Pharmacy Technicians function as a vital member of the health care team preparing medications under the guidance of a pharmacist.  They serve patients in a variety of pharmacy settings such as retail drug stores, department or grocery stores, medical clinics, nursing homes, mail-order pharmacies, and specialized oncology facilities.

Pharmacy Technician duties may include:

• stock, order, and maintain drug and equipment inventory
• maintain patient medication and medical records
• assist in dispensing of medications
• bill for pharmacy services, goods, and prescriptions
• non-sterile and sterile compounding of medications
• measure, mix, count, and/or label medications
• operate and maintain computerized dispensing and/or robotic machinery

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Increased demand for prescription medications will lead to more demand for pharmaceutical services.”

The BLS lists Washington as the top paying state for pharmacy technicians in 2021 with an average hourly wage of $22.52, or about $46,000 annually. This is above the national median wage the BLS records as $18.25.

This program prepares you to be a licensed pharmacy technician pharmacy technician in Washington State. To practice in this State, you must meet the following requirements:

• Graduate from a Washington State Pharmacy Commission approved technician training program like this one. Pharmacy specific training must be completed within a year.
• Complete at least 8 hours of Washington pharmacy law. (AHPT 140)
• Answer personal data questions and complete an application for State licensure with appropriate signed forms.
• Pay a fee to process your application.
• Provide documentation of at least 4 hours of HIV/AIDS training. (AH 155)
• Obtain a certificate or score letter verifying a passing score on a National Certification Examination like the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). Passing this exam earns you the Certified Pharmacy Technician or CPhT credentials.

To maintain licensure in Washington, you must earn at least 10 hours of continuing education (CE) units annually which must include one hour of pharmacy law that is through a commission-approved or Accreditation Council of Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE)-accredited education program or course. You must also pay a renewal fee.  Find out more about pharmacy professions licensing through the WA Department of Health Website.

To maintain your national certification earned through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), you must earn 20 hours of CE during the 2-year recertification period that includes at least 1 hour of pharmacy law and 1 hour of patient safety. A fee is also required for renewal.

The following costs are ESTIMATES of the expenses students can expect during the program.

These costs do not include coursework taken prior to entry.

• Full-time tuition per quarter: $1309.38*
• Total certificate lab fees:$75.00*
• Books/supplies per quarter: $250.00
• Pharmacy Assistant Application Fee for the WA State Department of Health: $25.00

Total approximate costs for the one-year certificate program of 4 quarters of full-time attendance is $6,890.52.
*Tuition and lab fees are subject to change.
**Rates subject to change; please see current rate listed in the Business Office (Deccio Higher Education Center).
The estimated costs do not include transportation, room and board, or other personal needs.

Our Pharmacy Technician program accepts up to 20 applications yearly and begins Fall Quarter. The application period closes on August 1 annually.

Step 1: Apply for Admission to Yakima Valley College.

Step 2: Request a program handbook and appointment with the program advisor by emailing Alliedhealth@yvcc.edu.

Step 3: Submit a program application before August 1 for the following fall cohort.

Immunizations and Training

Students are required to complete CPR/First Aid/4-hr HIV/AIDS training, obtain current immunization records, and apply for their pharmacy assistance license through the Washington Department of Health website prior to applying to the program. Proof of completion of HIV/AIDS training via a community source is acceptable. Certifications and immunizations must remain current through completion of the Pharmacy Technician Program Externship course.

Immunization Requirements

The Pharmacy Technician Program’s affiliation agreements with clinical and practicum training sites require students to be complete with all immunizations and tuberculosis (TB) screening as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for healthcare personnel. The requirements reduce the risk of exposure to communicable diseases for students and their patients/clients.

Students who have applied, or plan to apply, to the Pharmacy Technician Program must supply official documentation of their immunization status with their application to the program.

If Immunization status is not verified at time of application, the application will be ineligible for review. Failure to maintain immunization records with annual updates will impact enrollment status, jeopardize clinical participation, and continued program participation will be prohibited. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all immunizations and/or proof of immunity documentation be submitted on time (prior to the start of the program and any quarter thereafter). Immunizations, and any needed laboratory testing, are done at the student’s expense.

