Pharmacy

The practice of Pharmacy is focused on ensuring the safe and effective use of medications through a pharmacy team comprised of both Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians. Pharmacists use their professional judgment as a vital part of the health care team by providing input and expertise into monitoring patient care therapies. Pharmacy Technicians work in various practice settings under the direct supervision of pharmacists and assist pharmacists in preparing and dispensing oral, topical, intravenous, and other prescription medications to patients or other healthcare professionals. Educational options at Schoolcraft College in the professional field of pharmacy include:

Pharmacy Technician Skills Certificate (Entry-level Pharmacy Technician): An entry-level Pharmacy Technician receives training in a single practice setting. In a community pharmacy setting, such as drug stores, or an institutional setting, such as a hospital, pharmacy technicians will assist pharmacists in entering patient data into a computerized database, as well as preparing and dispensing medications. Additional responsibilities of a pharmacy technician in a community practice setting may include billing for medications, understanding and applying insurance requirements for billing of patient medications or supplies, interacting with patients, and working as an integral part of the pharmacy team. Additional responsibilities of a pharmacy technician working in an institutional practice setting may include making medications that are administered to patients intravenously. The Pharmacy Technician Skills Certificate will allow the students to select coursework for either the community or institutional practice setting. This coursework will prepare the student to work in their chosen pharmacy environment through a combination of classroom learning, simulation lab training, and hands-on experience. After completing the course requirements of the Skills Certificate program, the student will be eligible and prepared to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam, that if successfully passed, will earn the student national Certification as a pharmacy technician. After earning Certification, the student is then eligible to apply for licensure as a pharmacy technician in the State of Michigan. This program is nationally accredited by the Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission which is a collaborative effort between the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

To enroll in the Pharmacy Technician Skills Certificate program, students will need to meet admission requirements as described in the Admissions Packet for this program.

Pharmacy Technician Certificate (Advanced-level Pharmacy Technician): An advanced-level Pharmacy Technician receives expanded training for any practice setting and beginning, managerial skills for supervisory positions. This program will build upon those skills learned in the Skills Certificate program and prepare students to work as a pharmacy technician in any practice setting, including a community, hospital, compounding, or specialty pharmacy. Students who complete this program will have completed the first requirement of eligibility to become recognized as a PTCB Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician. To become recognized as a PTCB Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician, completion of (or enrollment in) a PTCB-recognized sterile compounding training program and one year of full-time continuous compounded sterile preparation (CSP) work experience, is required. These advanced-level practice settings require additional skills that will be taught in this program through a combination of classroom learning, simulation lab training, and hands-on experience. Students who are currently licensed as a pharmacy technician, may be eligible to apply their work experience toward the completion of this certificate. This program is nationally accredited by the Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission which is a collaborative effort between the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

To enroll in the Pharmacy Technician Certificate program, students will need to meet admission requirements as described in the Admissions Packet for this program.

Health Professionals Management Associate of Applied Science for Pharmacy Technicians: Any student wishing to pursue an Associate Degree can apply all credits from the Pharmacy Technician Skills Certificate or Certificate programs toward an Associate of Health Professionals Management for Pharmacy Technicians degree. This degree may be desirable for students seeking to expand their knowledge and skills, and potentially lead to Pharmacy Technician supervisory roles. Students may be eligible to earn credits for professional experiences and previously completed courses.
Associate of Science in Pre-Pharmacy: This Pre-Pharmacy associate degree is comprised of courses that are required for a student to apply to a college of pharmacy; a majority of Pre-pharmacy courses in this degree program are designed to be transferrable to a university pharmacy program. Students should consult with an academic advisor to ensure that their Schoolcraft courses will transfer to the desired university pharmacy program. Pharmacists can find positions in a variety of settings, such as community pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and armed services. They can also find employment in academic, research, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and public health organizations.

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