General Information

Pharmacy technicians assist and support licensed pharmacists in providing health care and medications to patients. Pharmacy technicians must have a broad knowledge of pharmacy practice and be skilled in the techniques required to fill prescriptions, constitute IV solutions, and prepare medications, but they do not need the advanced college education required of a licensed pharmacist. Although pharmacy technicians are supervised by a pharmacist and must be willing to take directions, they must also be able to work competently without constant instruction by the pharmacists.

Pharmacy technicians must care about serving patients. Because of the critical nature of many pharmacy duties, pharmacy technicians must perform precise work where details can be a matter of life or death. Good communication and interpersonal skills are essential to interact with patients and other health care professional on a daily basis.

Requirements and Expectations

State Registration and Licensure as a Pharmacy Technician and Legal Restrictions

Anyone working as a Pharmacy Technician must register with the State Board of Pharmacy:

• Applicants must complete the application from the Tennessee Board of pharmacy website and pay the application fee of $95.00 https://www.tn.gov/assets/entities/health/attachments/PH-4174.pdf
• Complete a criminal background check done through www.L1enrollment.com with a fingerprint scan
• The application must be notarized.
• Criminal background checks, immunization status, and illicit drug use may prevent registration with the State’s Board of Pharmacy, National Certification Board exam and employment
   

Americans with Disabilities

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students must be, with reasonable accommodation, physically and mentally capable of performing the essential functions of the program:

• Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment.
• Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with patients.
• Communication abilities in English sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.
• Physical abilities sufficient to move from one area of the hospital or pharmacy to another and be able to maneuver quickly in small crowded places.
• Work at and above standard height of 36 inches above the floor level and be able to reach medications and supplies stored at standard locations and placements.
• Withstand lengthy periods of physical activity during possible 12-hour or greater work shifts.
• Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to:

1. Provide safe and effective pharmaceutical care
2. Handle and utilize procedural items such as pharmaceuticals, syringes, vials, sterile items, etc.
    

Additional Program Requirements

Illicit drug use, criminal background checks and immunization status may prevent graduation from the program, future employment as a pharmacy technician and that externship sites, employers, and State Boards of Pharmacy have regulations about drug use and criminal backgrounds.

Retention Requirements

Progress reports, attendance records and work evaluations for each student will be kept by the Director of the Pharmacy Technology Programs. Each student will be evaluated for progress periodically throughout the semester. Students must maintain a minimum of a 70% average each semester in each class, including labs, or be suspended from the program. First semester, drug quiz average must be a 70% to progress. Re-entry must be approved by the Pharmacy Technology Advisory Committee.

Repeat Policy and Termination

Students who receive a grade below a “C” in any course in the program will be withdrawn from the program. Such individuals will be allowed to re-apply to a subsequent class. The student would need to repeat any class not completed with a grade of “C” or higher. Any classed that did earn a letter grade of “C” or higher would not need to be repeated.

Withdrawal and Re-admission

• If a student is absent for a period of time and unable to make class assignments, he/she may be permitted to withdraw and be considered for reinstatement in a later class if performance is satisfactory and if it is recommended by those concerned.
• When a student is allowed to withdraw, he/she should write a letter of resignation to the Director of the Pharmacy Technology Programs.
• If a student wishes to withdraw for personal reasons, he/she should discuss it with the program director and write an appropriate letter.
• A statement as to the advisability of a student entering a later class is to be made by the instructor and the program director upon withdrawal and/or termination of the student.
• Any student who withdraws but wishes to re-enter a later class must re-apply and complete all admission requirements. The student’s request for readmission will be reviewed by the Pharmacy Technology Advisory Committee.

Dismissal Policy

Grounds for Dismissal

The student is subject to dismissal on the following grounds:

• Failure to meet academic standards.
• Excessive absences or tardies.
• Unsatisfactory clinical performance. Including: breach of attendance policy.
• Failure to comply with the code of ethics and standard of conduct at the school.
• Being under the influence of alcoholic beverages, or under the influence of drugs which impair judgement while on duty in any health care facility, school, institution, or other work place location during school time. The student will be required to sign a Statement of Understanding acknowledging and agreeing to drug testing if suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol as stated above.
• Unauthorized use of or removal of narcotics, drugs, supplies, or equipment from any health care facility, school, institution, or other work place location.
• Intentionally or negligently causing physical or emotional injury to a patient, visitor, or co-worker.
• Discriminating in the rendering of pharmacy services as related to age, race, sex, religion, national origin, or condition of a patient.
• Crime conviction may result in dismissal.

Clinical Evaluation

Evaluations of clinical rotations will be determined by previously established objectives set by rotation-site preceptors and the Director of the Pharmacy Technology Programs.

Graduation Requirements

All courses and clinical rotations must be successfully completed with a minimum grade of “C” before a student is eligible to receive a technical certificate in pharmacy technician training.

Text Books Required for Program (Prices are Subject to Change)

Entry Level Semester

• Mosbys Pharmacy Technician Exam Review- 4^th Edition ISBN 9780323497244

Approximately $59.19

• Pharmacy Labs for the Pharmacy Technician–4^th Edition ISBN 978-076389-304-0   Approximately $100.00
• Pharmaceutical Calculations for the Pharmacy Technician, 7th edition ISBN 9780763893200 Approximately $158.00
• Sigler’s Prescription Drug Cards w/ binder, 37th Edition (or any edition close to this one if you can not find 37) ISBN 978-1-880579-90-9 Approximately $65.00
   

Advanced Level Semester

• Sterile Compounding and Aseptic Technique ISBN 978-0763884536 Approx $99.00