Certificate of Applied Science - Pharmacy Technology
Degree Specific Credits: 30
Credits Delivered Online: 19
Mary McHugh, Program Director
Pharmacy Technicians are in high demand in all areas of the profession, including but not limited to hospital
pharmacies, retail pharmacies and compounding pharmacies. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 20%
growth in the profession from 2012 to 2020. (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Pharmacy-technicians.htm)
Program Delivery:
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This is the only ASHP-ACPE accredited program in the state of Montana
You may earn this certificate online with the exception of 2 courses:
o PHAR 104 3 cr Lab (90 hours of hands on experience)
o PHAR 198 8 cr Externship (two 160 hour externships in Montana pharmacies)
Should you apply?
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Do you have college level skills in math, writing, and computer skills as determined by the
Missoula College admissions assessments?
o Math Assessment: ALEKs placement into Level 3
o Writing Assessment: E-Write score of 6 or better
o Computers: successfully pass or challenge of CAPP 120 Intro to Computers
Are you able to work at a job where you must stand most of the day?
Are you able to pay attention to detail and remember drug names and related information?
Do you have the dexterity and vision to manipulate small quantities of medications in syringes?
Are you able to effectively communicate in person and by phone?
Do you qualify to become registered with the Montana State Board of Pharmacy as a technician
in training and as a certified technician?
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Will you pass a criminal background check as required to participate in this program?
Note: if you need to work on any of the above skills, please visit with your advisor to sign up for courses that will
help prepare you for this program.
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. 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.
How to Apply:
The application is due by April 10 for admission into the next fall semester. Please contact the program
director with any questions about the application.
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 registration requirements to ensure that you
qualify: http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/bsd_boards/pha_board/pdf/pharmacy_tech_training_app.pdf . This
registration is available online: https://ebiz.mt.gov/pol/
Course Sequence:
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.
Note that you may take AHMS 144 Medical Terminology at any time prior to or during the program:
Fall Semester:
PHAR 100 Intro to Pharmacy Practice 3 cr
PHAR 101 Calculations 3 cr
PHAR 102 Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians 6 cr
PHAR 104 Dispensing Lab 3 cr
You must attain a “B” or better in all Fall Courses to move on to Spring Semester. You may take any required
course a maximum of two (2) times.
Spring Semester
PHAR 120 Medication Safety 3 cr
PHAR 121 Prep for PTCB Exam 1 cr
PHAR 198 Externships 8 cr
AHMS 144 Medical Terminology 3 cr
You may also attend part-time. If you are considering part-time attendance, this is the required sequence of
classes. You may take AHMS 144 Medical Terminology any time before or during these classes:
Fall Semester 1:
PHAR 101 Calculations 3 cr
PHAR 102 Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians 6 cr
Fall Semester 2:
PHAR 100 Intro to Pharmacy Practice 3 cr
PHAR 104 Dispensing Lab 3 cr
Spring Semester to follow Fall Semester 2:
PHAR 120 Medication Safety 3 cr
PHAR 121 Prep for PTCB Exam 1 cr
PHAR 198 Externships 8 cr
Student Outcomes:
After successfully completing the program, you will be awarded a Certificate of Applied Science. To
complete the program, you are required to sit for the national technician certification examination offered
through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). You may be prepared to take the PTCE as
in advance of your internships, although it is not required. Once you pass the PTCE, you are eligible to
change your registration with the State Board of Pharmacy from a Pharmacy Technician in Training to a
Certified Pharmacy Technician.
Current salary range in Montana is from minimum wage to $20 per hour, depending on employer, job
duties, and experience.
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
Show Description PHAR 101 - Pharmacy Calculations
3 Credits
Offered autumn. Calculations used in pharmacy practice; includes various
systems of weights and measures, dosage determinations, percentage
preparations, reducing and enlarging formulas, dilution, and concentration.
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.
3 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 121-Prep for PTCB Exam
Offered winter session online only. Prereq: PHAR 100, 101,102,104 and
second semester standing in Pharmacy Technology Program. This course will
Show Description offer strategies for taking tests as well as review and refresh knowledge with
regard to the topics covered on the PTCE to assist with taking the Pharmacy
Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).
:
1 Credit
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
hospital, compounding, home infusion, nursing home or other alternative
Show Description pharmacy settings under supervision of a pharmacist. Emphasizes special
skills unique to that pharmacy 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.
4 Credits