TRAINING OPTIONS
- The Pharmacy Technology Program at SAC offers three training options for pharmacy technicians.
- Pharmacy Technology Basic (Entry Level) Option: Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted_SAC.PHARB.CA)
- Pharmacy Technology Advanced Option: Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted_SAC.PHARA.CA)
- Pharmacy Technology A.S. Degree (SAC.PHAR.AS)
- All three options prepare you to become licensed by the California State Board of Pharmacy.
- Flexible scheduling allows you to complete the program quickly - or to extend the program by taking just one class at a time.
- Pharmacy Technology certificate classes are designed for part-time students.
- You can choose from daytime and/or evening classes, and face-to-face or Online options dependant on student demand.
- Check the current Schedule of Classes for specific course availability.
- Every course may not be offered at all times every semester.
- To complete the program quickly, first semester students should enroll in PHAR 048, PHAR 055, and either PHAR 051 or PHAR 052.
- In the PHAR 048 class, you will prepare a Program Planning Worksheet to schedule the remaining classes.
- In the lab classes, you will prepare a Program Planning Worksheet Follow-Up to ensure your goals are achieved.
- Santa Ana College also offers classes which will prepare you for admission to a
school of pharmacy.
- These classes, however, are not part of the Pharmacy Technology curriculum.
- Consult the
Course Descriptions for information on the Pharmacy Technology courses, including required prerequisites.
- The PDF version of the
SAC catalog, which contains the policies and descriptions for all SAC courses, is also available.
Option 1: Pharmacy Technology Basic Option (Entry Level): Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted_SAC.PHARB.CA)
- The Basic Certificate option prepares students for entry-level employment as pharmacy technicians in the retail pharmacy sector.
- By completing the Basic (Entry Level) Certificate option, students will meet the minimum academic training requirements for licensing as specified by the California State Board of Pharmacy.
- Students who intend to complete only the Basic Certificate option will be placed for a minimum of 140 hours of externship in an outpatient (drug store or ambulatory care clinic) pharmacy site to gain workplace experience.
- Background checks, health screenings, immunization status and/or drug testing will be required prior to lab classes. Any required investigations are done at the student’s expense.
- Students are expected to understand and agree to abide by the Program Guidelines, which include technician standards and essential functions for pharmacy technicians.
- The Basic (Entry Level) Certificate option is not currently accredited by the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (ASHP). Status pending.
- Students who earn the Basic (Entry Level) Certificate and then continue through the Advanced Certificate will have completed an ASHP-accredited program.
- Students must complete each required course with a grade of “C” or better (Externship with a grade of “P”) to qualify for the Basic (Entry Level) Certificate.
- All courses are required to be completed within a 3-year period to be eligible for Pharmacy Technology program enrollment and certificate/degree.
- The Pharmacy Technologhy Basic (Entry Level) Certificate option can be completed in as little as two semesters of part-time study, PLUS the outpatient externship rotation however, completion time will depend on how students schedule their coursework.
- Students beginning in the Fall semester must be able to take PHAR 056 during the daytime in the Spring to complete the Basic Certificate in two semesters.
- Students beginning in the Spring semester must be able to take PHAR 056 during the evening in the Fall to complete the Basic Certificate in two semesters.
-
PHAR 048: Introduction to Pharmacy Technology (2 units)
- PHAR 055: Pharmacy Calculations (2 units)
- PHAR 051: Body Systems I (3.5 units)
-
PHAR 052: Body Systems II (3.5 units)
-
PHAR 056: Pharmacy Operations (4.5 units)
-
PHAR 072A: Pharmacy Technology Externship Outpatient (0.5-2 units)
- The Pharmacy Technology Basic Option provides the minimum training needed to apply for your Board of Pharmacy license primarily preparing students for drug store employment.
- It does not provide adequate training for jobs in hospitals or home infusion pharmacies.
Option 2: Pharmacy Technology Advanced Option: Certificate of Achievement (ASHP-Accredited) (Transcripted_sac.phar.ca)
- The Pharmacy Technology Advanced Certificate Option includes the full-spectrum training required for employment in all pharmacy practice settings.
- Upon completion of the Advanced Certificate, graduates will meet the academic training requirements for licensing with the California State Board of Pharmacy.
- Graduates will also be well prepared for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam.
- The major course requirements for the Advanced Certificate consists of the same units of coursework listed in the Basic Certificate option, including the outpatient externship rotation.
- In addition to completing two additional academic courses (PHAR 057 and PHAR 060), students choosing the Advanced Certificate option must perform 200 additional hours (3 additional units) of externship, involving rotations in inpatient and sterile products pharmacy services.
- Students will be placed in the hospital and/or home infusion setting to complete these rotations.
- Background checks, health screenings, and/or drug testing will be required prior to lab classes.
- Any required investigations are done at the student’s expense.
- Students are expected to understand and agree to abide by the Program Guidelines, which include technician standards and essential functions for pharmacy technicians.
- The Advanced Certificate option is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Students must complete each required course with a grade of “C” or better (0.5 unit of PHAR 060L or other L-series lab classes and externship with a grade of “P”) to qualify for the Advanced Certificate.
- All courses are required to be completed within a 3-year period to be eligible for Pharmacy Technology program enrollment and certificate/degree.
- The Pharmacy Techology Advanced option is usually completed in three or four semesters of part-time study, plus 240 additional hours of externship.
- The Pharmacy Techology Advanced option provides the complete training required by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Students who complete this option will be ready for employment in any pharmacy practice site!
- Students are strongly encouraged to continue with the Advanced Certificate courses after completing the Basic Certificate option.
- The Advanced Certificate involves 32 units of coursework, including lecture, lab, and additional experiential training (externship).
The required courses for the Advanced Certificate include all of the Basic (Entry Level) Certificate courses:
PHAR 048: Introduction to Pharmacy Technology (2 units)
PHAR 055: Pharmacy Calculations (2 units)
PHAR 051: Body Systems I (3.5 units)
PHAR 052: Body Systems II (3.5 units)
PHAR 056: Pharmacy Operations (4.5 units)
PHAR 057: Inpatient Pharmacy Services (2 units)
PHAR 060: Sterile Products (4.5 units)
PHAR 056L: Pharmancy Technology Skills Lab (0.5-1 unit)
OR
PHAR 057L: Pharmacy Technology Skills Lab (0.5-1 unit)
OR
PHAR 060L: Pharmacy Technology Skills Lab (0.5-1 unit)
PHAR 072L-1: Pharmacy Technology Skills Lab (0.5-1 unit)
OR
PHAR 072L-2: Pharmacy Technology Skills Lab (0.5-1 unit)
PHAR 072A: Pharmacy Technology Externship Outpatient (0.5-2 units)
AND
PHAR 072B: Pharmacy Technology Externship Inpatient (0.5-1.5 units)
AND
PHAR 072C: Pharmacy Technology Externship Sterile Products (0.5-1.5 units)
- Externship is done in local pharmacies, with some flexibility in scheduling to meet individual student’s needs.
- Weekday/ daytime hours are generally required for the inpatient and sterile products rotations.
Option 3: Pharmacy Technology Associate of Science (A.S) Degree
(sac.phar.as) (ASHP-Accredited)
- Students complete the same units of coursework listed in in the Advanced Certificate, plus community college General Education requirements for the associates degree.
- Upon completion of the associate degree, graduates will meet the academic training requirements for licensing with the Californa State Board of Pharmacy and be well prepared for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam.
- 200 additional hours/ 3 additional units of externship in inpatient and sterile products pharmacy service is required. Students will be placed in the hospital and/or home infusion setting to complete these rotations.
- Background checks, health screenings, and/or drug testing will be required prior to lab classes.
- Any required investigations are done at the student’s expense.
- Students are expected to understand and agree to abide by the Program Guidelines, which include technician standards and essential functions for pharmacy technicians.
- Students must complete each required course with a grade of “C” or better ( 0.5 unit of PHAR 060L or other L-series lab classes and externship with a grade of “P”) to qualify for the the degree option.
- This option can be completed in four semesters of full-time study, including time for externship.
- All courses are required to be completed within a 3-year period to be eligible for Pharmacy Technology program enrollment and certificate/degree.
