Pharmacy Technician Certificate

Why Earn a Pharmacy Technician Certificate?

Learn to fill and dispense medication for patients with a Pharmacy Technician Certificate. As a pharmacy technician, you'll be a vital pharmacy team member. Your knowledge and skill will help make sure patients stay healthy and safe. You'll find a job in pharmacies in drugstores, hospitals, and other medical facilities.

By completing the program, you will be eligible to take the exams to become a certified pharmacy technician. You can take examinations from:

• The Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT)
• The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)

You must pass one of these exams to become employed as a pharmacy technician. With your certification, you can begin your career as a pharmacy technician.

Why Receive Pharmacy Technician Training at San Juan College?

Fast-Track Program

If you are looking to enter the medical field with a short training time, SJC's Pharmacy Technician Certificate program is for you. Our Pharmacy Technician Certificate prepares you to work in a pharmacy in just 16 weeks. You'll be qualified to find a job in pharmacies and other medical facilities that administer drugs and medication.

Real-World Experience

As part of the program, you will complete 45 hours of clinical experience. You'll work in a real-life pharmacy environment for firsthand job knowledge. Develop the skills you need to pass the national certification examination and be an effective pharmacy technician.

Flexible Schedule

We offer our main pharmacy technician course in a hybrid format. That means you can complete lectures online and attend labs and your clinical experience in person. Take classes in a way that fits your schedule with SJC's pharmacy technician training program.

Affordable Option in Farmington

Because of San Juan College's low tuition rates, our Pharmacy Technician Certificate program is one of the most affordable programs in New Mexico. The program's estimated cost is $800 for in-state students and $1,900 for out-of-state students. (Textbook costs are not included.) Get the quality training you need to begin your career at a low cost at SJC. You may also qualify for free tuition through the NM Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships.

What You'll Learn in the Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program

Build skills to become a pharmacy technician with our fast-track certificate program. You'll take one 16-week course that will prepare you to work in pharmacies at hospitals and other medical facilities. During this course, you will learn about the following:

• Blood and lymphatic system
• Dispensing of prescriptions
• Dose conversions and calculations
• Drug compounding
• Identifying drugs by generic and brand names
• Inventory control, billing, and reimbursement
• IV flow rates
• Medical terminology specific to pharmacy
• Reading and interpreting prescriptions

As part of the course, you will also complete a prearranged 45-hour externship in a local pharmacy in New Mexico, where you will get clinical experience to help you understand how to work in a pharmacy environment.

You will also take a medical terminology course as part of the certificate program. This class will give you a foundation in the language of medicine.

Pharmacy Technician Certificate Curriculum

Careers and Outcomes

As the healthcare industry evolves and grows, pharmacy technician roles are in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of pharmacy technicians to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031.

As a pharmacy technician, you'll work under the supervision of a registered pharmacist to help treat patients. You will be able to work in pharmacy settings throughout the medical field.

They include:

• Community pharmacies
• Home infusion pharmacies
• Hospitals

Graduates of our program work in the following pharmacies:

• Indian Health Service
• San Juan Regional Center
• Walgreens
• Walmart

Admission Requirements

Students must pass a pre-admissions math calculations test with 80% or higher to be accepted into the certificate program.