VU-Pharmacy Technology C.P.C.
VU Advisor: Jillian L. Kiefer BS, CPhT
Email: jkiefer@vinu.edu
Office Phone: 812-888-4470
VU Pharmacy Technology Website
DOE Code: 5214
Pharmacy technicians are critical members of the healthcare team and are essential to providing patients with safe and effective medication therapy. A pharmacy technician works closely with pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in diverse settings such as hospitals, clinics, and community pharmacies. Technicians perform vital functions to support the patient care efforts of the pharmacy team with roles and responsibilities that continue to expand and evolve. In many pharmacies, technicians:
- Accurately prepare and distribute patient medications;
- Perform calculations;
- Prepare sterile medicines including those used to treat cancer;
- Collect accurate patient information
- Process third party billing claims and assist with prior authorization completion;
- Work directly with patients to obtain medication histories and reconciliation;
- Assist in the management of investigational drug studies;
- Use technology to help maintain accurate patient records, medication inventory, and orders, and;
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Pharmacy technicians also:
- manage areas of medicines supply such as dispensaries
- supervise other pharmacy staff
- produce medicines in hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry.
Where do pharmacy technicians work?
- Community pharmacies (sometimes called retail or independent pharmacies), hospitals, long-term care pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies and specialty
- Pharmaceutical production or sales in the pharmaceutical industry
- Military, government departments, primary care organizations, education and training, veterinary pharmacy, prisons and pharmacy organizations.
Quick Facts:
- Pharmacy technicians earned a median salary of $35,100 a year or $16.87 an hour in 2020. (Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
- The job outlook for this occupation is very good, predicts the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The government agency says employment will grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2026.
- The Vincennes University Pharmacy Technology Program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
Grade Level: 12th
Length of Program: 1 year (Senior Year Only) 1/2 of the day.
Fall Semester Courses: Days
PHRM 105 Pharmacology I (3 Cr Hrs)
PHRM 220 Pharmacy Calculations (3 Cr Hrs)
PHRM 110 Dispensing Lab I (First Eight Weeks) (2 Cr Hrs)
PHRM 211 Dispensing Lab II (Second Eight Weeks) (2 Cr Hrs)
Spring Semester Courses:
PHRM 206 Pharmacology II (3 Cr Hrs)
PHRM 115 Pharmacy Law and Ethics (3 Cr Hrs)
PHRM 200 Pharmacy Management (3 Cr Hrs)
PHRM 225 Pharmacy Practicum (4 Cr Hrs)*
Tuition: Twin Rivers pays all CTE course tuition. Student pays fees and outside cost.
VU Fees: Approximately $30 Per Credit Hour
Additional Cost in addition to the VU Fees (student responsibility):
Verified Credentials – $120.00 (Drug Screen, Background and Medical Records Management)
State Licensure/Background – $100.00
Books/Scrubs – $400-500 (varies if buying new or used books)
Miscellaneous Fees for Clinicals (depending on location) – $100-150
**Must provide own transportation to clinical sites.
Occupations upon completion of program:
Students who complete their certificate of program completion are licensed technicians in the state of Indiana and sit for the PTCB National Certification Exam.
Additional education/training available after completion of program:
Students who complete their certificate of program completion may go on to get their Associates at VU in two more semesters. On-Campus and On-Line options are available.