Program Information

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to increase by 6% between 2022 and 2032.1 Currently, Pharmacy technicians need a high school diploma or equivalent and learn duties through on the job training or a postsecondary education program such as Central Arizona College’s Pharmacy Technician program. According to the American Healthcare Association, 2024, requirement for industry-recognized certification continues to increase, most significantly for Pharmacy Technicians, who are now required to have certification by 92% of employers. Some employers also require Pharmacy Technician License applicants to be nationally certified through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) upon initial application or subsequent renewal.

Entry Level Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists to dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals and work in retail pharmacies or hospitals. Central Arizona College’s Pharmacy Technician program trains students to be entry level Pharmacy Technicians who work in retail pharmacies. A Pharmacy Technician’s duties include collecting information needed to fill a prescription from customers or health professionals, measuring amounts of medication for prescriptions, packaging and labeling prescriptions, organizing inventory, and alerting pharmacists to any shortages of medication. Additional duties include entering information into a database using a computer, answering phone calls and arranging for the pharmacist to answer customer questions.

Pharmacy Technician Skills

Central Arizona College Pharmacy Technician students learn customer service skills, listening skills, communications skills, math skills, organizational skills and become meticulous in their approach to medication management. An entry level certificate is awarded when completing the program which requires courses in Biology, Communication, and Pharmacy Technician specific courses. Supervised training in a retail pharmacy is provided in the final practicum class of the program.

Mission Statement:

Arizona’s Leading Choice for Quality Pharmacy Education by:

• Teaching Safe and Ethical Concepts
• Reaching Culturally Diverse Populations in our Community
• Understanding trends in the Pharmacy and HealthCare industry
• Empowering Student Learning through Technology

Purpose Statement:

Create a safe pharmacy and healthcare community through quality pharmacy technician education.

Departmental Strengths and Values:

• Accountability to Uphold Community Standards
• Compassionate Customer Service
• Trust
• Integrity
• Value patient safety
• Engagement in continuous improvement

COST ESTIMATE FOR THE PHARMACY TECHNICIAN PROGRAM

PHT 101, 102, 150, 164, and 175 (practicum) (21 credits x $75) ——$1575.00
BIO 160 (4 credits x $75) ———————————————————– $300.00
Liability Insurance ———————————————————————-$25.00
Didactic learning resources ——————————————————- $550.00
Background check ——————————————————————– $139.00
Uniform (Scrubs) approximate —————————————————– $70.00
Physical and Immunizations approximate ———————————— $100.00
CPR and First Aid Card approximate ——————————————— $45.00
Technician Trainee License ———————————————————- $46.00
Total Estimated Cost of Pharmacy Technician Program —————$2850.00

*Fees are subject to change by the Central Arizona Community Colleges Governing Board. All costs quoted are subject to change.

Students must take the courses in sequence according to the program of study/Program Sequencing Map. All courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Skill classes must be completed the semester immediately prior to the practicum. Skills courses may only be taken once and the student must earn a grade of “C” or better in each course.

How do I get started?

1. Apply to Central Arizona College for admission
2. You may be required to take a college placement exam and/or bring with you a copy of your unofficial transcript from an accredited college.
3. Contact the Pharmacy Technician Director for advisement and course registration: jeremy.sasser@centralaz.edu
4. Complete PHT program Application Pharmacy Technician Program Application