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Pharmacy Technician
Day and Evening Classes NOW Available!
Entry Requirements:
High school diploma or equivalent
Minimum 2.0 GPA for any college work
Complete the Entry-Level C.T.C. in just two semesters, or take one additional semester to complete the Advanced-Level C.T.S.
Program Overview
The Pharmacy Technician Program provides both academic and clinical education in pharmacy practices. The objective of the program is to provide the healthcare community with quality technicians. Pharmacy Technicians work under the supervision of licensed pharmacists.
The Pharmacy Technician Program has two levels: Entry-Level (C.T.C.) and Advanced-Level (C.T.S).
Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician: Certificate of Technical Competency (C.T.C.)
The Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician program prepares students for practice as Entry-level pharmacy technicians in a variety of contemporary settings (e.g., community, hospital, home care, long-term care) and has students acquire knowledge, skills, behaviors, and abilities needed for such practice.
Program Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of a C.T.C. Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician Program, students will be able to:
- Apply critical thinking skills related to math, pharmacology, and pharmacy operations needed for an entry-level pharmacy technician.
- Apply the communication and customer service skills needed for interactions with patients and other healthcare professionals.
- Accurately perform pharmaceutical calculations applicable to an entry-level pharmacy technician position in community and institutional pharmacy settings.
- Apply the laws governing the practice of pharmacy at the state and federal levels.
- Transcribe, fill, and distribute prescriptions for medications in both the community and institutional pharmacy settings under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
At the completion of the Entry-Level Program students will be prepared to take a national certification examination provided as required by the Louisiana State Board of Pharmacy.
Advanced-Level Pharmacy Technician Program: Certificate of Technical Studies (C.T.S.)
The Advanced-Level Pharmacy Technician program prepares students for practice as Advanced-level pharmacy technicians, in a broad range of advanced roles in a variety of contemporary settings (e.g., community, hospital, home care, long-term care) and has students acquire additional knowledge, skills, behaviors, and abilities beyond those of the Entry-level pharmacy technician, needed for such advanced practice.
Program Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of a C.T.S. Advanced-Level Pharmacy Technician Program, students will be able to:
- Accurately perform advanced pharmaceutical calculations required of an Advanced-Level pharmacy technician.
- Prepare compounded medications, including sterile preparations and moderate and high level non-sterile compounding per applicable, current USP Chapters and while applying best practice.
- Demonstrate critical thinking in matters of conflict resolution, teamwork, customer service, and supervision of other pharmacy technician personnel.
- Collaborate with the pharmacy team, under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, in the administration of the patient care process, including medication therapy management, handling of investigational drugs, and inventory control.
Official Advanced Level Program Description in the College Catalog
Official Entry Level Program Description in the College Catalog
Estimated Costs of the Program
Pharmacy Technician students pay the same tuition and fees each term as other credit students enrolled in the college. For more information, visit the Financial Information page in the college catalog.
In addition to tuition and fees, there are additional expenses to complete the program. For a detailed explanation of these costs, download the list of expenses.
Accreditation
Delgado’s Pharmacy Technician Program is accredited by ASHP/ACPE (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists/Accreditation Council for
Pharmacy Education), 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, MD 20814; 1-866-279-0681.
Jobs Outlook
Job Environment
Pharmacy technicians work primarily in pharmacies, including those found in grocery and drug stores. Some technicians work in hospitals or other healthcare facilities. Pharmacy technicians spend most of the workday on their feet.
Work Schedules
Most pharmacy technicians work full time. Pharmacies may be open at all hours. Therefore, pharmacy technicians may have to work nights or weekends.
Estimated Earnings (2014 Data)
| Location | Pay Period | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Hourly | $10.58 | $15.26 | $22.58 |
| Yearly | $22,000 | $31,750 | $46,980 | |
| Louisiana | Hourly | $10.40 | $14.35 | $19.58 |
| Yearly | $21,620 | $29,860 | $40,730 | |
| New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA | Hourly | $10.15 | $13.87 | $19.20 |
| Yearly | $21,120 | $28,850 | $39,940 |
Program Success Information
National Certification (CPhT)
Delgado Pharmacy Technician prepares completers of the Entry-Level Program to take a national certification examination. Students sit for the exam during the final week of classes.
5 year average Pass Rate: 94.3%
| Academic Year | Number of Graduates | Success on PTCE 1st Attempt | Success on PTCE 2nd Attempt | Program Pass Rate | Louisiana Pass Rate (PTCE) | National Pass Rate (PTCE) | Louisiana Pass Rate (ExCPT) | National Pass Rate (ExCPT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-2020 | 17 | 16 | 94.1% | 44% | 56% | 62% | 72% | |
| 2018-2019 | 15 | 13 | 86.7% | 45% | 58% | 68% | 66% | |
| 2017-2018 | 19 | 16 | 2 | 94.7% | 45% | 58% | 46.2% (6 mo) |
64% (6 mo) |
| 2016-2017 | 21 | 20 | 0 | 92.5% | 45% | 58% | ||
| 2015-2016 | 16 | 16 | n/a | 100% | 50% | 60% |
As of Jan 1, 2018 the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy (LABP) has approved two organizations which administer pharmacy technician certification examinations: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) which administers the PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam) and National Healthcareer Association (NHA) which administers the ExCPT exam. Delgado graduates have been offered the opportunity to choose which either exam; to date, all have chosen to complete the PTCE.
Prior to January 2018, LABP required the PTCE.
Pioneer Rx Pharmacy Software
The Delgado Pharmacy Technician Program partners with PioneerRx Pharmacy Software. PioneerRx enhances our curriculum with a hands-on approach to learning that simulates the functions and workflow of in a pharmacy. For more information about the software, visit PioneerRX.com.
Students will simulate prescription processing, which includes (but is not limited to):
- Entering new prescriptions
- Verifying patient information; including mediation history, allergies, disease states, and drug interactions
- Entering new patients and providers to a database
- Entering insurance information
- Create labels for filling
- Simulation of adjudication of insurance