Pharmacy Tech Program to Meet Baby Boomer Demand

(June 28, 2007 - Littleton, Colo.) As America's 76 million baby boomers become senior citizens, the demand for Pharmacy Technicians is increasing. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor estimates that pharmacy technician jobs will increase 27 percent over the next seven years. On August 18, a new group of students at Arapahoe Community College will begin their 23 week accelerated program in preparation for the national pharmacy technician certification examination. ACC's fast-track program mixes online study with real-world laboratory experience in the College's simulated pharmacy. Following classroom training, students complete required internships in local hospital or retail pharmacies.

Pharmacy Technicians have many responsibilities at hospital, chain, and neighborhood drug stores. These include: accepting and processing prescriptions; counting, pouring, and compounding medications; stocking and pricing inventory; billing and collecting payments; preparing and compounding sterile injectables including IV medications; distributing medicines to hospital stations; and preparing unit dosage packaging.

"In less than six months, those who complete our curriculum are ready to become part of the highly successful alumni that have passed the national pharmacy technician certification exam," explains Program Coordinator Dr. Larry Allen. "Certified pharmacy technicians are highly attractive candidates for employment by local area companies and institutions," Allen adds. According to Allen, many of the program's students include young people, stay-at-home parents, and retirees that are attracted to the flexible work schedule the career offers. Additionally, Allen points out that Pharmacy Tech training offers career opportunities besides working at hospitals and pharmacies. Our graduates find employment with mail order operations, nuclear medicine, pharmaceutical robotics manufacturers, prescription drug sales companies, medical publishers, and even as hospital equipment representatives.

While the Denver area has other schools offering technician training, Allen states that ACC's program offers a distinct advantage in that the faculty predominately consists of practicing pharmacists. "Why not learn from those you'll be working for," reasons Allen. Another bonus of the ACC program is the partnership it has with the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy. "Before CU's students earn their doctorates and become pharmacists they have the opportunity to intern as teaching assistants for our program," says Allen. "This has helped expose our students to the cutting edge of the pharmaceutical world including the latest practices and usage of robotics and the possibility of a career path beyond employment as pharmacy technicians including attending pharmacy school."

Samrawit Ghezae and Jon Peterson taught at ACC while they were completing CU's School of Pharmacy and both will join the Pharmacy Technician program as adjunct faculty in the Fall. Ghezae is bullish on ACC's program. "The flexibility, hands on training and way the program has students complete both hospital and retail rotations makes it one of the best." Adds Peterson, "Being a teaching assistant at ACC was a wonderful experience for me as I studied to become a pharmacist and while I enjoyed helping fellow students, it was the thought of working together with the Pharm Tech students as professionals that made it special." He concludes, "Pharmacists, regardless of their practice setting, depend greatly on the skills of a well trained technician."

For more information on the program, contact Allen at 303-797-5944.

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