Pharmacy Technology, Diploma (PT22) Diploma
Required Prerequisites
The Pharmacy Technology Degree is designed to provide an individual with the entry level skills required for success in a retail pharmacy or a hospital-based pharmacy department. Learning opportunities develop academic and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and replacement. Graduates are prepared to function as pharmacy technicians in positions requiring preparations of medications according to prescription under the supervision of a pharmacist.
This program qualifies for the HOPE Career Grant.
Program Outcomes: Upon graduation, students will acquire the knowledge to pass the National Pharmacy Technician Certification exam. They will accurately calculate medication dosages, apply critical thinking in patient care scenarios, and collect, organize, and evaluate information for medication management. Students will assist in preventing medication errors, identify drug classifications for common diseases, and compound medications for oral and external use under pharmacist supervision. They will also prepare sterile compounded medications under the supervision of a registered pharmacist (RPh).
Careers: Pharmacy Technicians are trained to work in three main pharmacy career fields: Community Setting (Retail), Hospital, and Home Health.
Start Terms:
- This program begins every other semester on the Valdosta campus: Spring 2025, Fall 2025, Summer 2026, etc.
Admission Requirements:
Program-Specific Admission Requirements:
- While the Pharmacy Technology program offers open enrollment, students must first successfully complete MATH 1012 with a grade of 'C' or better before they can register for courses with the Pharmacy Technology prefix (PHAR).
- To enroll in PHAR classes, students must maintain good academic standing at Wiregrass; those on academic warning, probation, or suspension are ineligible. Additionally, all registration holds must be cleared for registration eligibility.
- Students are encouraged to complete the following courses prior to the occupational portion of the program: ENGL 1010, PSYC 1010, ALHS 1011, ALHS 1040, ALHS 1090, COMP 1000.
- Students must obtain a Pharmacy Technician License from the Georgia Board of Pharmacy to participate in the practicum portion of the program.
Program Information
- The Pharmacy Technology program operates on a cohort basis, requiring students to take PHAR classes as prescribed by the program.
- Health Science students must meet additional requirements. See the Health Science Program Advising Packet for more information.
- Clinical experience is required to complete the program, and students must meet all clinical requirements defined by the clinical facility. No student will be denied admissions to a program due to these requirements; however, the clinical partner requirement may prevent a student from completing the program. Clinical requirements may include, but not limited to, some or all of the following: American Heart Association Provider CPR certification, physical examination or proof of ability to perform required duties, Tuberculin skin test, up-to-date immunizations, mandatory vaccinations, and/or titers. A criminal background check and drug screen are required prior to performing the clinical rotation. Students unable to meet clinical requirements may not be able to graduate from the program. Alternate clinical locations may not be offered or available if a student is unable to meet clinical requirements.
Program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists in collaboration with Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ASHP/ACPE).
4500 East-West Highway
Suite 900
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
(301) 664-8612
Georgia Board of Pharmacy
Florida Board of Pharmacy
**The Georgia Board of Pharmacy does not approve registrations for individuals who are currently on criminal probation for offenses including, but not limited to: theft, fraud, forgery, providing a false name, any crime of moral turpitude, or any crime related to substance abuse. In limited circumstances, the Georgia Board of Pharmacy may approve registrations for individuals who are on criminal probation for minor traffic offenses. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not considered a minor traffic offense.**
Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Pass Rate (Summer 2021-Spring 2024): 93%
Program cost, current salary trends, and career outlook can be found in the Pharmacy Technology Student Handbook.
