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Pharmacy Technician

Wenatchee Valley College Pharmacy Technician Program is a Washington State Board of Pharmacy Approved Program, a recognized program by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, and a candidate for American Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) National Accreditation.  

PTCB Logo in navy blue        ASHP Candidate Logo blue, white and orange

The Pharmacy Technician Program at Wenatchee Valley College prepares students to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).   

Pharmacy Technician Program Pathways

One-year Certificate
Associate in Applied Science-Transfer Degree

 

One-year Certificate

The Pharmacy Technician one-year certificate is a four-quarter program consisting of classroom instruction, laboratory practice and clinical pharmacy training. It aims to prepare students to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board national exam. Successful completion of the program should provide students the skills and knowledge they need to qualify for positions in community, health system and other pharmacies.

One-year Certificate program outcomes
Students should learn about drug products, calculations, dosages, dispensing techniques, inventory management, aseptic techniques and Washington pharmacy law. Students should study and develop different skills, work attitudes and ethics, as well as develop proper work habits and appreciation for the job. Student training will include classroom instruction, laboratory practice and clinical pharmacy training. This program should prepare students to work in both community and hospital pharmacy settings.

Associate in Applied Science-Transfer Degree

The Pharmacy Technician Associate of Applied Science-Transfer Degree is a two-year program consisting of general education, technical and pharmacy education courses. Successful completion of the program should provide student the skills and knowledge they need to qualify for positions in community health systems and other pharmacies. It aims to prepare students to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board national exam. AAS-T graduates should have the preparatory background to pursue the Associate of Science-Transfer (AS-T) transfer degree to become a licensed pharmacist.

AAS-T program outcomes
Students should learn about drug products, calculations, dosages, dispensing techniques, inventory management, aseptic techniques and Washington pharmacy law. Students should study and develop different skills, work attitudes and ethics, as well as develop proper work habits and appreciation for the job. Student training will include classroom instruction, laboratory practice and clinical pharmacy training. This program should prepare students to work in both community and hospital pharmacy settings. AAS-T graduates should have the preparatory background to pursue the Associate of Science-Transfer (AS-T) transfer degree to become a licensed pharmacist.

Graduate performance on national exam.

Graduating Class

Student Pass Rate on PTCE

2020

87.5%

2021

80%

2022

100%

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Estimated Cost for the Pharmacy Tech Program

To work as a pharmacy technician in Washington State students must complete a Board Recognized Pharmacy Tech Training Program with at least 8 hours of WA State Law, pass a national exam, apply for certification, and pay associated fees.

Continuing Education (CE) is required to maintain your Washington State License as well as your National Certification.   Both require 20 hours of ACPE-approved continuing education every two years.  Obtaining CE is outside the scope of this program, but can be found on the internet, by attending pharmacy conferences or joining pharmacy associations. Two hours must cover pharmacy law and one hour of patient safety.  There is a fee for renewal.  

Check out Pharmacy Technician salary and growth projections for Washington state.

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