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Pharmacy Technician

Offered in Partnership with UCI Pharmaceutical Sciences

This program is not currently being offered. Please check back for updates.

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Overview

UC Irvine's Introduction to Pharmacy Practice course prepares students for an exciting career in this high demand field. This course helps pre-health science undergraduate students gain valuable experience in order to enhance their ability for acceptance into graduate school by working as a pharmacy technician in retail pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes and government health agencies. Since many pharmacies are open 18-24 hours each day, working hours can be adapted to a busy student schedule.

Registered pharmacy technicians typically work under the supervision of pharmacists. In this setting, pharmacy technicians can review, transcribe and fill orders from physicians. They also prepare unit dose and multi-dose forms, label orders, enter data and maintain inventory. This course prepares students to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam and gain valuable and unique experiences working in a pharmacy in a retail or hospital setting.

For students who are planning to apply to graduate school in health sciences, this course will give your application a competitive advantage to PharmD, MD, DDS, DO or DVM schools.

Who Should Attend

  • Students interested in entering the healthcare fields including, Pharmacy, Medicine Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Osteopathic Medicine
  • Those interested in careers as Pharmacy Technicians
  • Individuals interested in working in the healthcare system
  • Medical assistants and pharmacy clerks

Career Insight

Occupational summary for pharmacy technicians. Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Intl.

416,465
Annual Job Openings
(2019)
10.4%
Projected Growth
(2019-2029)
$32k
Median Salary
(Highly experienced workers can earn up to $48k)

Program Benefits

  • Learn pharmacology, drug interactions, trade and generic names of prescription medications, over-the counter medications, herbs and supplements, most commonly dispensed in a pharmacy
  • This course will prepare students for California Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)
  • Explain the laws, organizations and regulations governing pharmacy practice
  • Demonstrate proper medication labeling, dispensing, record keeping, ordering, inventory control, and use of information systems
  • Perform pharmaceutical calculations
  • Explain sterile and non-sterile Compounding
  • Demonstrate knowledge of medication safety and quality assurance in a pharmacy

Course Schedule

The Introduction to Pharmacy Practice course will help prepare you for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician. Becoming a Pharm Tech is a great way to learn about the pharmacy field, enhance your grad school application, and make a little money while in school.

Pharm Techs work in drug, general merchandise, grocery stores and hospitals. They assist pharmacists with dispensing prescription medications to customers and work directly with health professionals.

Introduction to Pharmacy Practice
5-week course

*Note: Because this course is offered through the Division of Continuing Education, not Summer Session, it will not count as part of the “Pay for 8” program.

Course schedules are subject to change.

English Proficiency Requirement
All certificate programs at UCI Division of Continuing Education (classroom and online formats) require professional-level English language proficiency in listening and note-taking, reading comprehension and vocabulary, written expression, and oral presentation.