Program Overview

Pharmacy Technician Certificate

Biological and Health Sciences Division, Room B213, (847) 543-2042

https://www.clcillinois.edu/programs/biodv/pharmacy-technician
Degree: Certificate
Plan 21MJ 

College of Lake County's Pharmacy Technician Certificate program is designed to provide students with the necessary education and experience to become a nationally certified pharmacy technician and obtain employment in the industry. The program is 11 months in length and will consist of classroom, hands-on simulation laboratory and clinical rotations. Graduation from the program will provide students with the education and certificate necessary to sit for the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam® (PTCE®). Upon completion of this program, students must take the PTCE exam to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

This program is based at the Southlake Campus in Vernon Hills.

Requirements for Program:

• Highschool Diploma or Equivalent

• 18 years of age

• Submit completed application interest form

• Submit to Background Check: Have never been convicted of a felony or had a health license/registration revoked/ disciplined

• Meets College Algebra Readiness requirements

• Meets College Reading and Writing Readiness requirements

• Proof of Immunizations per program requirement: http://dept.clcillinois.edu/hea/RequirementsHealthCareerPrograms.pdf

For instructions on how to complete the above requirements, visit www.clcillinois.edu/programs/phmc

Program Structure

Cohort Model:

• Target of 24 students per cohort

• Certificate can be completed in 11 months

• The Pharmacy Technician program consists of lecture, online learning, simulated lab, and clinical rotations

• CLC Pharmacy Technician students will complete 2 week clinical rotations in both Hospital and Community Pharmacies consisting of 140 total hours.

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Recommended Plan of Study

 Pharmacy Technician Career:

Pharmacy technicians are crucial to the operation of a pharmacy. Pharmacy technicians perform a vast array of functions in the healthcare industry. In this program, you will learn the vital skills to work in a pharmacy and assist the pharmacists in providing positive healthcare outcomes for patients and the community. Due to the changing landscape of healthcare pharmacy technician positions are currently in high demand. Typical jobs of a Certified Pharmacy Technician include Pharmacy Technician, Pharmacy Technician Manager, Pharmacy Retail Manager and Pharmacy Specialist

Typical Pharmacy Technician Duties:

• Assists a pharmacist with the preparation of prescription medications for customers.

• Process requests from doctors’ offices that doctors’ offices have sent electronically or by phone.

• Filling bottles with doctor-prescribed medications.

• Typing and applying labels with directions and other information for patients.

• Pre-packing bulk medications, handling any required cash register operations, resolving issues, concerns or complaints made by customers.

• Calling doctors for prescription refill authorizations, keeping detailed records of on-hand medications and other stock and resolving any issues with patients insurance coverage.

Program Completion and Goal Outcomes:

• Students sit for the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam® (PTCE®) : Goal: 100% pass-rate

• Employment and job placement for students who complete the CLC pharmacy technician accredited program: Goal:100% employment placement

• Program satisfaction collected from the student and applicable employer

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Notes:

• Please note that admission to College of Lake County does not necessarily guarantee acceptance to the Pharmacy Technician Program.

• Pharmacy Technician students must pass all courses in the program curriculum with at least a C and maintain a minimum term GPA of 2.0 to proceed through the program.

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For more information on recommended courses or program specific advising, contact Derek Leiter at (847) 543- 6506 or the Biological and Health Sciences Division at (847) 543-2042.