Current Immunization Requirements

Tetanus Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap): Within the last eight years. If you have had a Tdap prior to the eight-year mark, a regular tetanus shot may be used.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR): Documentation of two injections. If this documentation cannot be provided, then serum titer must be done to demonstrate immunity. If any portion of the titer is negative, a booster must be conducted followed by a titer repeat 30 days after the booster, for the portion the applicant is negative.

Hepatitis B: The series of three injections must be given over a period of months. The second injection is administered one month after the first, with the third administered six months after the first. The series of three injections must be given over a period of months, followed by a post immunization titer. The second injection is administered one month from the first, with the third administered six months after the first. Documentation must be in the student’s file proving the immunization has been completed prior to participation in the program. A positive Hepatitis B titer may be used to replace evidence of the shot series.

Or Hepatitis B Titer: A serologic titer with LAB results for Hepatitis B demonstrating immunity. If the titer is negative for immunity, a restart of the series is required. Documentation demonstrating the restart of the series, using the CDC guidelines must be included with titer results.

Tuberculin skin test (PPD): Required once a year after the two-step baseline has been established. Evidence of recent, three, current consecutive years of testing history is accepted in place of the two-step baseline, provided they are annually and timely. Students with a positive PPD must have a chest x- ray demonstrate that they are negative for active disease and provide documentation to the Medical Assisting Program office. Once a chest x-ray is performed, the student must have an annual questionnaire in place of the PPD. The student should have a repeat PPD if exposed to a patient with active TB. A tuberculin titer, known as a Quantiferron, may also be used.

Date Administered/Date read and read results.
Date Administered/Date read and read results.

A PPd 2-step baseline is an injection, read and results that are repeated within 10 days. All PPd records must demonstrate the date administered, the date read, with results to be valid.

Hepatitis A: Currently not required, however, some facilities require a minimum of one injection prior to student placement so it is highly recommended to have at least one administered.

Varicella: Provide proof of two doses of inoculation, or titer lab results

Flu: Proof of seasonal flu immunization which is not due until Winter Quarter starting in January.

COVID-19: 2 vaccinations for Moderna 21 days apart, 2 vaccinations for Pfizer 28 days apart, or 1 vaccination for Johnson & Johnson

Background check and drug screen

Criminal history background information and drug screening are required of students after tentative acceptance into the Pharmacy Technician program. Information obtained from the background check and/or drug screen will be considered in determining student eligibility complete the experiential courses. Inability to participate externship experiences due to information obtained from the criminal history background check and/or drug screen may result in the student’s inability to satisfactorily complete program requirements.

The mission of the Yakima Valley College Pharmacy Technician Program is to provide educational experiences that instill the professional values of ethics and responsibility while students learn entry & advanced level pharmacy technician competencies that adhere to current standards.  The faculty is dedicated to fostering a learning environment that encourages trust and interaction to achieve the overall goal of providing a diverse community of well-prepared pharmacy technicians who can provide quality health care.

The program certificate is 55 credits total in length and 4 quarters of full time attendance. Students often meet program prerequisites in the summer or previous academic year. The program specific courses run from fall to spring.

• Fall courses are completed all online.
• Winter quarter is online AND requires 100 hours of hands on practice in labs scheduled on the Yakima campus.
• Spring quarter is a combination of online work with 240 hours of real-life work experience in community pharmacies.

Program Prerequisites include:

• MATH 080 (or placement above)
• Placement into college-level English, ENGL&101 or PTECH120
• At least 4 hours of HIV/AIDS training or have taken AH 155

Recommended before fall start:

• AH 119 Medical Terminology
• AH 155 CPR/BLS/BBP
• PTECH 120 Professional Technical Writing

Additional coursework is located in our catalog.

The Pharmacy Technician Program is 55 credits in length and includes core courses for health professionals as well as specialty courses in pharmacy technology.  Students may complete the course of study in four quarters of full-time attendance.  Limited part-time study is also available.  A program application is required and up to twenty students are accepted annually.

The externship is the final program requirement.  Students must complete all required coursework both didactic and simulated at the C level or above to be eligible for the pharmacy experiential site externship.  During the externship, the students are placed in a variety of hospital and retail pharmacy settings throughout the region.  The students must complete at least 240 hours of practice under the preceptorship of pharmacists.  Scheduled hours may vary to accommodate externship site and/or student needs.  YVC provides no salary or stipend to students during this rotation.

