Pharmacy Technician, AAS

The Pharmacy Technician program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work as a certified pharmacy technician under the supervision of licensed pharmacists in various pharmacy settings. College-ready students can complete the Certificate of Technical Studies in Pharmacy Technician in two semesters. With additional course work, students can earn the Associate of Applied Science in Pharmacy Technician.

The Bossier Parish Community College Pharmacy Technician program is accredited by the American Society of Health- System Pharmacists (ASHP)/ Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).

Learning Outcomes:

Recipients of the Associate of Applied Science in Pharmacy Technician will be able to demonstrate:

1. The ability to utilize personal and interpersonal skills and knowledge appropriate to the role of the pharmacy technician.
2. The foundational knowledge and skills necessary to functions as a pharmacy technician in various pharmacy settings.
3. Skills and knowledge necessary to assist the pharmacist in the correct handling of medication and medication order processing.
4. Application of patient care, quality and safety knowledge, and skills to the operation of a pharmacy.
5. Compliance with regulatory issues in the operation of a pharmacy.

This program includes a required clinical component. Persons interested in pursuing this degree should be aware of all information concerning clinical programs described on the Division of Science, Nursing, and Allied Health  page.

This program articulates with one or more institutions or agencies. Refer to the Articulation Agreements   section of the catalog for further detail.

Admissions Policy

Students wishing to enroll in the BPCC Pharmacy Technician Program must be currently admitted to Bossier Parish Community College and have a high school diploma or Louisiana High School Equivalency certificate. Prior to beginning program specific courses (courses with a PHAR prefix) students must be approved by the Pharmacy Technician Program Director. Approval is based on:

A. Demonstrated basic competency in:

• reading (ACT Reading score of 16 or higher; placement test scores indicating competency, or completion of READ 099 );

• mathematics (ACT Mathematics score of 15 or higher; placement test scores indicating competency, or completion of MATH 098 );

• English (ACT English score of 18 or higher; placement test scores indicating competency, or completion of ENGL 099 );

• Verbal communication.

B. Successful completion or current enrollment in all program qualification courses;

C. Completion of necessary paperwork;

D. Successful completion of drug screening test; and

E. Signed acknowledgement of the Pharmacy Technician Program Essential Requirement.

Students enrolling in PHAR 101 , PHAR 102 , PHAR 102L , and PHAR 104  must be concurrently enrolled in or have successfully completed all program qualification courses. 

Specific Degree Requirements:

To be eligible for enrollment in second semester program courses, PHAR 110 , PHAR 110L , PHAR 120 , and PHAR 151  , the student must have successfully applied for a Louisiana State Board of Pharmacy Technician Candidate Registration no later than the date established by the program director. In order to apply, the Louisiana State Board of Pharmacy requires that the student have a high school diploma or Louisiana High School Equivalency. Additionally, the student must have submitted all required information for programs with a clinical component. Students will be required to pass drug and alcohol screens, and national and state background checks prior to beginning PHAR 151  .

Prior to beginning the Pharmacy Clinical Practice Course (PHAR 151 ), the Pharmacy Technician Program Director must be in receipt of a copy of the student’s current Louisiana Pharmacy Technician Candidate Registration. Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate is eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) given by Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Students should be aware that illicit drug use, criminal background checks, and immunization status may prevent future employment as a pharmacy technician, that externship sites, employers, and State Boards of Pharmacy have regulations about drug use and criminal background.

BPCC Pharmacy Technician Program Completion Policy:

Students may earn a Certificate of Technical Studies in Pharmacy Technician or an Associate of Applied Science in Pharmacy Technician at Bossier Parish Community College. To complete the program, students must be at least 18 years of age, meet all educational goals and objectives of the program, and show a consistently high level of technician candidate practice during clinical rotations at pharmacies. Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all required courses and have completed all required evaluations and certifications. Students are required to complete 400 hours of clinical work at assigned pharmacies and submit documentation of completion. Students must meet all graduation requirements set forth by Bossier Parish Community College, the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP)/Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.

Required Courses For Associate of Applied Science In Pharmacy Technician: