Accelerated Pharmacy Technology

This award is not eligible for Financial Aid

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Accelerated Pharmacy Technology provides an introductory review of the pharmacy industry to prepare students for an entry-level pharmacy technician role. This program is designed to prepare students to meet the requirements to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or the ExCPT (Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians). Students will be introduced to the knowledge and skills required for a pharmacy technician, including the potential roles and responsibilities in the field. The program includes instruction in medical and pharmaceutical terminology, legal and regulatory standards, customer service, prescription analysis and interpretation, mathematical calculations for dosing and solution preparation, safety procedures, and billing practices.

This is a Fast Track Certificate, which can be completed in two semesters or less.

Details

Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Accelerated Pharmacy Technology (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5309N
Total credits required
9
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Admission criteria

1. Formal application and admission to the program.
2. Background Check Requirements: Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Background Check standards. Upon conditional program enrollment, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD background check policy.
3. Clinical Health and Safety Requirements must be met. Upon conditional program enrollment, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD clinical health and safety policy.
4. Inability to comply with Background Check Requirements and/or Clinical Health and Safety Requirements at the start of classes may result in cancellation of enrollment.

Notes

This program is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.
Students must earn a grade of C or better in each course in the program.

This program meets or exceeds the minimum requirements for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and National Healthcareer Association (NHA) certifications.

What You'll Learn
  • Describe the process and responsibilities required to obtain and maintain registration and/or licensure and any major trends, issues, goals, and initiatives taking place in the pharmacy profession.
  • Describe the roles and responsibilities of the pharmacy technician, pharmacist, and other occupations in the healthcare environment.
  • Explain pharmacy department compliance with professional standards relevant to state and federal laws, regulatory, formulary, contractual, and safety requirements.
  • Demonstrate basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology relevant to the pharmacy technician`s role.
  • Apply pharmacy methodology for preparing, storing, and distributing medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation.
  • Identify wellness promotion and disease prevention programs.
  • Prepare medications requiring compounding of non-sterile products under the supervision of a pharmacist.
  • Evaluate best practices regarding quality assurance measures according to leading quality organizations.

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Pharmacy Aides

$33,700

Pharmacy Technicians

$39,240

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
PHT225 Accelerated Pharmacy Technology 7
PHT253 Pharmacy Technician Externship 2
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

This certificate is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=188664).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.