pharmacy technician

Pharmacy Programs

West currently offers certificate programs for PHARMACY CLERK, PHARMACY TECHNICIAN-Basic, PHARMACY TECHNICIAN-Advanced, and an A.S. in PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY. Job growth and demand in the pharmacy services field is very high. Pharmacy Technician is among the fastest growing occupations in California, predicted to grow more than 36% through 2016, with more than 1,550 job openings each year.

Qualified West students will be eligible for part- and full-time employment in retail, hospital, and home-care pharmacies. Pharmacy Clerks earn between $9 and $11 per hour, with experienced clerks earning more than $12 per hour. The median wage for Pharmacy Technicians in California is $35,963 annually or $17.29 hourly, with many making above $41,000 each year. West has a growing network of affiliations with retail and hospital pharmacies. Job openings are frequently posted to alert students to various job opportunities.

Students that are 18 years of age and have earned a high school diploma (or GED) meet the prerequisites for the Pharmacy Clerk and Pharmacy Technician-Basic programs. It is highly recommeneded that students have college level course work in Math 115 and English 28 with a grade of "C" or better OR completion of the college assessment examination offered in the Student Assessment Center (Building A-13). To make an appoinment with a counselor click here or call (310) 287-4478.  Before commencing the clinical portion of these programs students will be required to clear a criminal background check (approximate cost $62) and drug screen (approximate cost $22). The drug screen can be completed at the Student Health Center on campus.

For more information attend an Orientation Session on Thursday, August 27th, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm (TBA)at the West Los Angeles College in Building A9. 
back to top
 

Pharmacy Clerk Program

A Pharmacy Clerk is a non-registered, technical worker who works under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist. Our pharmacy clerk program is a one-semester, 15-week series of classes offered in both the Fall and Spring semesters. Please check the class schedule for dates and times available.

PHARMACY CLERK PROGRAM CLASS REQUIREMENTS - 8.5 UNITS TOTAL

  • PHRMCTK 21 Retail Products for Pharmacy Clerks (2.0 units)
  • PHRMCTK 23 Introduction to Pharmacy (2.0 units)
  • PHRMCTK 24 Pharmacy Skills Lab (1.0 units)
  • PHRMCTK 25 Pharmacy Clerk Clinical Experience (1.5 units) - includes 36 hours of internship at community pharmacy
  • ALD HTH 56 Communication and Customer Service Skills in Healthcare (1 unit)
  • ALD HTH 57 Computers in Health Occupations (1 unit)

Students who have not completed college level English and Math must visit the Assessment Center in building A12 on campus, take the assessment test, and place above English 20A and Math 105.
back to top
 

Pharmacy Technician Programs

A Pharmacy Technician is someone licensed by the State of California to work under pharmacist direction with broader scope of practice than a pharmacy clerk. Pharmacy Technicians prepare prescribed medication for patients, receive written prescriptions or requests for prescription refills from patients, prepare prescriptions, mix medications, and maintain patient profiles.  To work as a pharmacy technician in California, you must possess and keep current registration as a pharmacy technician.  WLAC offers a program that provides a minimum of 240 hours instruction to be qualified for the pharmacy technician registration requirements.  An applicant must be a high school graduate or possess GED equivalent.

The course sequences below show how you can begin working in the field quickly while earning credits towards a more advanced degree and more fulfilling career choices.
back to top
 

Pharmacy Technician - Basic Certificate - 2 Semesters

 

The Pharmacy Technician-Basic Certificate prepares students to work in retail pharmacies.  The certificate has been pending for approval by the California Community College Chancellor's Office.

Required Classes

Year 1 - Fall (9 units)

  • PHRMCTK 23 Introduction to Pharmacy (2 units)

  • PHRMCTK 29 Body Systems I (3 units) - Fee based course

  • PHRMCTK 31 Pharmacy Calculations (2 units) - Fee based course

  • ALD HTH 56 Communication and Customer Service in Healthcare (1 unit)

  • ALD HTH 57 Computers in Health Occupations (1 unit)

Year 1 - Winter (4.75 units)

 

  • PHRMCTK 32 Pharmacy Operations (4.75 units)

 

Year 1 - Spring (5.75 units)

  • PHRMCTK 30 Body Systems II (3 units)
  • PHRMCTK 33 Essentials of Pharmacy Skills (.5 units)
  • PHRMCTK 34 Community Pharmacy Externship (2.25 units)

Please consult the schedule of classes or stop by building A-9 for a copy of our current schedule of classes.

 
back to top
 

Pharmacy Technician - Advanced - 2 Additional Semesters

The Pharmacy Technician-Advanced Certificate meets the requirements of the Association of Health-System Pharmacists upon approval. It allows the Pharmacy Technician to work in all pharmacy settings including retail, acute care hospitals, assisted living, home care, and long term care facilities.  The certificate has been pending for approval  by the California Community College Chancellor's Office.

Required Classes

All Pharmacy Technician-Basic classes plus the following:

Year 2 - Fall (6.75 units)

  • PHRMCTK 35 In-patient Pharmacy Services (2 units)

  • PHRMCTK 37 Sterile Products (4.75 units)

Year 2 - Spring (4.50 units)

  • PHRMCTK 36 In-patient Pharmacy Services Externship (2.25 units)
  • PHRMCTK 38 Sterile Products Externship (2.25 units)
back to top
 

Pharmacy Technology A.S. Degree - 10 additional units

* This degree is pending approval by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office.

Required Classes

1. All required classes for Pharmacy Technician-Advanced
2. At least three (3.0) units from the below listed courses:

  • Pharmacy Tech 21 Retail Products (2.0 units)

  • Pharmacy Tech 25 Pharmacy Skills Laboratory (1.0 unit)

  • Allied Health 80 Pharmacy Sales Associate In-service (3.5 units)

  • Allied Health 81 Pharmacy Technician In-service (4.0 units)

  • Allied Health 82 Lead Pharmacy Technician In-service (3.5 units)

3. One of the following:

  • Psychology 1 (3 units)
  • Sociology 1 (3 units)
  • Speech 1 (3 units)
  • Nutrition 21 (3 units)

4. One of the following:

  • Biology 3A/B (4 units)
  • Physiology 1 (4 units)
  • Microbiology 1 (4 units)
  • Chemistry 51 (5 units)

Students must also satisfy the Plan B general education requirements for a minimum of 60 units as listed in the Course Catalog and Schedule of Classes.
back to top
 

After Your Coursework is Complete - Becoming Licensed to Work

Students completing either the Basic or Advanced Pharmacy Technician Certificate or obtaining an Associates Degree in Pharmacy Technology must become licensed as a Pharmacy Technician by the California State Board of Pharmacy before they are eligible to work as a pharmacy technician. Your professor will be able to help guide you through the process of becoming licensed.

To review the State requirements and download the license application from the California State Board of Pharmacy go to http://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/forms/tch_app_pkt.pdf.
back to top
 

Program Costs

The current cost of the program can be obtained by contacting the Allied Health Division. The estimated total tuition cost for the pharmacy technician basic program is approximately $1700.  (Tuition and fees are subject to change at any time.)

Additional costs for the program are:

  • A basic function calculator (approximately $20)
  • A clinic laboratory coat (approximately $35)
  • Criminal background check (approximately $62)
  • Clear drug screen (approximately $22)
  • Textbooks (approximately $150)

Financial Aid is available for qualifying students and may be used to offset these additional costs. Visit West Los Angeles College Office of Financial Aid by email at wlacfa@wlac.edu or by telephone at (310) 287-4532 for more information.

back to top