Clark College Catalog

Pharmacy technicians in Washington and Oregon are employed in hospitals and outpatient facilities. They assist licensed pharmacists in dispensing medications, assist with compounding and IV drug preparation, take inventory, stock supplies, type prescription labels, and perform other assignments as allowed by law. Pharmacy technicians, by law, are employed under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Both chain and community retail pharmacies, as well as all hospitals, employ pharmacy technicians.

The profession of pharmacy requires highly motivated and trained technicians to provide the drug preparation and distributive functions that support the medication management and pharmaceutical care duties of the pharmacist.

Clark College's program consists of classroom and practicum education and training. Students learn the theory in class, practice in a mock pharmacy mini-lab, and then apply their knowledge in actual pharmacy practicum settings.

The current certificate program includes a three-quarter, 63-64 credit course sequence. The practicum (direct pharmacy training) consists of two 120-hour experiences in different pharmacy sites under the supervision of a pharmacist.

Application Process

Admission to the program is outlined in two stages: preliminary requirements and final program admission.

Students must apply and pay an application fee to be included in selection. Application date is used in ranking students for selection, so it is beneficial to apply early.

Preliminary Requirements

• Complete the Clark College Application for Admission and the Pharmacy Technician Application. Return them to the Clark College Welcome Center with the non-refundable program application fees (subject to change). For the current fee amounts, please visit the Pharmacy Technician website at www.clark.edu/pharmacytech. Date of Pharmacy Application (fee paid date) will be considered in selecting students for entry into the program.


• To comply with Washington State Law [WAC 246-901-030(2)], Clark College requires that students must submit proof of high school graduation, GED completion, or U.S. degree conferment to be eligible for selection into the Pharmacy Technician program. Students must submit official transcripts in a sealed envelope to the Clark College Welcome Center.


• Earn a COMPASS Testing score of 74 or higher in reading, or complete READ 087 or equivalent with a 2.0 grade or higher.


• Earn a COMPASS Testing score of 78 or higher in writing, or complete ENGL 098 or equivalent with a 2.0 grade or higher.


• Earn a COMPASS Testing score of 54 or higher in math numerical skills, or complete MATH 030 or equivalent with a 2.0 grade or higher (Math score or class must be seven [7] years current upon program entry).


• Complete program Preliminary Requirements with a 2.0 GPA or better:



BMED 110 - Medical Terminology *

BTEC 149 - Computer Application Essentials (or BTEC 116, 117 AND 118)

HEOC 102 - Survey of Health Careers (formerly HEOC 090)

HEOC 120 - AIDS Education (or proof of 4-7 hour AIDS Education certificate)



• Obtain a minimum Clark College cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above.
• Accepted students must complete a Washington State Patrol and FBI criminal background check

The most recent educational experience will be used to meet these criteria. Applicants are responsible for requesting their official high school and college transcripts be sent to Clark College.

Additional Requirements

Prior to program entry students must complete additional course requirements with a 2.0 or above:

• HEOC 100 AND HEOC 101- Basic Concepts of Anatomy and Physiology w/lab (must be seven years current upon program entrance).

OR


• BIOL 164 AND 165- Human Biology w/lab (must be seven years current upon program entrance).
• FACPR 032- First Aid and Health Care Provider CPR
• BMED 138- Legal Aspects of the Medical Office

Completion of CMST&210 prior to entering the program is strongly encouraged.

Final Program Admission

Upon completion of preliminary requirements, an evaluation will be completed, and the applicant will be notified by the Credential Evaluations Office of additional procedures necessary for program consideration.

Program Progression

In order to progress from one course or quarter to the next after beginning the Pharmacy Technician program, the student must:

1. Achieve a GPA of 2.0 or higher in all courses.


2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Graduates of the Clark College Pharmacy Technician program will be eligible for:

• Clark College Certificate of Proficiency


• Washington Board of Pharmacy Certificate


• Oregon Board of Pharmacy Registration


• National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam

Please note: Completion of the Pre-Pharmacy Technician requirements does not guarantee entrance into the program. The Pharmacy Technician program has limited enrollment and Clark College reserves the right to determine admission status.

Disability Statement for Health Occupations

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, accommodations for students with disabilities will be considered at the student's request. The student may need to provide documentation of disability to the Disability Support Services Office to support his/her accommodation requests. Documentation guidelines and procedures can be found at www.clark.edu/dss. Once the student is qualified by DSS as having a disability, requested accommodations will be considered. Accommodations for the classroom, laboratory, or clinical setting will be evaluated according to reasonableness. Accommodations that compromise patient care, or that fundamentally alter the essential functions of the program or activity, are not considered to be reasonable.