CONCORD – Cabarrus College of Health Sciences’ associate degree pharmacy technology program was awarded national accreditation by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the only nationally recognized accrediting body for pharmacy technician training and education. The accreditation is retroactive to the first graduating class of 2013.
“ASHP-accredited programs must offer a well-rounded curriculum, including coursework, lab training, and practical experience,” said Annette Simmons, chair of the pharmacy technology program. “Starting in 2020, graduation from an accredited program will be required to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. Higher educational standards are inevitable considering how much our profession is evolving alongside that of pharmacists.”
Under a pharmacist’s supervision, pharmacy technicians prepare and dispense medications, as well as collect patient information used by health care providers in making important medical decisions. They may also handle business functions, such as ordering medications and insurance billing.
In North Carolina, hospital pharmacy technicians with the associate degree in pharmacy technology, national certification, and specialized training are permitted to check some work of other pharmacy technicians. “Most graduates of the program here at Cabarrus College are certified and working in hospital pharmacy,” said Simmons. “I’m very proud of their work thus far, and pleased they can all report they have graduated from an accredited program.”
The program is still enrolling students for the Fall 2014 semester. For more information about the program, contact Simmons at annette.simmons@cabarruscollege.edu or 704-403-3517.