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Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technician

Degree Type: Associate of Applied Science Degree, AAS, Certificate, CER

Pathway: Health Sciences

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Secure your spot in the classes you need for Fall 2024 at Pikes Peak State College today, and take the next step towards achieving your academic and career goals!

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Please note: 

The Pharmacy Technician Associate of Applied Science degree will be discontinued and is no longer admitting new students after the Spring 2025 semester. Pikes Peak State College is committed to supporting our current AAS Pharmacy Technician students through their graduation until the end of Spring 2027. 

 

 

Why choose pharmacy technician at ppsc?

Ready to start a career helping licensed pharmacists? Our program teaches you the skills needed for sterile compounding, preparing IV medications, managing drug inventory, and handling patient authorizations. As the first advanced-level nationally-accredited program in southern Colorado, we're one of the few in the state offering an associate degree. You’ll benefit from access to excellent clinical facilities, state-of-the-art labs, and highly experienced faculty. Our graduates find careers in hospitals, retail pharmacies, labs, and senior care facilities.

pharmacy tech students

what do ppsc pharmacy technician students study?

The Pharmacy Technician program at PPSC is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. It offers you comprehensive training to assist licensed pharmacists, enabling them to focus on patient education, pharmaceutical care, and medication management. 

As a PPSC Pharmacy Technician student, you will: 
  • Develop hands-on skills with clinical laboratory equipment 
  • Gain valuable on-the-job experience during your externship 
  • Train to work as part of a pharmacy team in both institutional and community settings 
  • Receive personalized instruction from experienced and caring faculty 
  • And more!

Pharmacy Technician By the Numbers

PPSC's Pharmacy Technician program delivers successful students to the workforce, and the career is highly in-demand.

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Pass Rate

Since 2011 PPSC’s Pharmacy Technician Program has achieved a 99% pass rate for program graduates who choose to sit for the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.

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Expected Job Growth

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to increase by 12% from 2016 to 2026 (that's faster than average!). The BLS also suggests that pharmacy technicians with formal education or training, previous work experience, and national certification will be specifically sought after to meet these demands.

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Salary

Hourly wages for pharmacy technicians can very greatly depending on the work site. Retail chain stores, retail independent stores and long-term care pharmacies tend to have lower wages. Hospitals, home health care agencies, pharmacy software companies and pharmaceutical manufacturers tend to have higher wages. *Average hourly wage nationally. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

 

 

 

Degree and Certificate Options

Pikes Peak State College has several Pharmacy Technician degree and certificate options. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH OPTION AND THE CLASSES YOU MIGHT TAKE
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The Pharmacy Technician Associate of Applied Science degree will be discontinued and is no longer admitting new students. Pikes Peak State College is committed to supporting our current AAS Pharmacy Technician students through their graduation until the end of Spring 2027.

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Students must successfully complete the initial PPSC Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program before being eligible to complete the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Certificate. With this advanced certificate students learn how to use spreadsheets and become familiar with necessary medical terminology.

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This certificate program prepares students to assist in the preparation of prescribed medications, including retrieval, counting, pouring, weighing, measuring, and mixing medications.

Pharmacy Technician Classes You Might Take

Classes you might take will vary depending on the degree or certificate option(s) you pursue. Check the course catalog for specific classes required to reach your goals.

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Explore The Pathway

 

 

What graduates are saying:

“Great program! Comprehensive and challenging yet fun. The hands-on experience really helped when I did my clinical rotations and prepared me well. I was hired right out of my externship to a full-time inpatient pharmacy position. I loved my instructors and their ability to encourage and motivate through even the most challenging and serious aspects of the curriculum. They clearly have a passion for pharmacy and teach with the purpose of sparking the same in others.” | Nicole R.

“Excellent program, with equally amazing teachers. The classes were thorough and went by quickly. I found that I was considerably more prepared, during my rotations, than students from other programs. I highly recommend this program to anyone in the area!” | Mandi S.

“This program is phenomenal! It is short sweet and straight to the point definitely worth your time. The clinical rotations are a huge help to get out in the environment and really understand what your career is looking like. I was able to find an amazing job my last day of rotation! You will have the same teachers and the classes are not overwhelming with students. This program was truly life changing for me and I highly recommend it to others!” |  Kelsie H.
woman graduating

Program Accreditation

PPSC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, (312) 263-0456.

PPSC’s Pharmacy Technician Program has been accredited as an Advanced-Level Pharmacy Technician Education Program by ASHP/ACPE, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. It is also a PTCB Approved Program.

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
7272 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-664-8656
pharmacy technician and pharmacist