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).

 REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRAM:

• Highschool Diploma or Equivalent

• 18 years of age

• 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/phm

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Personal/interpersonal knowledge and skills

• Foundational professional knowledge and skills

• Processing and handling of medications and medication orders

• Patient care, quality and safety knowledge and skills

• Regulatory and compliance knowledge and skills

PROGRAM   STRUCTURE

Cohort Model:

• Target of 24 students per cohort

• 11 month completion

• Program consists of lecture, online learning, simulated lab, and clinical rotations

• Clinical Rotations occur 3rd term in Hospital and Community Retail Pharmacies

• Students complete a 2 week rotation in both clinical environments

• CLC Pharmacy Technician Clinical Rotations is 140 total hours (70 hours in a hospital and 70 hours in community retail pharmacy).

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

 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. The job outlook is 7% faster than average. Typical jobs of a Certified Pharmacy Technician include Pharmacy Technician, Pharmacy Technician Manager, Pharmacy Retail Manager and Pharmacy Specialist

SALARY OUTLOOK:

• The 2021 median wage in Lake County, IL is $41,581, while the national median wage is $36,733.

• Regional compensation is 8% higher than national compensation.

JOBS IN THE AREA:

• An average of 1,600 annual openings in Illinois

TYPICAL PHARMACY TECHNICIAN DUTIES:

A pharmacy technician assists a pharmacist with the preparation of prescription medications for customers. He or she may receive written prescription requests or may process requests from doctors’ offices that doctors’ offices have sent electronically or by phone. Other job responsibilities include: 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

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.

^ CLC 120 is an institutional requirement for graduation.

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

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.