Certificate of Proficiency | 20 credits 

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Program Description
The Pharmacy Technician program prepares students to support pharmacists by performing a wide range of practice-related duties for community, institutional, compounding, long-term care, mail-order, and other pharmaceutical settings. Students learn the most common medications, calculate dosages, process prescriptions, bill third-party insurance, learn aseptic techniques, and prepare sterile and non-sterile compounded medications. Students receive extensive hands-on training in the lab area using advanced pharmacy technology.

Career Opportunities
According to the occupation outlook posted by the Utah Department of Workforce Services, employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 43,500 openings for pharmacy technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Demand for pharmacy services is expected to increase because of the large number of older people, who typically use more prescription medicines than younger people. Higher rates of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, among all age groups also will lead to increased demand for prescription medications.

Gainful Employment
The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $36,740 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,740, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $47,580.

In May 2021, the median annual wages for pharmacy technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

• Hospitals; state, local, and private $38,270
• Food and beverage stores $36,090
• Pharmacies and drug stores $35,940

Most pharmacy technicians work full time. Pharmacies may be open at all hours. Therefore, pharmacy technicians may have to work nights or weekends.

Transfer/Articulation Information
USHE has mandated technical program alignment 0f all pharmacy technician programs offered at USHE institutions. All program courses (except one regional specific course) will articulate with other pharmacy technician programs. 

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx
Books: $300.00
Supplies: $50.00
Course Fees: $1470.00
Other (specify): Licensure $50.00, Testing $130.00, immunizations variable

Program Entry Requirements

• Minimum age 18 years with a high school diploma or GED.
• A valid Social Security number is required or externship.
• Recent (2 years) math courses with grade C or higher or self-placement though the testing center. Admission pre-requisite of completion of ENGL 900 with a C or higher or selfdirected placement recommendation into ENGL 990 and completion of MATH 920 or self-directed placement into MATH 990.   
• Students must set up an American DataBank Complio account for criminal background, drug screening and compliance package for immunization tracking. 

Specialized Program Accreditation
Accredited by American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) and  Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)