Pharmacy Technology 4832, A.S. Career/Tech

A Two-Year Program Leading to the A.S. Degree

This program is designed to provide students the basic skills and knowledge to work as a Pharmacy Technician as completed in the Certificate of Graduation.  Additionally, students will meet the University General Education Outcomes for the AS Career and Technical Core, and graduates will be prepared for entry-level management positions in pharmacy settings. The course work is designed to prepare students to take the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and become licensed Pharmacy Technicians in Indiana. This program enables students to develop the proficiency and skills necessary for entry level placement in pharmacy. It also addresses those measures of public health and ethical conduct required to uphold and foster the dignity of pharmacy service. Upon completion, the pharmacy technology students will be able to comply with the goals of the program. The goals of the pharmacy technology program are: 1) the student will demonstrate the cognitive knowledge necessary for satisfactory performance in an entry-level pharmacy position; 2) prepare medication for clients through mixing, counting pills, and labeling bottles; 3) demonstrate inventory and stocking skills; 4) prepare I.V. mixtures, ointments and creams; 5) demonstrate proper drug dispensing techniques; 6) apply mathematics concepts for dosage calculation; and 7) apply management skills in the pharmacy setting.

The Associate of Science - Career and Technical Core Pharmacy Technology Program conducted by Vincennes University in Vincennes, Indiana is accredited by The American Society of Health-System Pharmacy’s (ASHP), 7272 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, Md 20814 (866) 279-0681. Website: www.ashp.org

Admission Requirements

1. Meet admission requirements for the University.
2. Complete READ 011  with a grade of “C” or higher or qualify for exemption from READ 011  as determined by placement test scores (e.g. SAT, ACT, or other standardized placement tests as accepted by Vincennes University).
3. Qualify for placement into MATT 109  or higher with no co-requisite requirements as determined by the Vincennes University Accuplacer test; or complete MATT 109 , MATH 102 , or MATH 103  with a grade of “C” or better.
4. Qualify for placement into ENGL 101  with no co-requisite requirements as determined by placement test scores (e.g. SAT, ACT, or other standardized placement tests as accepted by Vincennes University) or complete ENGL 101  with a grade of “C” or better.
5. Hold no grade less than a “C” in any required course in the Pharmacy Technology Curriculum.
6. Satisfy GPA Requirements
   1. High School students must have a high school GPA of at least 2.3.
   2. Students with completed college level courses must hold a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
7. Submit a satisfactory criminal background check and pass a drug screen from firms approved by the Pharmacy Technology Program. Refer to the Pharmacy Technology web site for details on the Criminal History Background Check policy at www.vinu.edu/healthcareers.

Criminal History Policy

The Pharmacy Technology programs (both the Certificate of Graduation and Associate of Science Career/Tech) require that all applicants selected for admission submit a criminal history report. Applicants should be aware that any previous or current conviction of a crime or treatment for substance abuse may result in ineligibility to be admitted to the Program and/or affect the ability to obtain certification.

The determination to take the certification exam will be made by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). More information about the pharmacy technology requirements and application can be found at Indiana Professional Licensing Agency http://www.in.gov/pla/2898.htm.

Requirements for Pharmacy Technology Students

1. Students must possess CPR certification for Professional Rescuer/AED from the American Red Cross, or Health Care Provider Level from the American Heart Association.
2. Students must provide verification of Hepatitis B inoculation or refusal thereof.
3. Students must supply their own transportation to clinical sites.

Standards for Progression and Graduation

1. Pharmacy Technology students must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in each required course within the Pharmacy Technology Program curriculum. Failure to earn at least a grade of “C” in a required course will result in withdrawal from the Pharmacy Technology Program.
2. Clinical experience in PHRM 225 - Practicum  is evaluated as a “satisfactory” or “unsatisfactory” performance based upon criteria established by the program. If the clinical laboratory performance is “unsatisfactory”, a grade of “F” will be received in that course.

Readmission Standards         

Readmission standards apply to any student that was unsuccessful in passing or withdrew from a pharmacy course (PHRM) following admission into the Program or any student failing to maintain the Standards for Progression and Graduation.

1. Applicants may be readmitted to the program one time only.
2. Applicants with a grade of “F” in PHRM 225 - Practicum  will not be eligible for readmission.
3. Applicants seeking to reenter the program at the point in which they withdrew, must reenter the program within one year and complete the program within 3 years total. Otherwise, the student may apply for readmission to begin the program in its entirety.
4. The effective catalog for students readmitted to the program in courses beyond the first semester will be the effective catalog at the time of the first admission.
5. Qualified applicants will be readmitted on a space-available basis. In the event that the number of applicants exceeds available space, positions may be offered to applicants with higher qualifications.
6. Applicants for readmission must submit a readmission application by the deadline established by the Pharmacy Technology Department.
7. All applicants must have a minimum semester GPA of 2.0 in order to be considered for readmission.
8. Applicants that have received a grade less than a “C” in more than one Pharmacy Technology Education course are not eligible to reapply for admissions.
9. Students not successfully completing  PHRM 105 - Pharmacology I  must reapply to the program, and will be considered alongside all other applicants.
10. Applications are reviewed on an individual basis by the Pharmacy Technology Department.
11. In accordance with the University Grievance Policy, applicants who believe they have extenuating circumstances to these readmission standards may submit a letter of appeal to the Pharmacy Technology Department Admissions Committee to explain the situation.