Program Assessment and Program Review Documents

Department Chair: John Ross, CPhT

MISSION STATEMENT for Department

The mission of the department is to be a leader and partner in meeting the intellectual, cultural, technological, workforce and economic development needs of our diverse community. The Pharmacy Technology training program prepares students for employment as pharmacy technicians or clerks, and lifelong intellectual pursuit in a dynamic learning environment. The department:

1. provides program enrollees with the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain licensure, certification, and employment in local pharmacies.
2. strives to enhance student access, achievement, skill attainment, and retention throughout the ASHP certificate program.
3. maintains program accreditation granted by ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists).
4. maintains the requirements of the California State Board of Pharmacy for pharmacy technician training.
5. provides enrollees with updated training tools (equipment, software, hardware) used in real-life pharmacies.
6. sustains FTES increase and maintain awareness of the Pharmacy Technology training program in our district and throughout the region.
7. maintains adequate funding to sustain the program​

Degrees &Certificates Offered

Basic Certificate       19.5 units

This option provides the minimum training needed to apply for the Board of Pharmacy license. This option primarily prepares a student for drug store employment. It does not provide adequate training for jobs in hospital or home infusion pharmacies.

• PHAR 048: Introduction to Pharmacy Technology
• PHAR 051: Body Systems I
• PHAR 052: Body Systems II
• PHAR 054: Pharmacy Calculations
• PHAR 056: Pharmacy Operations
• PHAR 072: Externship (Outpatient rotation: 80 hours)
• Choose 1 course from the following: CMST 097, 101, 101H, 102.

This option requires 8 to 12 months of training on a part-time basis.

Advanced (ASHP-Accredited) Certificate     29.5 units

This 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 anypharmacy practice site. Students are strongly encouraged to continue with the Advanced Certificate courses after completing the Basic Certificate option.

The Advanced Certificate includes all of the Basic Certificate courses, plus:

• PHAR 057: Inpatient Pharmacy Services
• PHAR 060: Sterile Products
• PHAR 072: Externship (Inpatient & IV rotations: 120 hours each)

This option requires three or four semesters of training on a part-time basis.

Associate Degree

Students can earn either an AA or an AS degree, with a major in Pharmacy Technology, by completing all of the Advanced Certificate courses plus the Santa Ana College general education requirements. This option can be completed in four semesters of full-time study, including time for externship. This option is also ASHP-accredited.​

Currentcourses align with General Education / Institutional Learning Outcomes(link to mapping chart).