Program Overview

Major ID: 310A

Program Start Dates: Fall - General Education credits can be taken any term

Pharmacy technicians play an integral role in assisting pharmacists with medication dispensing. Pharmacy technicians work in hospitals, drug stores, and other medical settings. Pharmacy technicians perform a variety of duties that require strong attention to detail. Pharmacy Technicians perform duties such as, entering prescription orders into the computer, preparing medications for pharmacist verification (including measuring and sometimes mixing the medication), maintaining accurate patient records, performing calculations, and providing customer service.

This program prepares students to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.

Career Opportunities

Pharmacy technicians work in hospitals, drug stores, specialty pharmacies, and insurance company settings. Employment projections indicate an increase of 32% from 2010 to 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Program Outcomes

1. Graduates will have skills to provide medications to patients including ordering stocking and packaging.
2. Graduates will understand and apply skills in institutional setting in sterile product processing.
3. Graduates will have mastered the general education requirements for work and life.
4. Graduates will be able to perform administrative duties in a variety of pharmacy related workplace settings.
5. Graduates will apply appropriate customer service skills in a hospital or retail based pharmacy.
6. Graduates will be prepared to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.
7. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of all regulations that govern pharmacy technicians.
8. Graduates will perform duties as a pharmacy technician in retail and hospital environments.
9. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to prepare and interpret pharmacy orders accurately.
10. Graduates will exhibit work ethic characteristics of professionalism, responsibility and dependability.
11. Graduates will apply knowledge of basic sciences to the practice of pharmacy technology.
12. Graduates will demonstrate ability to communicate with patients, health care providers and colleagues.

Program Faculty

Sabrina Hemmerling
sabrina.hemmerling@saintpaul.edu

Additional Program Material Costs

Students should expect to spend approximately $750.00 beyond the cost of tuition and fees for books, supplies, uniforms, parking at internship site, and professional fees. There are additional fees for the certification exam and board of pharmacy registration (see below).

Licenses/Testing

• Certification Exam $129.00
• Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Registration $50

Program Guidelines

1. Attend required orientation session after program acceptance.
2. Must complete vaccination requirements directed by faculty at required program orientation session.
3. Must pass MN Department of Health and Human Services Background study.
4. Complete Basic Life Support for Healthcare provider (BLS) or CPR/First Aid before the end first semester pharmacy courses.

Transfer Opportunities 

Saint Paul College has transfer agreements & partnerships between many post-secondary institutions. For more information please go to saintpaul.edu/Transfer.