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Pharmacy Technician

Currently the role of the Pharmacy Technician is expanding as the profession embraces pharmaceutical care as its primary function. Pharmaceutical care is a practice philosophy that strives for positive medication therapy outcomes. The patient’s health is actively monitored to make sure that the goals of the health care team (patient, pharmacist, and physician) are met.  See class brochure

For more information, please email pharmtech@iwcc.edu

Employment Opportunities

Pharmacy technicians are employed in a wide variety of practice settings, including community settings such as chain or independent pharmacies, hospitals, home health care, long term care, nuclear pharmacy and managed health care facilities.

The Duties of a Pharmacy Technician, working under the supervision of a licensed Pharmacist may include:

1. Performing packaging of a prescription or medication order in a licensed pharmacy.
2. Accepting prescription refill authorizations communicated to a pharmacy by a prescriber or by the prescriber’s office.
3. Contacting prescribers to obtain prescription refill authorizations.
4. Collecting pertinent patient information.
5. Inventory of drug supplies provided and controlled by a licensed pharmacy.
6. Maintaining confidentiality of patient’s medical and medication records.

Iowa Western’s 140 Hour Pharmacy Technician Program offers students both theoretical and practical training.

Classroom/Lab (80 Hours)

See class brochure for the upcoming class.

Classes meet two days every week 9 am to 3:00 pm. Lecture and lab exercises prepare the student for the practical experience of the externship.

Externship (45 Hours) 

Schedule to be announced.

Students complete 45 hours of an externship. Students attend Monday thru Friday. The externship is completed at a hospital or retail pharmacy. 

Pharmacy Technician Review (15 hours)

Students prepare for the National Certification Exam.

Textbooks

There are two books required for this class and these textbooks will be given to the students on the first day of class:

1. MP Pharmacy Technician: Practice and Procedures w/Student CD, 1st Edition
   GailOrum-Alexander, James Mizner ISBN-13 9780077302368
2. Lab Manual to accompany Pharmacy Technician: Practice and Procedures, 1st Edition GailOrum-Alexander, James Mizner ISBN-13 9780073202693

Requirements for Enrollment

1. High School Diploma or GED
2. Immunization Records
3. Hepatitis B (recommended)
4. Current TB (within last 12 months)
5. Drug Screenarranged by IWCC
6. Criminal Background Check (no criminal offense related to drugs within last seven years)
7. Interview with IWCC Program Coordinator

Cost

140 Hour Pharmacy Technician Program $1150
(Includes tuition for course and review, textbook, workbook, and student handout)

GAP funds are available for qualifying candidates who are residents of Iowa.

Click for Financial Assistance Information

Refund Policy

$200 fee for all withdrawals.

For more information, please email pharmtech@iwcc.edu