Pharmacy technicians assist and support licensed pharmacists in providing prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, medical equipment and supplies, pharmaceutical care services and other health care products and services for patients.
The Pharmacy Technology curriculum is composed of classroom, laboratory and clinical components to prepare individuals to assist pharmacists in duties that a technician can legally perform and to function within the boundaries prescribed by the pharmacist and the employment facility, including the following:
The associate degree program is offered as an option for students who wish to pursue an academic program comprised of general education courses as well as pharmacy technician basics. The degree also offers options to students who plan to use it as the foundation for further education. The program strives to balance technical training and classroom instruction in order to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the needs and goals established by the pharmacy profession.
Pharmacy Technology classes are held at the Perry Health Sciences Campus, next to WakeMed's flagship hospital in Raleigh.
The purpose of clinical experience is to allow students to work in pharmacy settings under the supervision of licensed pharmacists and alongside certified pharmacy technicians. Clinical experience takes place in hospitals and medical centers, in community and outpatient pharmacies and in specialty pharmacies. Students also research and observe compounding, long-term care, home infusion, nuclear and central community pharmacies.
Pharmacy technicians are in high demand in the health care and pharmaceutical care industries. With a larger and older population, advances in science and increases in medication availability and usage, the demand for pharmacy technicians in all practice settings will likely increase and their roles expand. As health care becomes more technically complex, the need for educated, skilled and competent support personnel will become more important.
Federal and state laws and regulations and professional standards govern the use of technicians in pharmacies and the requirements for certification and training. More states and employers are requiring certification and training to decrease medication errors and improve the quality of services provided. Most hospitals and community pharmacies in the Wake Tech area require certification for employment.
Wake Tech academic programs (credit and non-credit) that are designed to lead to professional licenses are tied to North Carolina or national certifications. If you intend to pursue professional licenses outside North Carolina once you have completed your academic program at Wake Tech, please refer to the Professional Licensure section of the college's distance education authorization page for additional information.
The North Carolina Board of Pharmacy requires the following to register as a pharmacy technician:
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) requires the following for certification:
Wake Tech's Pharmacy Technology program is accredited by the American Society of Health-system Pharmacists and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and is operated in compliance with their standards for accredited pharmacy technician education and training programs.
The program also is a recognized Pharmacy Technician Certification Board education and training program.