Pharmacy Technology

(1 year)
Pharmacy Technology, A.T.C.Certificate
Pharmacy Technology, B.T.C.Certificate
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Program Overview

The Pharmacy Technology program prepares graduates for positions working under the supervision of a licensed and registered pharmacist in retail and institutional settings. Students completing the program will have a basic understanding of human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacy law and ethics, and the therapeutic classification and use of the top 200 prescription drugs. They will also become conversant with such activities as: the interpretation of prescriptions, ordering product preparation, stocking, inventory control, billing, and customer relations. The program provides both classroom and online instruction, laboratory demonstrations and skills practice, and two practicum placements in the community.

The Pharmacy Technology program accepts 12 to 14 students each fall semester. Students joining that cohort must hold a high school diploma or GED, and have already completed prerequisite coursework in the following areas: an overview of working in Health Care; keyboarding and basic computer skills; human anatomy and physiology, and math computations in allied health fields. A criminal background check and drug screening are also required.  

Program Detail

American Society of Hospital Pharmacists Logo

PTCB Recognized Education Training Program

  • Accepts students in August

  • Requires 1 year to complete (Fall semester, Spring semester, and Summer term).

  • Divided into three components: seated and online instruction, laboratory demonstrations and practice, and practicum/ externship placements.

  • Practicum/ externship placements may require working evening or weekend hours.

  • Upon successful completion of the program, the student is prepared to sit for the Pharmacy Technician National Certification Exam.

  • Each course must be completed with a C or better before the student can progress in the program.

  • The Pharmacy Technology program is nationally accredited through the ASHP/ACPE Regulations of Pharmacy Technicians training programs.  ASHP sets the standards to protect the public, serve as a guide for pharmacy technician education and development, provide the criteria for evaluations of new and established training programs along with promoting continuous improvement established programs. 


  • The Pharmacy Technology program is a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program.  PTCB 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.  Education/training programs that are ASHP/ACPE and/or ABHES-accredited, and other programs that submit an attestation form for PTCB recognition, are accepted as PTCB-recognized for the CPhT Program. 

  • The Pharmacy Technology program is a licensed training facility for both sterile and non sterile compounding through NPTA. The National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA), which was founded in 1999, is the largest professional trade association for pharmacy technicians in the world. The association represents over 80,000 individuals practicing in a diverse variety of practice settings, including community pharmacy, health-system pharmacy, federal pharmacy services, purchasing and education, among others.

  • For more information please visit https://www.isu.edu/pharmacytechnology/

Degree Options

  • Basic Technical Certificate
  • Advanced Technical Certificate

Career Opportunities

  • Retail or other ambulatory settings

  • Hospital or other institutional settings

Faculty

PHTC Courses