Pharmacy Technology, Diploma

Overview

Offered at the Piedmont Summerville Site.

Program Description: The Pharmacy Technology diploma is designed to provide an individual with the entry level skills required for success in a retail pharmacy or a hospital-based pharmacy department. Learning opportunities develop academic knowledge, professional knowledge, and skills required for job acquisition and retention. Graduates are prepared to function as pharmacy technicians in positions requiring preparations of medications according to prescription under the supervision of a pharmacist.  

Students will be accepted into the Pharmacy Technology diploma program each fall semester.  A full-time student can complete this program in 5 semesters.  To graduate, a student must earn a minimum of 54 semester credit hours.

Criteria for Successful Completion of Program
The minimum requirements for successful completion of the Pharmacy Technology program are listed below. 
1. Completion of 428 clinical hours
2. Students must maintain a programmatic GPA of 2.0
3. Students are required to achieve a grade of “C” or higher for all courses
4. Students are required to pass all courses within a maximum of 2 attempts.
5. Achieve all ASHP goals and objectives
6.  Master all course competencies
7. Attain a grade of 90% or higher on all course skill competency check-offs

Program Requirement and Cost: The Georgia Board of Pharmacy has adopted Rule 480-15-02. This rule requires pharmacy technicians (including students working in pharmacies) to register with the Georgia Board of Pharmacy before performing technical duties in a pharmacy in Georgia. The cost of this registration $140.00.

Conviction of a felony or gross misdemeanor may prohibit employment in the field and may make a student ineligible to take licensing/certification exam(s) required for the profession. 

Prior to participation in campus/clinical labs, students are required to undergo a national background check and 10-panel drug screening. PreCheck cost $95.00.

A high school diploma or GED is required for admission into the program.

Employment Opportunities:

The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $35,100 in May 2020.  Employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 4 percent from 2020 to 2030. Increased demand for prescription medications will lead to more demand for pharmaceutical services.

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm

Credentialing (Required):  Program graduates are eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam which is given by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.  

Curriculum Outline

Basic Skills Courses, 9 credits

Occupational Courses, 47 credits

Notes:

• A grade of “C” or higher is required for all courses.
• A student who does not earn a grade of “C” or higher in any two courses with the ALHS, BIOL, MATH, and PHAR prefix will be suspended from the program for one year. Before re-entering the program, the student must complete an individualized remedial program assigned by the department head. After the third unsuccessful attempt of any course OR combination of courses with the PHAR prefix, the student will not be allowed to re-enter the Pharmacy Technology program.
• The Georgia Board of Pharmacy has adopted Rule 480-15-02. This rule requires pharmacy technicians (including students working in pharmacies) to register with the Georgia Board of Pharmacy before performing technical duties in a pharmacy in Georgia.
• Prior to participation in campus/clinical labs, students are required to submit completed medical and dental examination forms. All required immunizations, including Hepatitis B, must be accompanied by documentation. Students who refuse to take the Hepatitis B vaccination series must sign a declination form and be aware that clinical practicum sites may refuse them an opportunity to gain clinical experience.
• Conviction of a felony or gross misdemeanor may prohibit employment in field and may make a student ineligible to take licensing/certification exam(s) required for the profession. A background check and/or drug screen may be required by some agencies before a student attends a clinical practicum. For more information, contact the appropriate program advisor.
• Student activities associated with the curriculum, especially while students are completing his or her clinical rotations, will be educational in nature. Students will not be receiving monetary remuneration during this educational experience, nor will he or she be substituted for hired staff personnel within the clinical institution in the capacity of a pharmacy technologist.
• ALHS prefix courses must not be older than five years to be used as a prerequisite for PHAR prefix courses.
• Prior to participation in campus/clinical labs, students are required to show proof of current health insurance. Students who cannot show proof of health insurance need to be aware that clinical practicum sites may refuse to allow them the opportunity to gain clinical experience at their facility.

Guided Pathway

You may click on any course below to view the course description and prerequisite information.

Students who do not follow the Course Sequence listed below may not be able to complete the program in the number of semesters shown.

Piedmont Summerville Day Program, Spring Start

PROGRAM NAME: Pharmacy Technology

AWARD: Diploma

CAMPUS: Piedmont Summerville Day Program

Year 1 Spring Semester

Year 1 Summer Semester

Year 1 Fall Semester

Year 2 Spring Semester

Year 2 Summer Semester

Accreditation

The Pharmacy Technology diploma program offered by Augusta Technical College is accredited by ASHP (American Society for Health System Pharmacists) and ACPE (Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education) upon recommendation of the ASHP and ACPE Boards of Directors.  More information on this accrediting body can be found at www.ashp.org.  The Pharmacy Technology program at Augusta Technical College will undergo re-accreditation during the summer of 2025.