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Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship
Pharmacy technicians, under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, provide medication and other health care products
to patients and consumers. Technicians perform routine tasks to prepare prescribed medication, such as counting tablets
and labeling bottles, in hospitals and pharmacies or other medical facilities. Technicians support health care providers and
patients by greeting them in person and by phone, answering questions and requests, and referring inquiries to the
pharmacist.
Pharmacy technician apprentices receive a minimum of 20 hours of related didactic instruction. Didactic education can be
classroom-based or online, through a local community college or other approved training source. The didactic learning is
the responsibility of the apprentice, on their own time, unless differently agreed upon by employer. The employer can
choose to add optional facility-specific didactic training (e.g. soft skills, company values, retail professionalism) for an
additional number of hours. Dual credit opportunities may be available for high school students participating through
credit-bearing courses.
Related instruction complements 800-1000 hours of on-the-job (OJT) training provided by the employer. The
apprenticeship is designed to be completed in a one year period, but may be extended at the employer’s discretion.
Table 1: Hour Guidelines for Pharmacy Technicians
Mandatory Didactic
Pharmacy Technician
ASHP Associate
Degree Option
20 Credit Hours
22 Credit Hours
Mandatory Clinical
Optional Didactic
8 Credit Hours
Employer Preference
Employer Preference
On-the-Job Training
(OJT)
800-1000
800-1000
Pharmacy technician apprentices must be supervised by a licensed pharmacist on the premises. Mentorship can be
provided by the licensed pharmacist and/or licensed pharmacy technicians.
The apprentice must apply for Pharmacy Technician-in-Training licensure from the Montana Board of Pharmacy prior to
the start of the OJT. This license is valid for 18 months. To obtain Pharmacy Technician licensure, the apprentice must
pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technician (EXcPT) or
other board approved certifying entity and apply to the Board of Pharmacy.
For more information on licensure, please visit http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/bsd_boards/pha_board/board_page.asp#8.
For more information on examinations, please visit www.ptcb.org.
ASHP-Accredited Certificate of Applied Science in Pharmacy Technology Option
Employers and apprentices have the option to pursue a pharmacy technician education program accredited by the
American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (ASHP). ASHP is a professional membership organization with over
35,000 members that include pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. ASHP has taken responsibility for accrediting
pharmacy residencies and pharmacy technician training programs for the pharmacy professions.
ASHP accredited education will be available online through Missoula College and City College MSU Billings starting fall
semester 2017. Students will be required to travel to their respective campuses periodically to complete lab credits.
For admission to the pharmacy technician program, the apprentice shows competency in math, writing and computers.
Documentation of skills will be accomplished by completion of assessments in math and writing, and by a challenge of the
Intro to Computers course.
The employer will work with a campus representative to approve their facility for the accredited option. The approval
process includes a site visit and application. The facility mentor must also serve as a clinical instructor. Minimum
requirements for clinical instructors is three years of experience in the appropriate practice setting (e.g. retail or hospital).
ASHP site approval is, generally, a quick process.
Roles & Responsibilities:
Employer Responsibilities include:
 Employ the apprentice for the duration of the training.
 Mentorship for apprentices over the course of their apprenticeship.
 Provide incremental wage increase(s) at key milestones of the apprenticeship.
o Suggested milestone are at the onset of training, completion of didactic curriculum, and/or passing
certification exams.
o Surplus resulting from decreased starting wages may be used to offset employer training costs.
 Identification of facility-specific competencies.
 Collaborate with DLI representatives to identify curriculum sources.
 Accordance with all applicable Montana Board of Pharmacy regulations.
Apprentice Responsibilities include:
 High School diploma, HiSET, or plan to complete within apprenticeship time frame.
 Understanding of career progression.
 Meet performance and educational goals as defined in apprenticeship agreement.
 Apply for and maintain Pharmacy Technician-in-Training license from the Montana Board of Pharmacy.
o Must maintain license until the successful completion of training.
o License is valid for 18 months by which time all requirements must be met.
 Pass PTCB or ExCPT Exam to obtain Pharmacy Technician licensure.
DLI Registered Apprenticeship Program responsibilities include:
 Production of Apprenticeship Contract and related documentation.
 Alignment with state and federal incentive programs.
 Collaboration with Employer sponsor to identify curriculum sources.
 Accordance with all applicable Montana Board of Pharmacy regulations.
Upon successful completion of the Apprenticeship, the apprentice will receive:
 Montana DLI Registered Apprenticeship Certificate of Completion.
 Industry recognized credentials and experience.
 Pharmacy Technician license from Montana Board of Pharmacy.
 Continued employment with the apprenticeship sponsor, if applicable.
For More Information:
Visit our websites: apprenticeship.mt.gov and healthcaremt.org.
Contact the Montana Department of Labor and Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program:
Valerie Piet
[email protected]
406-490-8788
Madeline Boehm
[email protected]
406-431-8708
Nathaniel Boise
[email protected]
406-546-1840
Pharmacy Technician Standard Curriculum
Related instruction outlines the courses that provide the technical knowledge that supplements the OJT learning. It is
through the combination of both the OJT and the related technical instruction that the apprentice can reach the skilled
level of the occupation. The following is the suggested course curriculum during the term of the apprenticeship:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Medical Terminology - 3 Credits.
Introduction to Pharmacy Practice for Technicians. 3 Credits.
Pharmacy Calculations. 3 Credits.
Pharmacology for Technicians. 6 Credits.
Pharmacy Dispensing Lab. 4 Credits.
Medication Safety. 3 Credits.
