Welcome
Welcome to SCC’s Pharmacy Technician program. Pharmacy technicians play an important role in assisting licensed pharmacists in a variety of settings, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics.
You're a Good Fit for this program because . . .
Overview
The two semester program offers
students concentrated basic study and laboratory practice in pharmacy technician
fundamentals. The program teaches students the concepts, principles, skills, and
attitudes needed to become pharmacy technicians who can work with patients
throughout the lifespan. Students will have hands-on clinical experience in a
variety of facilities and are provided close supervision and guidance under a licensed pharmacist. Pharmacists serve as preceptors for clinical
experience in area hospitals, long-term care facilities and retail pharmacies.
All tuition, fees, books, and related costs are the responsibility of the
student (see estimated cost list).Mission
To provide quality career/technical and academic educational opportunities for the students, businesses and communities of our district. The program’s mission is to graduate competent, ethical and confident entry-level health care practitioners, benefiting the community at-large by providing quality pharmacy services.
The program is accredited by American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) / Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, MD 20814, 866-279-0681.
For occupational information, please visit www.ashp.org.
How to get started:
Southeast Community College is a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution.
As a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution, we are unable to offer online or distance courses to students in the following states/areas: California and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Employment Outlook
Due to the increasing number of people who are living longer and are needing medications throughout Nebraska and the nation, and the ever-increasing scope of practice within the profession, pharmacy technicians are in demand in Nebraska and the United States and will continue to be a “hot” job opportunity. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Outlook indicates that “employment” for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2022.
Recent SCC graduates report an average starting salary of $27,789. Many employers provide some type of fringe benefits and 24-hour, 7 days per week flexibility for scheduling working hours.
Programmatic Outcomes
Diploma Programs with Reduced Financial Aid Eligibility
Federal regulations [34CFR 668.8(k) and (l)] mandate that programs not leading to a degree, and all the courses within the program are not fully transferable to a higher degree, can only partially be paid by federal student aid. A specific federal formula determines the number of credits allowed to be paid by financial aid. At SCC, those programs and the number of credits eligible for federal financial aid are:
| Program | Number of Credits in the Program | Number of Credits Eligible for Financial Aid | Number of Credits Not Paid |
|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | 30 | 20 | 10 |
So, what does this mean?
If you enroll in one of the above-mentioned diploma programs, federal financial aid will not pay for the entire program. You will be responsible for the tuition and fees for the number of credits listed in the “Number of Credits Not Paid” column.
Please refer to the SCC catalog for current program requirements.
Starting Term(s)
Fall, Spring terms.
View your calendar conversion plan.
The following courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C:
Take 1 of the following courses:
SPCH-1090, SPCH 1110, SPCH 2810, ENGL-1010 or ENGL-1110
Oral Communications
Written Comm
Take BSAD-1010
Career and Life Skills
Program Requirements & Student Responsibilities
Is this program right for me?
Program Prerequisites
- Effective July 2016, the program will require that students complete ENGL and SPCH with a C+ or better before submitting an application into the program. Until then, a student will be enrolled in Pre-health.
Program Requirements
- Complete mandatory orientation (or an alternative meeting) after being accepted into the PHRM program.
- Submit a completed health statement form; a current (within one year) two-step skin test for tuberculosis and/or a chest x-ray; and a current (within one year) flu vaccination prior to being placed into a clinical site. The cost (varies) is the responsibility of the student.
- Submit a current healthcare provider CPR card prior to being placed into a clinical site. The cost (varies) is the responsibility of the student.
- Successful completion of a Criminal Background Check will be required of each student in the Pharmacy Technician program, including the Nebraska adult and child abuse registries (CBC executed by SCC). SCC will assess a non-refundable fee of $45 to the student account. Based on the outcome of the background check, a student may be prevented from taking certain courses, accessing certain laboratory experiences, or completing the program. Please note that drug-related misdemeanor or felony convictions will prevent a student from acquiring a state registration, completing clinical rotations, and graduating. Contact the State Board of Pharmacy with questions.
- Obtain an active registry with the Nebraska State Board of Pharmacy prior to being placed into a clinical site. The cost of $25 (may change without notice) is the responsibility of the student. More information will be provided at a later date. Please note that drug-related misdemeanor or felony convictions will prevent a student from acquiring a state registration, completing clinical rotations, and graduating. Contact the State Board of Pharmacy with questions.
- In state students: Obtain state of Nebraska pharmacy technician registration at the start of the third quarter of the program.
- Out of state students: Be sure to check with your state board of pharmacy to ensure that the curriculum of this program will fulfill the minimum requirements necessary for you to work as a technician in your state.
- Clinicals must be performed at SCC – approved sites.
- Students admitted to a health sciences program at SCC that requires a clinical rotation at a contracted healthcare facility will be required to submit to initial drug and alcohol testing prior to the first clinical rotation. SCC will assess a non-refundable fee of $35.00 (may change without notice) to the student account.
- Complete all courses (prerequisite and program) with a C+ or better in order to move within the program and obtain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 to graduate from the program.
Student Responsibilities in the Program
- Know contents of SCC Student Handbook for program and College.
- Perform all Essential Functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Possess computer skills and have Internet access.
- Follow all safety requirements.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding health and personal information of patient and abide by HIPAA guidelines.
- Maintain current CPR certification and immunizations.
- Play an active role in their education process.
- Maintain appropriate professional conduct in didactic, clinical, and lab settings.
- Complete all courses with a minimum grade of C+ in order to graduate with at least 2.5 GPA.