization or immunity; proof of negative TB skin test and negative drug screen; physical examination and physician's statement of suitability for matriculating in the program and job function. Documentation submitted prior to clinical rotations.
  4. A background check may be required at the student's expense. Criminal convictions of a drug-related nature will disqualify an applicant for admission to the Pharmacy Technician Program. Criminal background checks may be a requirement at some affiliated clinical rotation sites. Based on the results of these checks, an affiliated clinical site may determine to not allow your presence at their facility. This could result in your ability to successfully complete the program requirements. A criminal background check may preclude licensure certification, and/or employment. Other licensure and/or certification agencies may require that background checks be submitted using one of their designated vendors, which may differ from the vendor recommended by Southwest Tennessee Community College.

Enrollment will be limited to 25 students per 12-month-period. Admission is competitive and preference will be given to students who meet the minimum requirements listed above.

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Retention Policy

Students in the Pharmacy Technician Program must pass all units of instruction with a minimum grade of "C." Failure to do so will result in the student being dropped from the program. Since these units of instruction are offered in a lock-step sequence, the student will not have the opportunity to retake the course until the following year. If the student desires to be considered for readmission into the program, the student must make written application to the Admissions Committee 30 days prior to the beginning of the registration period of the semester in which the student wishes to be admitted.

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Graduation Requirements

Students must complete all units of instruction and maintain a cumulative average of "C" or above over the 12-month period. The clinical rotation must be completed with a "B" average or above in each clinical setting.

[First Semester] [Second Semester] [Summer Semester]

First Semester
Course Number Course Title Credit
PHRM 1010 Introduction to Pharmacy Operations
3
PHRM 1030 Measurements and Calculations
3
PHRM 1050 Personal-Vocational Relationships
2
AHS 1020 Medical Terminology
3
PRRM 1040 Structure and Function of Body Systems
3
PHRM 1080 Computer Science
3
Total  
17

Second Semester
Course Number Course Title Credit
PHRM 1060 Sterile Products
3
PHRM 1070 Pharmacology
3
PHRM 1090 Pharmacy Practice
3
PRRM 1100 Third Party Reimbursement
3
PHRM 1110 Clinical Pharmacy Experience I
3
Total  
15

Summer Semester
Course Number Course Title Credit
PHRM 1120 Clinical Pharmacy Experience II
3
Total  
3

Total Credit Hours 35

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