Pharmacy Technician On-the-Job Competencies
The following competency areas have been identified to lend focus and direction to the professional development of this
position. The apprentice will attain a basic level of mastery across all competency areas before receiving apprenticeship
certification. Basic mastery will be represented by the apprentices being able to articulate their learning with each
competency area and demonstrate they have successfully integrated all the competencies in their work. The order in
which the apprentices learn will be determined by the flow of work on-the-job and will not necessarily be in the order
listed. Times allotted to these various processes are estimated for the average apprentice to learn each phase of the
occupation and demonstrate competency. The times are intended as a guide to indicate the quality of training being
provided and the ability of an apprentice to absorb this training.
OJT Competency models adapted and edited from MODEL CURRICULUM FOR PHARMACY TECHNICIAN EDUCATION AND
TRAINING PROGRAMS, 3rd Edition, Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Copyright 2013
A. Demonstrates advanced understanding of principles of infection control. 15-30 hours.
a. Identifies the infectious process and modes of transmission of disease
b. Demonstrates CDC guidelines related to standard precautions
c. Demonstrates general principles of cleanliness in the workplace
d. Reinforces appropriate hand-washing techniques including use of hand sanitizing agents
B. Demonstrates effective communication. 15-30 hours.
a. Uses verbal and nonverbal communication to present information in a positive and nonthreatening way
b. Responds effectively and promptly to client’s requests
c. Observes and describes client's requests/prescriptions, using appropriate medical terminology and
abbreviations
d. Demonstrates communication skills with the client who has sensory deficits, i.e., a client who is blind,
hard of hearing, and/or who has visual field deficits
e. Uses supportive communication in client interactions
f. Demonstrates appropriate written communication to describe care interventions and resident
observations
g. Interacts effectively with all facility departments
h. Answers phone identifying self and facility; upholds client confidentiality in all discussions including phone
conversations
i. Provides status report on client condition to licensed pharmacist as needed
j. Incorporates customer service skills in response to client requests; obtaining appropriate answers and/or
referring to appropriate individuals as indicated
C. Foundational Professional Knowledge and Skills. Hours 15-20%
a. Demonstrate understanding of healthcare occupations and the health care delivery system
b. Demonstrate understanding of wellness promotion and disease prevention concepts, such as use of
health screenings; health practices and environmental factors that impact health; and adverse effects of
alcohol, tobacco, and legal and illegal drugs
c. Demonstrate commitment to excellence in the pharmacy profession and to continuing education and
training
d. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in areas of science relevant to the pharmacy technician’s role,
including anatomy/physiology and pharmacology
e. Perform mathematical calculations essential to the duties of pharmacy technicians in a variety of
contemporary settings
f. Demonstrate understanding of the pharmacy technician’s role in the medication-use process
g. Demonstrate understanding of major trends, issues, goals, and initiatives taking place in the pharmacy
profession
h. Demonstrate understanding of nontraditional roles of pharmacy technicians
i. Identify and describe emerging therapies
j. Technology and Informatics - Describe the use of current technology in the healthcare environment to
ensure the safety and accuracy of medication dispensing as well as a basic competency of use with
relevant technology
D. Processing and Handling of Medications and Medication Orders. 15-20%
a. Assist pharmacists in collecting, organizing, and recording demographic and clinical information for direct
patient care and medication use review
b. Receive and screen prescriptions/medication orders for completeness, accuracy, and authenticity
c. Assist pharmacists in the identification of patients who desire/require counseling to optimize the use of
medications, equipment, and devices
d. Prepare non-patient-specific medications for distribution (e.g., batch, stock medications)
e. Distribute medications in a manner that follows specified procedures
f. Practice effective infection control procedures, including preventing transmission of blood borne and
airborne diseases
g. Assist pharmacists in preparing, storing, and distributing medication products requiring special handling
and documentation (e.g., controlled substances, immunizations, chemotherapy, investigational drugs,
and drugs with mandated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies [REMS])
h. Assist pharmacists in the monitoring of medication therapy
i. Prepare patient-specific medications for distribution
j. Maintain pharmacy facilities and equipment including automated dispensing equipment
k. Use material safety data sheets (MSDS) to identify, handle, and safely dispose of hazardous materials
E. Sterile and Nonsterile Compounding. 5-10% Hours
a. Prepare medications requiring compounding of sterile products
b. Prepare medications requiring compounding of nonsterile products
c. Prepare medications requiring compounding of chemotherapy/hazardous products
d. Documents in medical record, according to facility guidelines, using objective information
F. Procurement, Billing, Reimbursement and Inventory Management. 15-20% Hours.
a. Initiate, verify, and assist in the adjudication of billing for pharmacy services and goods, and collect
payment for these services
b. Apply accepted procedures in purchasing pharmaceuticals, devices, and supplies
c. Apply accepted procedures in inventory control of medications, equipment, and devices
d. Demonstrate ability to explain pharmacy reimbursement plans for covering pharmacy services
G. Patient- and Medication-Safety
a. Apply patient- and medication-safety practices in all aspects of the pharmacy technician’s roles
b. Verify measurements, preparation, and/or packaging of medications produced by other healthcare
professionals (e.g., tech-check tech)
c. Explain pharmacists’ roles when they are responding to emergency situations and how pharmacy
technicians can assist pharmacists by being certified as Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Providers
d. Demonstrate skills required for effective emergency preparedness
e. Assist pharmacists in medication reconciliation
f. Assist pharmacists in medication therapy management
H. Regulatory Issues. 5-10%
a. Compare and contrast the roles of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in ensuring pharmacy
department compliance with professional standards and relevant legal, regulatory, formulary,
contractual, and safety requirements
b. Maintain confidentiality of patient information
I.
Quality Assurance 5-10%
a. Apply quality assurance practices to pharmaceuticals, durable and nondurable medical equipment,
devices, and supplies
b. Explain procedures and communication channels to use in the event of a product recall or shortage, a
medication error, or identification of another problem