Advanced Pharmacy Technology (PHRH/APHR)

As of Spring 2024, this program is being phased out and no longer accepting new students.

The Roane State Advanced Pharmacy Technology Certificate Program is a two-semester program preparing students to enter the pharmacy field as trained technicians. It is intended to provide comprehensive, quality training to students so they will be able to function in community and organized health care pharmacy settings. Upon completion of the certificate program students will be ready to obtain national certification by taking the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) examination.

All Pharmacy Technology courses are taught at the Oak Ridge Campus. Enrollment is limited.

Admission Requirements

1. Complete the Roane State Community College (RSCC) admissions process to become an admitted student.
2. Complete the electronic Allied Health Science (AHS) application on RaiderNet and submit by the published application deadline.
   Note: When choosing the Planned Course of Study, select ‘Advanced Pharmacy Technology. If ‘Advanced Pharmacy Technology" is not selected as a Planned Course of Study you will not be considered for the program. 
3. Achieve an ACT Math Score of 17 or higher OR Accuplacer Math score of 240 or higher. 
4. Achieve an ACT Reading Score of 18 or higher OR Accuplacer Reading Score of 240 or higher.
5. In addition, for students with prior college-level credit, the cumulative GPA must be a 2.0 or higher.
6. Certification as a Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider is encouraged prior to admission.

The tools used to evaluate English language proficiency (including reading, writing, and speaking) and math proficiency include but are not limited to: Providing ACT, SAT, Compass, Accuplacer or other approved standardized exams, with test scores that are less than 3 years old OR providing college transcripts that document the applicant has previously taken and successfully completed developmental learning support or college level courses in those areas. 

Note: Students meeting minimum requirements are not guaranteed acceptance. Preference will be given to Tennessee residents. 

Program Application Deadline

March 31. Applications will be accepted until the program is filled.

Criminal Background Checks

Criminal background checks and drug screening may be a requirement at affiliated clinical sites utilized for training in Health Science and Nursing programs. Based on the results of these checks, an affiliated clinical site may determine to not allow your presence at their facility. This would result in your inability to successfully complete the requirements of a Health Science or Nursing program. Students will be responsible for the costs of the background check. Additionally, a criminal background may preclude registration with the state board of pharmacy or employment. More information is available from your program director.

Health Guidelines

Students will be required to meet all health guidelines of affiliated clinical agencies. Personal health insurance may be required by some agencies. Students are highly encouraged to carry personal health insurance and are responsible for costs incurred due to injury or illness while enrolled. Students will be responsible for the cost of the physical examination and required immunizations and/or testing.

Students will be required, during the course of the program to demonstrate their physical and/or emotional fitness to meet the essential requirements of the program. Such essential requirements include freedom from communicable diseases, the ability to perform certain tasks, and suitable emotional fitness. Any appraisal measures used to determine such physical and/or emotional fitness will be in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American Disabilities Act of 1990. Students will be required to meet all health guidelines of the affiliating agencies. Students are responsible for cost incurred from injury or illness while in the Advanced Pharmacy Technology Program.

Retention

A student must maintain the following standards or he/she will be dismissed from the program:

1. A grade of “C” or better in each specialty course.
2. Completion of specialty courses as specified by the certificate checklist. A student must be able to complete courses with the class in which he/she was admitted. A student who cannot graduate with the class in which he/she was admitted will be dropped from that class and must reapply to a subsequent class.
3. Prior to clinical training, evidence of malpractice insurance and a physical examination must be provided.
4. Students may have to register with the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy before attending clinicals.
5. Students admitted to the program whose use of alcohol or consciousness-altering drugs interferes with their performance will be referred for a drug screen and counseling. Failure to correct the problem will result in dismissal from the program.
   The RSCC policy of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Sanctions applies to all students regardless of the program in which they are enrolled. In cases where alcohol and drug violations occur, disciplinary action, as well as the decision whether to test for alcohol or drugs, will be processed through the Dean of Allied Health Sciences and the office of the Dean of Students.

Readmission Procedures

A student must request readmission after a grade of “D” or “F” is received in a core course or after withdrawal from the program at any time during the semester.

A student may be considered for readmission to the program if all of the following criteria are met:

1. Students applying for readmission must meet all admissions criteria listed above. The applicant must submit a readmission request in writing to the Program Director at least thirty (30) days prior to enrollment. The request must be a detailed personal reflection of the reason(s) for the unsuccessful performance and a plan of correction.
2. One (1) readmission to the program will be permitted.
3. The applicant applying for readmission may be required to interview with the Program Director for consideration of readmission before the review date by the AHS Admissions Committee.
4. An acceptable level of discipline-specific competency may need to be demonstrated prior to readmission.
5. A student with previous unsatisfactory clinical performance must be recommended for readmission by consensus of the program faculty.
   Note: The Program Director will verify that all readmission documents and criteria including licensure/credentials are current and valid.
6. Readmission to an Allied Health Sciences program is contingent upon the availability of space.
7. Students who are dismissed for reasons associated with academic misconduct or violations of a code of ethics will not be considered for re-admission.
8. A student must repeat the specialty course or courses for which he/she was dismissed and attain a “C” or better in the course.
9. A student may be readmitted to the program within one year from the semester they failed. Before being considered for readmission they will be required to take a competency exam for those course(s) which they previously successfully completed. Upon successful completion of those exams they will be considered for readmission to the program and be required to take only the course(s) they failed. If they do not successfully complete the competency exam(s), they can reapply for admission but will have to repeat all courses. Successful completion of a competency exam(s) would mean a grade of 70 or greater.

Students wishing to pursue an A.A.S. Allied Health Sciences with an emphasis in Pharmacy Technology should contact their advisor. A certain number of credit hours in each program must be completed in order to meet the graduation residency requirement. Contact your advisor for the requirement of your program.

http://www.roanestate.edu/?5980-Pharmacy-Technician