*400 Clock Hours (180 Didactic Clock Hours, 80 Simulation Clock Hours, 140 Experiential/Clinical Clock Hours)

Clinical Hours are completed at Walgreen Pharmacy during the Program. 

Purpose: Pharmacy Technician prepares students to order, stock, package, prepare and dispense medications under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Students will prepare to take the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examinations in order to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), blending medicine, math and chemistry,our Certificate Program prepares you for the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam.

OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVES: Pharmacy technicians work in the following types of pharmacies: hospitals, retail, home health care, nursing homes, clinics, nuclear medicine, and mail order. Pharmacy technicians can be employed with medical insurance companies, pharmacy software companies, drug manufacturing and wholesale companies, food processing companies, and as instructors in pharmacy technician training programs. Currently hospital, home health care, and retail pharmacies hire the majority of technicians.

Pharmacy Tech Program Financial Obligation 

Registration Fee

$100 (non-refundable)

Tuition 

 Federal Title IV Financial Aid is not available at our institution . Payment Plan Options are Available with $100 tuition down payment. Our institution is a Postsecondary Institute of Higher Education that is Certified to Operate by the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia. Our tuition and refund policy is in accordance to 8VAC40-31-0160.

Program Tuition Refund Policy

a. A student who enters the school but withdraws or is terminated during the first quartile (25%) of the program shall be entitled to a minimum refund or credit towards outstanding payment plan balance amounting to 75% of the cost of the program.

b. A student who withdraws or is terminated during the second quartile (more than 25% but less than 50%) of the program shall be entitled to a minimum refund or credit towards outstanding payment plan balance  amounting to 50% of the cost of the program.

c. A student who withdraws or is terminated during the third quartile (more than 50% but less than 75%) of the program shall be entitled to a minimum refund or credit towards outstanding payment plan balance amounting to 25% of the cost of the program.

d. A student who withdraws after completing more than three quartiles (75%) of the program shall not be entitled to a refund 

Textbooks/Program Resources

The estimated out of pocket cost for required textbooks and program resources can range from about $255 * Campus Program

NOTE: A $20 fee is required to register as a Pharmacy Technician Trainee with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy at the start of the program. The fee is the student’s responsibility.

The Pharmacy Tech Program accepts Virginia Career Works WIOA Vouchers Only individuals who meet the eligibility requirements that are set out in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act may qualify for funding for training programs. Contact your local office to determine if you are eligible for funding assistance.

Basic Pharmacy I 

This course provides students with the basic foundation and principles of becoming a Pharmacy Technician. As a certified pharmacy technician, you are the liaison between medical professionals, doctors, pharmacists, insurance companies and patients. You will receive and verify prescriptions and prepare patient medication. Topics discussed includes but is not limited to ; inventory, healthcare ethics and privacy, prescription filing process, federal regulations affecting pharmacy, role of pharmacy technician,  routes of administration, compounding, aseptic techniques, brand and generic drugs, SIG codes, billing and insurance claims for prescriptions.  The course also prepares students for practice as Entry-level pharmacy technicians according to ASHP standards in a variety of contemporary settings (e.g., community, hospital, home care, long-term care) and has students acquire knowledge, skills, behaviors, and abilities needed for such practice.

Pharmacy Calculations 

This course presents the essential math calculations and skills used by the Certified Pharmacy Technician. Course topics include; conversions, measurements, drug preparations, and applications of equations required for IV delivery, unit doses, and preparation of solutions for adult and pediatric populations. Students will have the opportunity to practice these calculations and skills through a variety of exercises and real-world pharmacy calculations. By the end of the course, students will be able to confidently perform all the necessary math calculations required of pharmacy technicians.

State laws decide the activities that pharmacy technicians can perform. More detailed information about the roles, responsibilities and salaries of a pharmacy technician can be found on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.