Pharmacy Technology Certificate

The Pharmacy Technology Program is a competency based educational program that allows students to develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to function as a pharmacy technician in the health care delivery system. Competency attainment includes skills in oral and written communication; computer literacy; and skills related to pharmacology, law, calculations, and pharmacy management. Opportunities are provided for students to work under the direct supervision of the pharmacist in institutional, retail, and long-term care settings.

The 41 credit-hour curriculum was developed in compliance with the American Society of Health System Pharmacists’ guidelines for Pharmacy Technology Programs. Students who successfully complete the Pharmacy Technology Program and pass a national certification examination may apply for positions in hospitals, clinics, medical practices, and retail settings.

Student Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes for the Certificate in Pharmacy Technology are presented below:

1. Program completers will be academically wellprepared to enter the workforce as Certified Pharmacy Technicians.

2. Program completers will be clinically well-prepared to enter the workforce as Certified Pharmacy Technicians.

3. Program completers will be able to calculate proper medication dosage.

4. Program completers will be able to recognize drug interactions, contraindications, allergies, and other factors that would endanger a patient’s health and take appropriate actions within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated.

5. Program completers will be able to provide pharmaceutical care in a diversified setting (i.e., retail, hospital, long-term care, etc.). 

6. Program completers will have an understanding of the patient as a person and when interacting with that patient will do so in a caring and compassionate manner. 

7. Program completers will utilize knowledge regarding infection transmission to prevent the spread of infection in patient care environment.

8. Program completers will interact professionally with patients, pharmacists, other health care professionals and with the public. 

9. Program completers will demonstrate ethical behavior and maintain confidentiality in terms of patient care. 

10. Program completers will be able to maintain inventory control, price prescriptions, update price increases, and other business functions necessary in the business of pharmacy. 

11. Program completers will demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning by attending continuing education programs. 

12. Program completers will be able to use aseptic technique in the preparation of I.V. fluids and cytotoxic agents. 

13. Program completers will be able to use computers and pharmacy software effectively. 

14. Program completers will be able to relate pharmacological principles to common disease processes. 

15. Program completers will be able to achieve a high level of employer satisfaction.

Accreditation

The Certificate in Pharmacy Technology is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and is an approved program of the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.

Institutional Affiliations

CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital
Rapides Regional Medical Center
Veterans Administration Medical Center
Retail Pharmacies
Institutional Pharmacies (Multiple locations in Central Louisiana)

Admission Requirements

1. Students must meet all requirements for admission to the university and have an overall grade point average of at least 2.0.

2. To apply to the program, students must complete an application and return it to the Department of Allied Health by May 1. Depending on the number of students applying, admission may be determined by the students having completed the required courses with the highest grade point average or other factors deemed relevant by the program coordinator or chair of the Department of Allied Health.

Requirements for Completion

1. Students must complete all curricular requirements of the program. 

2. Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all courses required by the curriculum. 

3. Students must achieve an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 on all college coursework attempted. 

4. Students must be enrolled at LSUA during the semester the certificate will be awarded. 

5. Students will receive no credit for courses numbered below 1000, i.e., developmental education courses.

Progression Standards

1. Students must maintain an overall grade point average of at least 2.0. 

2. Transfer and continuing students must possess an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher to enroll in or continue in the Pharmacy Technology program.

3. Students must maintain at least a “C” average in all pharmacy technology courses and a satisfactory grade for clinical experiences in order to progress in the sequence.

4. Students must have a grade of “C” or higher in all courses required by the pharmacy technology curriculum in order to graduate with a Certificate in Pharmacy Technology.

5. Students who have unsuccessfully completed a pharmacy technology course (withdrawn after one exam or earned below 70% in theory component) may re-enroll in the course only once.

Certificate Audit Sheet

A fillable audit sheet for students and their academic advisors is available here.