Pharmacy Technology Certificate

Mary McHugh, Program Director

The American Society of Health System Pharmacists/Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education (ASHP/ACPE) - accredited Pharmacy Technology Program at the University of Montana-Missoula College prepares students to function in hospital-based pharmacies, community  pharmacies, and a number of other types of pharmacies. The two-semester program includes classroom, lab, and experiential learning opportunities. Lab and experiential hours allow students to integrate their classroom knowledge into the practical setting. Students are required to rotate to experiential sites and some may be outside the Missoula area. Transportation and housing are the student's responsibility.

The Pharmacy Technology Program is an autumn entry program.  Applicants to the Pharmacy Technology program must complete the program specific application packet which can be obtained on the UM Missoula College Pharmacy Technology webpage. Please note that application deadlines are also found on the program webpage. Generally, applications to the program are due April 1 during the spring semester prior to the autumn semester program start. Documentation of required math and writing assessments must be included in the application packet. Transcripts are not accepted in place of the assessments. Students should place in Level 3 or higher in the ALEKS Math Assessment, and should attain a 7 or better on the E-Write Assessment, or provide alternate assessment scores as instructed in the application packet. Students who do not score high enough on assessments should consult with an advisor to arrange enrollment in the necessary courses to build their skills. Students must either complete Intro to Computers (CAPP 120) or pass the challenge for CAPP 120 prior to enrollment in the Pharmacy Technology Program. The challenge is offered several times each year. Instructions for scheduling the challenge and assessments are found in the application on the program website.

Once accepted into the program, all students are expected to register with the State of Montana as Pharmacy Technicians in Training.  Please note the requirements of registration as a Pharmacy Technician in Training found on the application form on the Montana State Board of Pharmacy website:http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/bsd_boards/pha_board/pdf/pha_tech.pdf

Students must complete the required autumn PHAR classes with a B or higher to proceed to the spring semester. If a student does not pass the required courses with a B or better, he/she will not be able to continue in the program and will need to apply for readmission. A student may take any required course a maximum of two (2) times.

After successfully completing the program, students are awarded a Certificate of Applied Science and are well prepared for and encouraged to sit for the national technician certification examination such as offered through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Some students may be prepared to take the PTCE as early as December of the first semester of the program, so that they may complete their experiential training as certified Pharmacy Technicians rather than Certified Technicians in Training.

Conviction of a crime (misdemeanor or felony) could leave an individual ineligible for participation in the certifying test and/or becoming registered in Montana as a certified pharmacy technician. Background checks are required prior to internships. Additionally, the Montana State Board of Pharmacy Application for Pharmacy Technician Registration includes a number of questions regarding personal history, including but not limited to criminal charges. Please contact the PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board),www.ptcb.org, and the Montana State Board of Pharmacy (http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/bsd_boards/pha_board/board_page.asp) if this is a potential problem.

Current salary range in Montana is from $7 per hour to $20 per hour, depending on employer, job duties, and experience.