Pharmacy Technician

Program Locations: Grand Island Campus
Program Level: Diploma, Associate
Department: Health Sciences

Our Pharmacy Technician program will give you the skills necessary to work under state and federal pharmacy laws. Pharmacy technicians work in retail, hospital, clinical or long-term care settings under supervision of a registered pharmacist. Proper training and education are key components for a successful pharmacy technician. 

Responsibilities of pharmacy technicians include:

  • Preparing and distributing medications 
  • Performing pharmaceutical calculations 
  • Interpreting physician medication orders and prescriptions 
  • Communicating effectively with patients 
  • Managing and processing inventory 
  • Maintaining patient confidentiality 
  • Becoming a nationally certified pharmacy technician (CPhT)

Program Options

Associate of Applied Science

Diploma

Certificate

program overviewcourse descriptionscourse sequence

PTCB logoPTCB requires applicants for PTCB Credentials, including CPhT, CSPT, and specified assessment-based certificate programs, to complete a PTCB-recognized education/training program for their chosen credential, except when they select another pathway to eligibility.

By partnering with PioneerRx Pharmacy Software, our program allows students to learn in a real-world environment using the most installed software for independent pharmacies. Students enhance their clinical and functional skills by training in a pharmacy system that is innovative, robust, and feature-rich. Read what current pharmacy leaders are saying about PioneerRx at Pharmacy Software Reviews.

The 21/22 cohort for the pharmacy technician program at Central Community College for Job Placement is 75%,  and the exam pass rate is 80%.

The Pharmacy Technician program is accredited by American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).(4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, MD 20814. https://www.ashp.org/pharmacy-technicians)

  • What will it cost?
  • How long will it take?
What will it cost?
How long will it take?

Earn your diploma in 1 year plus 1 summer by completing 15 credits a semester for 2 semesters plus a 5-credit clinical in the summer.

Finish an AAS degree in 2 years by completing 15-16 credits a semester.

The length of time to complete a program is based on a student taking only the courses required for the program as listed in our online catalog. It does not include the cost of foundations courses that may be required based on assessment scores, retaking courses or taking courses that are not required by your program of study.

Your adviser will develop a plan of study to meet your personal needs.

Admissions Requirements

Pharmacy Technician Admissions Procedures

You will NOT be granted consideration to the Pharmacy Tech program until items 1-3 are completed.

Admission Criteria and Procedure

  1. Complete an online application to the college, select Pharmacy Technician Program, including submission of college and high school transcripts.
  2. Schedule an informational meeting with the Pharmacy Tech Director or Faculty Advisor.
  3. Meet program specific academic eligibility. This is accomplished by attaining minimum scores on the pre-enrollment assessment. Test scores must be within 3 years of your Pharmacy Tech application. If the scores from your ACT is older than 3 years, Assessment tests are offered at all CCC campuses. Call the campus nearest you to schedule a day/time for your test.

Program specific minimum scores are listed below:

ACT Test Accuplacer NWEA Map Next Gen
Composite ≥ 18 Reading ≥ 74 Reading ≥ 223 Reading ≥ 263
Math ≥ 17 Sent-Skills ≥ 84 Language ≥ 223 Writing ≥ 263
All other areas ≥ 18 Elementary Algebra ≥ 31 or Arithmetic ≥ 75 Math ≥ 234 QAS Math ≥ 234
Program Costs

Approximate Educational Costs – Pharmacy Technician Program

In addition to college fees, tuition, and costs associated with book and course suppli es and materials, students who are accepted into the program must:

  • Pass a background check and drug test at the applicant’s expense.
  • Complete a healthcare provider BLS course and maintain certification throughout the program.
  • Submit documentations of required immunizations and tests (Hepatitis B, MMR, Polio, Varicella, Flu shot, and TB test).

College tuition and fees are established by the Board of Governors and may be subject to change.

