Pharmacy Technology-Certificate
Mary McHugh, Program Director
The profession of Pharmacy Technology is one of the fastest growing healthcare professions. The Bureau of
Labor Statistics projects 32% growth in the profession, which means there will be jobs out
there! (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Pharmacy-technicians.htm)
The Missoula College of University of Montana Pharmacy Technology Program offers the only ASHP-ACPE
accredited program in the state of Montana. This is becoming the national standard for Pharmacy Technology
educational programs. The 2-semester program includes internships where, after learning the appropriate,
skills, you will be able to work in pharmacies to become familiar with day-to-day operations. After successful
completion of the 2-semester course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Applied Science in Pharmacy
Technology. The didactic portion of the program is offered online.
Admission
Admission to the Pharmacy Technology Program is competitive. Applications are due either April 1st unless
April 1st is during Spring Break. In that case, applications are due the first Monday in April following Spring
Break. April applications are for admission into the subsequent fall semester. Applications may be
downloaded from this site. Please contact the program director with any questions about the application prior
to the due date.
Please note that you will need to register as a technician-in-training with the Montana State Board of Pharmacy
once you have been accepted into the program. Please review the application to ensure that you qualify.
http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/bsd_boards/pha_board/pdf/pharmacy_tech_training_app.pdf
Course Work
The Pharmacy Technology Program is streamlined, so that if you have college-level skills in math, writing,
and computers, you may complete all course work in 2 semesters. Documentation of your skills will
accomplished by completion of assessments in math and writing, and by a challenge of the CAPP 120 Intro to
Computers course. The assessments provide you with a score that indicates if there is a need for
developmental courses, and which courses would be the most appropriate for your skill level.
For More Details
Read the Pharmacy Technology Application and see the UM Course Catalog, to learn
more about the Certificate of Applied Science in Pharmacy Technology.
Pharmacy Technology Certificate
Mary McHugh, Program Director
The American Society of Health System Pharmacists/Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education
(ASHP/ACPE) - accredited Pharmacy Technology Program at the University of Montana-Missoula College
prepares students to function in hospital-based pharmacies, community pharmacies, and a number of other
types of pharmacies. The two-semester program includesonline classes, lab, and experiential learning
opportunities. Lab and experiential hours allow students to integrate their didactic knowledge into the practical
setting. Students are required to rotate to experiential sites and some may not be close to your home.
Transportation and housing are the student's responsibility.
The Pharmacy Technology Program is an autumn entry program. Applicants to the Pharmacy Technology
program must complete the program specific application packet which can be obtained on the UM Missoula
College Pharmacy Technology webpage. Please note that application deadlines are also found on the program
webpage. Generally, applications to the program are due April 1 during the spring semester prior to the autumn
semester program start. Documentation of required math and writing assessments must be included in the
application packet. Transcripts are not accepted in place of the assessments. Students should place in Level 3
or higher in the ALEKS Math Assessment, and should attain a 7 or better on the E-Write Assessment, or
provide alternate assessment scores as instructed in the application packet. Students who do not score high
enough on assessments should consult with an advisor to arrange enrollment in the necessary courses to build
their skills. Students must either complete Intro to Computers (CAPP 120) or pass the challenge for CAPP 120
prior to enrollment in the Pharmacy Technology Program. The challenge is offered several times each year.
Instructions for scheduling the challenge and assessments are found in the application on the program website.
Once accepted into the program, all students are expected to register with the State of Montana as Pharmacy
Technicians in Training. Please note the requirements of registration as a Pharmacy Technician in Training
found on the application form on the Montana State Board of Pharmacy
website:http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/bsd_boards/pha_board/pdf/pha_tech.pdf
Students must complete the required autumn PHAR classes with a B or higher to proceed to the spring
semester. If a student does not pass the required courses with a B or better, he/she will not be able to continue
in the program and will need to apply for readmission. A student may take any required course a maximum of
two (2) times.
