Program Overview
Aiken Technical College is a public, open-door, two year, comprehensive institution of higher education established to provide citizens of greater Aiken County opportunities for educational, economic, professional, social, and personal development. Aiken Technical College’s Pharmacy Technician program was established in the fall of 2008. It offers a certificate in Pharmacy Technician.
The purpose of this program is to educate motivated and ethical individuals in the varied aspects of becoming a qualified pharmacy technician. Particular attention to such areas as technical skills, patient care considerations, pharmacy knowledge, pharmacy-legal and ethical behavior and appropriate work habits are the fundamental foundation of the programs principles and goals. Upon successful completion of all didactic, simulation, and clinical courses in the pharmacy technician curriculum, the student will have achieved a level of competency to sit for the PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam) or ExCPT (Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians) national certification examinations. After passing this exam, the student will become a nationally Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). When the student has completed the pharmacy technician program, passed either the PTCE or ExCPT exams, and logged 1000 hours of work experience (to include clinical rotation as experiential hours) under a licensed Pharmacist will become eligible for South Carolina state certification.
The Pharmacy Technician program is an entry-level, 3-semester certificate program. The program involves varied liberal arts courses, professional courses (related specifically to pharmacy) and coordinated practice courses (providing hands-on education and experience in the clinical settings). Beginning in the second semester, students are actively involved in the clinical setting, working directly with patients and learning from staff Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians as well as program faculty. Aiken, South Carolina area pharmacies serve as clinical affiliates for the students in the program. These clinical sites offer a wide range of work and clinical experience necessary to succeed in the highly competitive field of modern pharmacy. The staff and administration of these affiliates provide enthusiastic support and assistance in maintaining the quality of this educational program.
Aiken Technical College works with PioneerRx to provide an enhanced, hands-on experience to our curriculum. With the nation’s top pharmacy software, our students can apply their knowledge to real-world situations that normally occur in a pharmacy. Learn more at https://www.pioneerrx.com/, and see how PioneerRx compares to other pharmacy software providers at http://www.pharmacysoftwarereviews.com/.
Aiken Technical College was also featured on BestTradeSchools.com and highlighted our Pharmacy Technician Program.
Program General Requirements
General requirements must be completed prior to acceptance into the program. Please refer to the General Requirements document for details.
How to Become a Pharmacy Tech:
Download the online guide here
Program Accreditation
Aiken Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The program is accredited by the American Society for Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Upon graduation, students receive the Pharmacy Technician Certificate. Program graduates are eligible to apply for the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE) administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or Exam Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) administered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA). Individuals who pass the examination are known as Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhT). Information regarding Aiken Technical College Pharmacy Technician program accreditation is provided by: Aiken Technical College Pharmacy Technician Program Accreditation
Program Mission, Strategic Plan, and Code of Ethics for Pharmacy Technicians
Program mission statement, strategic plan for program and student learning outcomes and Code of Ethics for Pharmacy Technicians are located in the corresponding document below:
For more information about program graduation rates, median debt of students who completed the program, summary report to include knowledge, tasks, skills, wages and trends, job openings, and other important information.
Disclosure
Please note for program enrollment and state registration, students will undergo background and drug screenings. Full disclosure of any tickets, citations, summons, arrests, charges or convictions for a misdemeanor or felony must be communicated prior to program enrollment. If you have ever been convicted of or pled no contest to a violation of any law of a foreign country, the United States or any state laws or local ordinances, including misdemeanors and felony convictions, regardless of the ages of the conviction, as well as a failed drug screening examination, your eligibility for program enrollment and state registration will be negatively affected. Contact the Aiken Technical College Pharmacy Technician Program Coordinator for more information if you have questions.
For more information about the pharmaceutical sciences, please go to the following: