Pharmacy Technician
Prepare yourself for an exciting and rewarding career in healthcare.
As a pharmacy technician, you are a vital link between medical professionals, pharmacists, and patients. Your primary tasks include receiving and verifying prescriptions and preparing a patient’s medication. This program will prepare you for an entry-level position in a hospital, retail setting or clinic. You will learn to convert between measuring systems, calculate dosages and understand how different medications treat different diseases. After completion of this class, you will be ready to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). Registration ends one week prior to the start of class.
Current median wage - $14.86/hour*
Projected Regional Jobs by 2024 – 1,654*Hourly incomes are the median wages reported in 2016 to the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the respective job titles. Projected jobs are for regions roughly equating to HCC district 540
Students should have taken math and science in high school. A high school diploma or GED is required to sit for the PTCB exam.
Students for Whom English is Not a First Language
Basic English language literacy and communication skills are vital to the success of the student. Please contact HCC Adult Education with any concerns related to this requirement as they can assess your skillsets and may enroll you in Heartland’s free ESL class as a first step.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- Describe the history, laws and ethics of pharmacy
- Identify the different measuring systems and convert between household and metric
- Complete practical calculations including daily supply dosing and children dose calculations based on weight
- Complete concentration calculations including calculating the compounding products based on the percentage strength needed
- Describe the different organ systems and identify the major diseases that affect them
- Identify and describe the different medications used to treat major diseases
Start date for 2020 is not yet scheduled.
Payment Options
We offer an installment payment plan and student loans are available through SallieMae.
We also have a limited number of Financial Scholarships.
Call us at 309-268-8033 for more information.
Health Care Career Training Refund Policy
Employment Statement for Job Training Programs
Heartland Community College does not guarantee employment upon completion of instructional programs. Students are responsible for researching relevant employment opportunities prior to registration. No refunds will be provided if a student fails to complete a course, does not pass a certification exam, or is unsuccessful at obtaining employment.