Estimated Cost of Program

Tuition and fees
AAS degree - 61 hours @ $110 per credit hour (in state)
Diploma - 34 hours @$110 per credit hour (in state)


$6,710
$3,470 

Books and printed material
e-books (choose either printed or e-book)

$700
$400

Professional liability insurances (purchased by college) $12
Background check $44
State of NE tech license $25
PTCB pre-test $29
PTCB test $129
Drug test fee $48-68
Immunizations (cost dependent on # of shots required) varies
BLS varies
Room and board (available at Hastings and Columbus campuses) varies
Scrubs varies

ADDITIONAL COSTS

Students are responsible for all costs associated with the program. This includes, but is not limited to, costs pertaining to transportation to and from community education sites, clinical sites (including transportation, housing, and cost of living), immunizations, and exam fees. There may be additional expenses incurred that are not listed.

Program Checklist

Pharmacy Technician Program Application Checklist

Your file will not be considered complete until all items have been received. Keep this form for your records.

  • Central Community College Application with Pharmacy Technician Program selected 
  • High School Transcripts
  • Students who have never been enrolled in traditional or private high schools (home schooled) should speak to the CCC Admissions Office for information on submitting documentation verifying educational experiences
  • College Transcripts (all colleges attended)
  • ACT, Accuplacer or NWEA MAP placement scores (current last 3 years)

It is the applicant’s responsibility to request that high school and college transcripts be sent to Central Community College.
Transcripts must be sent directly from the schools attended and should be mailed to:

Central Community College
College Registrar
3134 West Highway 34
P.O. Box 4903
Grand Island, NE 68802-4903

Additional Information

Clinical Placement

Clinical Placement assignments will be made by the Program Director. While every effort will be made to match clinical sites to student needs and interest, no guarantee is given or implied that the placement will be made in a student’s home community of choice. Expenses incurred for clinical experiences such as transportation, out-of-town lodging, food, and incidental expenses are the sole responsibility of the student.

Course Progression

Satisfactory completion of coursework is contingent on a student’s demonstrated ability of mastering subject material. Students admitted to the program must complete all Pharmacy Tech required coursework and clinical experiences with a grade of C or higher in order to progress through the program. Students who do not complete all attempted coursework with a final course grade of C or higher will not progress to the next semester of coursework.

Transfer of Credit

Students must have achieved a grade of 2.0 in all transferring coursework that will be used for the AAS degree. Students may be asked to submit a syllabus(i) of the transfer course(s) for comparison. Transfer coursework must have been completed in the past seven years (except for English Comp I which can have been completed at any time in student’s academic career). Exceptions to the “7-year rule” for transfer of credit may be granted upon written request of the student. These exceptions are granted under unique circumstances, including advanced study of subject matter or current substantial related work experience with near equivalence to the required course. Students requesting an exception will be asked to demonstrate current proficiency in the subject matter.

CCC Criminal Background, Drug Testing, Felony Convictions

All students meeting academic eligibility and granted admission to the Pharmacy Tech program are required to complete a Criminal Background Check conducted by the College. Students may refer to the CCC Criminal Background Check (CBC) Student Procedures for additional information. The Pharmacy Tech program requires background checks and drug tests for admitted Pharm Tech students in order to verify an individual’s suitability to participate in clinical fieldwork and to ensure safety of individuals and organizations with whom a student comes in contact with. Students with a drug-related misdemeanor or any felony will not be granted a State of NE technician license and therefore will not be considered for the Pharmacy Tech program.

Immunizations

The Hepatitis B immunization series, MMR, Polio, Varicella (chicken pox), the flu shot, and tuberculosis testing are required of all students admitted into the Pharmacy Tech program. These standards are put in place to protect the public from possible exposure to life - threatening contagious diseases as well as protect the health status of students. Students are responsible for all associated costs.

Orientation

Students are required to attend a mandatory Pharmacy Tech orientation on campus. This will take place 2-3 weeks prior to the start of class.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity

Central Community College (CCC) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability, or other factors prohibited by law, in matters of employment, admissions, financial aid, or other activities and opportunities as set forth in compliance with federal and state statutes and regulations.

Any person having inquiries concerning Central Community College compliance with Title II, Title VI, Title IX, the Age Discrimination Act, and/or Section 504 should contact:

Vice President of Human Resources
3134 W. Highway 34
PO Box 4903
Grand Island, NE 68802-4903
308- 398-4222
[email protected]

Contact

 

Kerri Dey
Program Director
308-398-7571
[email protected]

 

Karen Smallwood
Instructor
308-398-7528
[email protected]

 

Pharmacy Technician Photos

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