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One of the strongest programs at Utah Career College prepares students for careers in pharmacy technology. As graduates, they provide essential support services to pharmacists and look forward to outstanding career opportunities. We have worked with employers to identify characteristics of successful pharmacy technicians, discussed below.
Thoroughly trained in pharmacy technology and related subjects
A pharmacy technician needs scientific and legal knowledge, technical and business skills, and interpersonal skills. A college program should provide lectures and hands-on practice in areas including medical terminology, the use of software to dispense medications and maintain insurance records, legal knowledge of patient-privacy issues, math, and pharmacy procedures. Request program information
An alert, detail-oriented and organized individual
A pharmacy technician prepares medications that can heal – or cause injury or death. As an allied health professional and member of a medical team, the pharmacy technician must be alert, watching for errors or other problems with prescriptions. The technician must be precise – details are critical. A pharmacist supervises the work of a technician, but will expect the technician to be highly organized and self-motivated.
A highly ethical and sensitive individual
The pharmacy technician is, in many situations, the customer-facing employee. As such, the technician may have to judge the motives of customers. If a person approaches the counter to purchase insulin needles, an ethical technician will avoid stereotyping, while taking measures to see the purchase is valid. He or she needs to ask the right questions, recognize a suspicious situation and make a sound decision. At UCC, our pharmacy technology students role-play such sensitive situations.
Candidates interested in becoming pharmacy technicians cannot have prior records of drug or substance abuse.
Strong basic and pharmacy math skills, science courses
The preparation and dosing of medication requires specific pharmacy calculations. The technician, in addition to training in those specific math skills, should have strong basic math skills, including an understanding of fractions, percentages and solving simple algebraic equations. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology and chemistry provides a solid base for specific pharmacy technology courses.
Strong communications and interpersonal skills
Pharmacy techs work in a wide range of health-related settings, including hospitals, retail pharmacies, mail-order pharmacy services, IV/home infusion services and insurance billing offices. They interact daily with diverse groups of patients, coworkers and healthcare professionals. Teamwork is very important because technicians often are required to work with pharmacists, aides and other technicians.
Business and office skills
A technician may be responsible for managing inventories, counting tablets, measuring dosages and business communications.
Pharmacy technology training at Utah Career College
Utah Career College offers two programs leading to careers in pharmacy technology:
The programs are held at the UCC West Jordan campus, 15 miles south of Salt Lake City Center. Graduates have an excellent job placement rate. Please call 801-304-4224 or send an e-mail to request information or assistance with registration. A representative will be happy to help you evaluate our pharmacy technology programs in light of your personal goals. If you are ready to enroll, the representative will help you with the entire admissions process.