| General Core Courses | 9 |
|---|---|
| ENGL 1010Fundamentals of English I
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Diploma Level Reading and Writing Scores OR READ 0090 and/or ENGL 0090 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills. |
3 |
| MATH 1012Foundations of Mathematics
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Diploma Level Math Scores or MATH 0090 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, geometric concepts, technical applications, and basic statistics. |
3 |
| PSYC 1010Basic Psychology
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social psychology. |
3 |
| Occupational Courses | 47 |
|---|---|
| ALHS 1011Structure and Function of the Human Body
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 5 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system. |
5 |
| ALHS 1040Introduction to Health Care
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Introduces a grouping of fundamental principles, practices, and issues common in the health care profession. In addition to the essential skills, students explore various delivery systems and related issues. Topics include: basic life support/CPR, basic emergency care/first aid and triage, vital signs, infection control/blood and air-borne pathogens. |
3 |
| ALHS 1090Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy. |
2 |
| PHAR 1000Pharmaceutical Calculations
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 4 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): MATH 1012 or MATH 1111, COLL 1010 Co-requisite(s): None This course develops knowledge and skills in pharmaceutical calculations procedures. Topics include: systems of measurement, medication dispensing calculations, pharmacy mathematical procedures, and calculation tools and techniques. |
4 |
| PHAR 1010Pharmacy Technology Fundamentals
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 4 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Provides an overview of the pharmacy technology field and develops the fundamental concepts and principles necessary for successful participation in the pharmacy field. Topics include: safety, orientation to the pharmacy technology field, Fundamental principles of chemistry, basic laws of chemistry, ethics and laws, definitions and terms, and reference sources. |
5 |
| PHAR 1020Principles of Dispensing Medications
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): PHAR 1000, PHAR 1010 This course introduces the student to principles of receiving, storing, and dispensing medications. Topics include: purchasing, packaging, and labeling drugs; pharmacy policies and procedures; documentation; inventory and filing systems; compounding; storage and control; pharmacy equipment; and health care organizational structure. This course provides laboratory and clinical practice. |
4 |
| PHAR 1030Principles of Sterile Medication Preparation
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): PHAR 1000, PHAR 1010 Co-requisite(s): PHAR 1040, PHAR 1050 Continues the development of student knowledge and skills in preparing medication, processing glassware, and maintaining an aseptic environment. Topics include: aseptic and sterile techniques, parenteral admixtures, hyperalimentation, chemotherapy, filtering, disinfecting, contamination, ophthalmic preparations, infection control, and quality control. |
4 |
| PHAR 1040Pharmacology
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 4 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): PHAR 1030, PHAR 1050 The course introduces the students to principles and knowledge about all classifications of medication. Topics include: disease states and treatment modalities, pharmaceutical side effects and drug interactions, control substances, specific drugs, and drug addiction and abuse. |
4 |
| PHAR 1050Pharmacy Technology Practicum
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 15 Pre-requisite(s): PHAR 1000, PHAR 1010 Co-requisite(s): PHAR 1030, PHAR 1040 Orients students to the clinical environment and provides experiences with the basic skills necessary for the pharmacy technician. Topics include: storage and control, documentation, inventory and billing, community practice, institutional practice, and communication, |
5 |
| PHAR 2060Advanced Pharmacy Technology Principles
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): COMP 2000 or COLL 1010, PHAR 1030, PHAR 1050 Co-requisite(s): PHAR 2070 This course presents the advanced concepts and principles needed in the pharmacy technology field. Topics include: physician orders, patient profiles, pharmacy data systems, job readiness, legal requirements, inventory and billing, pharmaceutical calculations review and pharmacology review. |
3 |
| PHAR 2070Advanced Pharmacy Technology Practicum
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 15 Pre-requisite(s): COMP 2000 or COLL 1010, PHAR 1030, PHAR 1050 Co-requisite(s): PHAR 2060 Continues the development of student knowledge and skills applicable to pharmacy technology practice. Topics include: dispensing responsibilities, physician orders, controlled substances, hyperalimentation, chemotherapy, patient profiles, pharmacy data systems, ophthalmic preparations, and hospital/retail/home health pharmacy techniques. |
5 |
| COMP 1000Introduction to Computer Literacy
Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture -1.667; Lab – 2.667 Pre-Requisites: None Co-Requisite: None This course introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include introductions to computer and digital terminology and usage, operating systems, Internet and digital communication, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database applications, and presentation applications. Please note that this course may not transfer to a 4-year institution. Students should check with their transferring institution for transferability of courses. COMP 2000 may be taken in place of COMP 1000 if it is required by a transferring institution. |
3 |
Faculty
Pharmacy Technology Program Coordinator
Valdosta Campus
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Programs of Study
Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog
The information in this College Catalog and Student Handbook accurately reflects current policies and procedures at the time of publication. Students are admitted to the College under and are subject to the provisions of the WGTC Catalog and Student Handbooks for the term they initially enroll. Students in all programs are admitted under and are subject to the provisions of the College Catalog and Student Handbook and applicable addendums for the term they are admitted to the program at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. If for any reason a break in enrollment occurs, students must reapply and satisfy the College Catalog and Student Handbook requirements for the term of their re-entry to any program. The provisions of this catalog are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and the student. The College reserves the right to change any provision or requirement at any time.