After successfully completing the program, students are awarded a Certificate of Applied Science and are well
prepared for and encouraged to sit for the national technician certification examination such as offered through
the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Some students may be prepared to take the PTCE as
early as December of the first semester of the program, so that they may complete their experiential training as
certified Pharmacy Technicians rather than Certified Technicians in Training.
Conviction of a crime (misdemeanor or felony) could leave an individual ineligible for participation in the
certifying test and/or becoming registered in Montana as a certified pharmacy technician. Background checks
are required prior to internships. Additionally, the Montana State Board of Pharmacy Application for
Pharmacy Technician Registration includes a number of questions regarding personal history, including but
not limited to criminal charges. Please contact the PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification
Board),www.ptcb.org, and the Montana State Board of Pharmacy
(http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/bsd_boards/pha_board/board_page.asp) if this is a potential problem.
Current salary range in Montana is from $7 per hour to $20 per hour, depending on employer, job duties, and
experience.
Certificate of Applied Science - Pharmacy Technology
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Missoula College
Catalog Year: 2015-2016
Degree Specific Credits: 30
Required Cumulative GPA: 3.0
Note: Math: Placement into Level 3 using a proctored ALEKS assessment
Writing: Score of 7 on the E-Write assessment
Computers: Completion of CAPP 120 Introduction to Computers or challenge test
Degree Core Courses
Rule: Complete all courses
Note: AHMS 144 May be taken before application to the program.
There are two different sections of PHAR 198 and both are required to receive the certificate.
Show All Course
Course
Descriptions
AHMS 144 - Medical Terminology
Show Description Offered every term. Introduction to a medical word building system using
Greek and Latin word roots, combining forms, suffixes, and prefixes.
Credits
3 Credits
PHAR 100 - Intro Pharm Practice for Techs
Offered autumn. Prereq., admission into Pharmacy Technology
program. This course offers information regarding careers in pharmacy. It
includes the history of pharmacy practice and defines roles of personnel
relating to pharmaceutical services. Ethical standards of the occupation and
federal and state laws regulating pharmacy practice with emphasis on
Montana State Pharmacy Law regulating pharmacy technicians are studied.
Show Description
Day-to-day operations including preparation, maintenance, and storage of
pharmaceuticals and records, and basic concepts of computer operations and
latest technologies are reviewed. Skills will be developed with are necessary
for the pharmacy technician to communicate effectively in the following
ways: 1) as a representative of the profession of pharmacy, 2) as an
intermediary between the pharmacist and patient, and 3) as an intermediary
between the pharmacist and other health care professionals.
3 Credits
PHAR 101 - Pharmacy Calculations
Offered autumn. Calculations used in pharmacy practice; includes various
Show Description
systems of weights and measures, dosage determinations, percentage
preparations, reducing and enlarging formulas, dilution, and concentration.
3 Credits
PHAR 102 - Pharmacology for Technicians
Offered autumn. Prereq., admission into Pharmacy Technology program.
Show Description
Study of the properties, reactions, and therapeutic value of the primary agents
in the major drug classes.
6 Credits
PHAR 104 - Pharmacy Dispensing Lab
Offered autumn. Prereq., admission into Pharmacy Technology Program.
Show Description
Develop dispensing and distributive skills with hands-on lab, and lecture
format.
4 Credits
PHAR 120 - Medication Safety
Offered spring online only. Prereq., PHAR 100, 101, 102, 104 and second
semester standing in Pharmacy Technology Program. This course will
Show Description introduce students to national safety initiatives developed by the Institute of
Medicine, The Joint Commission, The Institute of Safe Medicine Practices
and others. This awareness will help students become part of the solution in
promoting safe medication practices.
3 Credits
PHAR 198 - Internship: Pharmacy
Offered spring. Prereq., PHAR 100, 101, 102, 104 and second semester
standing in Pharmacy Technology Program. Training and experience in either
Show Description
hospital, compounding, home infusion, nursing home or other alternative
pharmacy settings under supervision of a pharmacist. Emphasizes special
skills unique to that pharmacy setting.
4 Credits