Examining 2 Pharmacy Technician Schools in Georgia
When searching for pharmacy technician schools in Georgia, you might be surprised at the number of options available. Not only are there a fair number of schools, the schools tend to offer a variety of programs.
Atlanta Technical College
Consider Atlanta Technical College, for example. It offers three programs: an Associate Degree in Pharmacy Technology, a Pharmacy Technology diploma, and a Pharmacy Assistant Technical certificate. The Pharmacy Technology degree provides entry level skills for retail or hospital based pharmacies. Graduates are trained to prepare medications under the care of a pharmacist as pharmacy technicians.
Because it is an associate degree program, the curriculum consists of 63 credit hours. Some of the courses include:
- Anatomy and Physiology (2 semesters)
- Pharmaceutical Calculations which must be passed with a B in order to graduate
- Pharmacy Technology Fundamentals
- Principles of Dispensing Medications as well as Sterile Medication Preparation
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy Technology and Advanced Pharmacy Technology Practicum which include 450 contact hours
The Pharmacy Technology diploma provides the skills needed for pharmacy employment. It is not as demanding as the associate degree, only requiring 54 credit hours. However, it does have the same 450 contact hours of practical hands on learning.
The Pharmacy Assistant Technical Certificate of Credit prepares students with entry level abilities in settings like retail and hospital pharmacies, nursing homes, or medical clinics. It only requires 33 credit hours and only 225 contact hours of practical hands on learning.
To promote professional growth and personal edification, Atlanta Technical College also provides non-credit continuing education, including short courses, workshops, and seminars. In addition, Atlanta Technical College’s Career Placement Staff provides assistance in the search for employment, assisting in searching for opportunities before and after graduation.
Albany Technical College
Albany Technical College is another Georgia school offering pharmacy tech training programs. It offers two programs: an 18-month, 76-credit hour diploma program and a 24-month, 96-credit hour associate degree program.
Both the Pharmacy Technology diploma and associate degree programs prepare graduates to be pharmacy technicians, who will be responsible for preparing medications under a pharmacist’s supervision. The Pharmacy Technology diploma program curriculum includes:
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Pharmaceutical Calculations
- Pharmacy and Advanced Pharmacy Technology Fundamentals
- Principles of Medication Dispensing
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy and Advanced Pharmacy Technology Practicum
The Pharmacy Technology Associate Degree program contains the same courses as the diploma program. It also has a second semester in Anatomy and Physiology as well as general core courses required for an associate degree.
The Albany Technical College Career Planning and Placement Office assist graduates in preparing for and seeking employment. Services include assistance with resume writing and critiquing, internships and job listings, as well as career fairs and employment skills workshops.
The job outlook for graduates of pharmacy technician schools in Georgia looks very promising. According to the Georgia Labor Market Explorer, the demand for pharmacy technicians will increase by more than 36% by 2016. Therefore, now is a good time to get your career started as a pharmacy technician.
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