Community Healthcare System in Munster is offering a 12-week pharmacy technician program designed for recent high school graduates interested in a health care profession.
A pharmacy technician performs pharmacy-related functions such as assisting customers/nurses, stocking medications, delivering medications within the hospital, operating cash registers, sterile and nonsterile medication compounding, inventory management, order fulfillment, quality control, and more. These duties are completed under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
“Employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 12 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations,” says Elizabeth Clements, director of pharmacy services at Community Hospital, where the training program will be piloted for the hospitals of Community Healthcare System. “As the demand for prescription medication increases, so does the need for support personnel.”
The pharmacy technician program is ideal for those interested in the sciences and have taken courses that include biology, chemistry, algebra and English/composition. The program includes classroom instruction, hands-on retail pharmacy experience, inpatient pharmacy experience, introduction to specialty pharmacy, introduction to ambulatory pharmacy, clinical education under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist and much more.
Community also is offering a clinical assistant program, a new initiative designed to prepare recent high school graduates interested in the health care field, specifically laboratory services. Courses for this 12-week program are scheduled to start Jan. 28.
Community Hospital’s Pharmacy Department fills more than 55,000 outpatient prescriptions annually and processes more than 840,000 inpatient orders per year.
Tuition for the 12-week pharmacy technician program is $1,500. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates will be prepared to take a national certification exam. Graduation is not contingent upon taking or passing a national certification.
Other admission requirements include:
- High school degree or equivalent
- Minimum overall GPA 2.50/4.0
- High school courses taken to include sciences (biology/chemistry), math (algebra) and English/composition
- References including personal, academic and previous employer, if applicable
- Criminal background check, drug screen, essential functions
- Onsite interview
Classes are scheduled to begin March 11. Visit the professional development section on Community Healthcare Systems website for more information on the pharmacy technician program.