Finally, students must take and pass (75% or better) a final comprehensive examination. Students who have completed all required coursework, including the externships, and pass the final comprehensive examination, will be awarded a certificate of completion.

Students may choose to continue their studies and complete the program with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Pharmacy Technician Studies. A five-credit natural science course, 5 credits of billing and coding courses, a five-credit social science course, and at least 20 additional credits from elective courses are needed to qualify for this two year degree for a total of 90 credits. Students are encouraged to seek additional credits that will help enhance their future career as a pharmacy technician such as in areas of information technology, billing and coding, medical assisting, business, and/or care navigation.

The curriculum of the pharmacy technician program is designed to provide instruction to ensure students meet entry to advanced level competencies for pharmacy technicians as well as prepare them for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).  After successful completion of this national exam, graduates will earn the credentials of a nationally recognized Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

Pharmacy Technician Certificate

Prerequisite Courses

MATH 080:(or placement above) 5 Cr
Placement into college-level English, ENGL&101 or PTECH120

Core Courses

• AH 104: Math for Health Professions 3 Cr
• AH 105: Introduction to Pharmacology 3 Cr
• AH 108: Communication and Cultural Concepts in Health Care 3 Cr
• AH 119: Medical Terminology 5 Cr
• AH 140: Medical Law and Ethics 2 Cr
• AH 155: First Aid/CPR/Blood-Borne Pathogen Training 2 Cr
• PTECH 120: Technical Writing 5 Cr

Program-Specific Courses

• AHPT 115: Advanced Pharmacology 3 Cr
• AHPT 125: Pharmacy Technician Skills I 4 Cr
• AHPT 140: Pharmacy Law 2 Cr
• AHPT 170: Pharmacy Technician Skills II 5 Cr
• AHPT 175: Pharmacy Technician Skills III 6 Cr

Practicum Courses

• AHPT 201: Pharmacy Externship 8 Cr
• AHPT 203: Pharmacy Technician Review 4 Cr

Total Credits 55

Link to the current catalog

Pharmacy Technician Studies, AAS

Prerequisite Coursework

• MATH 080: Algebra Essentials 5 Cr (or placement above)
• ENGL& 101 (or placement) or PTECH 120  5 Cr

Core Courses

• AH 104: Math for Health Professions 3 Cr
• AH 105: Introduction to Pharmacology 3 Cr
• AH 108: Communication and Cultural Concepts in Health Care 3 Cr
• AH 119: Medical Terminology 5 Cr
• AH 140: Medical Law and Ethics 2 Cr
• AH 155: First Aid/CPR/Blood-Borne Pathogen Training 2 Cr

Program-Specific Courses

• AHPT 115: Advanced Pharmacology 3 Cr
• AHPT 125: Pharmacy Technician Skills I 4 Cr
• AHPT 140: Pharmacy Law 2 Cr
• AHPT 170: Pharmacy Technician Skills II 5 Cr
• AHPT 175: Pharmacy Technician Skills III 6 Cr

Practicum Courses

• AHPT 201: Pharmacy Externship 8 Cr
• AHPT 203: Pharmacy Technician Review 4 Cr

Required Supporting Classes

• AHBC 101: Introduction to Medical Coding 3 Cr
• AHBC 102: Introduction to Medical Billing 2 Cr

Additional Required Electives

•  5 credits of Natural Sciences/Math Distribution
•  5 credits of Social Sciences Distribution
• 15 credits of Electives

Total Credits 90

Link to the current catalog

• Apply quality assurance practices that promote patient centered care throughout the medication use process.
• Demonstrate proper processes and procedures for preparing and dispersing various medications.
• Explain Federal and Washington State laws governing pharmacy practice and the requirements for licensure of a professional pharmacy technician.
• Identify the most prescribed drugs and common over the counter medications used in the United States today.
• Demonstrate correct processes and procedures for accurate medical billing and reimbursement. (AAS only)

A computer (no older than 5 years is recommended) and access to Wi-Fi is needed to complete these program courses. Do not plan to complete your class on smart phones or tablets. Some of the system functions that some courses use may not work well or at all on mobile devices.

Find out more about online learning at YVC.

PTCB National Exam Pass Rates

• 2021: YVC’s pass rate 67%, the national rate 71%
• 2022: YVC’s pass rate 78%, the national rate 70%

YVC Pharmacy Tech Completion Rates

2016-2020 data shows our average completion rate is 90%.