Pharmacy Technology Certificate

Program Description

Tulsa Community College’s Pharmacy Technology program is an education designed to prepare students for the field of pharmacy technology, which provides a growing number of opportunities in a wide range of medical settings. The program strives to balance technical training and classroom instruction in order to impart the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the needs and goals established by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the pharmacy profession. We provide you with expert classroom instruction and diverse experiential learning with sites in community, institutional, closed-door, and compounding pharmacies. TCC provides a high level of instruction with our state-of-the-art pharmacy lab for simulation in apothecary, sterile compounding, and community/retail practice, allowing students to receive individualized attention. Completion of this program prepares you to take the national Pharmacy Technician Certification exam.

Admission to the Program

The Pharmacy Technology program admits a new class each semester beginning in August and January. Admission to the class is limited to 24 students. The Pharmacy Technology classes are day courses offered on the Metro Campus and will take 16 weeks to complete. 

Program Application Instructions

1. All prospective Pharmacy Technology students who have not been enrolled at TCC within the past year must complete an application for admission to the College before applying to the Pharmacy Technology program and submit official high school transcripts or GED, ACT scores, and official previous college transcripts to the Metro Campus Student Completion Services office at 909 South Boston, Tulsa, OK 74119.  High school seniors need to send a seventh (7th) semester transcript and an official transcript with final grades and graduation date upon completion of high school. Incomplete submissions will not be considered for admission into the Pharmacy Technology program. Admission to Tulsa Community College does not guarantee admission to the Pharmacy Technology program.
2. Applications to the Pharmacy Technology program must be completed online at tulsacc.edu/healthscienceapply by June 1 for the fall semester and by November 1 for the spring semester; however, with the approval of the Program Director, applications are accepted outside of those dates if a class still has seats available.  For more information, contact the Department of Allied Health office at 918-595-7002.  Your TCC student ID number will be needed to complete the application.
3. First-time college students must meet with an academic advisor regarding new student orientation, appropriate college placement testing, and possible high school curricular deficiencies.  Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in basic math, English, reading, writing and speaking.

Program Admission Requirements

• Applicants must be a high school graduate or possess a high school equivalency (GED) and have a high school or college cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.
• Concurrent high school students must be 18 years before their clinical rotations, have only three (3) credit hours of high school coursework remaining, and must meet TCC’s concurrent admission policies.
• Applicants must participate in an interview with the program director and/or a program delegate.
• An extensive criminal background check, including but not limited to, a seven-year county of residence nationwide criminal history check, national sexual predator screening, Social Security check, and Medicare/Medicaid fraud screening is required by all clinical affiliates.  All Allied Health students participating in clinicals are required to complete these background checks, immunizations and a drug screening test by the Department of Allied Health office deadline prior to the first clinical rotation.  Any positive findings may be subject to review by the clinical affiliates and could prevent the student from completing clinical requirements.

Contact Information
Teresa Foster BS, CPht.
Office: MP 446  Phone: 918-595-7005
Pharmacy Lab MP 408  Phone: 918-595-8303
teresa.foster@tulsacc.edu
Additional Information Available

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Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program you will be able to:

• Demonstrate ethical conduct in all job-related activities.
• Demonstrate a respectful attitude when interacting with diverse patient populations.
• Assist pharmacists in collecting, organizing, and recording demographic and clinical information for direct patient care and medication-use review
• Prepare non-patient-specific medications for distribution.
• Distribute medications in a manner that follows specified procedures.
• Prepare patient-specific medications for distribution.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient information.
• Communicate clearly when speaking and in writing,
• Apply self-management skills, time management.
• Apply interpersonal skills, including negotiation skills, conflict resolution, and teamwork.
• Perform mathematical calculations essential to the duties of pharmacy technicians in a variety of contemporary settings.
• Explain the understanding of the pharmacy technician’s role in the medication-use process.
• Receive and screen prescription/medication orders for completeness, accuracy, and authenticity.
• Assist pharmacists in the identification of patients who desire/require counseling to optimize the use of medications, equipment, and devices.
• Practice effective infection control procedures, including preventing transmission of blood borne and airborne diseases.
• Assist pharmacists in preparing, storing, and distributing medication products requiring special handling and documentation.
• Use material data sheets to identify, handle, and safely dispose of hazardous materials.
• Prepare medication requiring compounding of sterile products.
• Prepare medications requiring compounding of non-sterile products.
• Prepare medications requiring compounding of chemotherapy/hazardous products.
• Initiate, verify, and assist in the adjudication of billing for pharmacy services and goods, and collect payment for these services.
• Apply accepted procedures in purchasing pharmaceuticals, devices, and supplies.
• Apply accepted procedures in inventory control of medications, equipment, and devices.
• Explain pharmacy reimbursement plans for covering pharmacy services.
• Verify measurements, preparations, and/or packaging of medications produced by other healthcare professionals.
• Explain pharmacists’ roles when they are responding to emergency situations and how pharmacy techniques can assist pharmacists by being certified as a Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider.
• Explain the anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and scientific skills relevant to the pharmacy technician’s role.
• Apply self-management skills, including time management, stress management, and adapting to change.29. Present an image appropriate for the profession of pharmacy in appearance and behavior.
• Solve problems common to a pharmacy technician’s work.
• Describe how different healthcare occupations interact in the healthcare delivery system.
• Explain the importance of wellness promotion and disease prevention practices, such as use of health screenings; health practices and environmental factors that impact health; and adverse effects of alcohol, tobacco, and legal and illegal drugs.
• Develop commitment to excellence in the pharmacy profession and to continuing education and training.
• Discuss understanding of major trends, issues, goals, and initiatives taking place in the pharmacy profession.
• Identify of non-traditional roles of pharmacy technicians.
• Identify and describe emerging therapies.
• Apply patient and medication safety practices in all aspects of the pharmacy technician’s roles.
• Describe the use of current technology in the healthcare environment to ensure the safety and accuracy of medication dispensing.
• Compare and contrast the roles of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in ensuring pharmacy department compliance with professional standards and relevant legal, regulatory, formulary, contractual, or safety requirements.
• Explain procedures and communication channels to use in the event of a product recall or shortage, a medication error, or identification of another problem.

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Careers

Search careers in Pharmacy Technology at TCC Career Explorer and visit TCC Career Services to learn more about our free career planning and job preparation services.

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Certificate Requirements

View a semester-by-semester course plan of study on the Pharmacy Technology Certificate Program Map.