The Certificate in Pharmacy Technician program has been designed to prepare students for employment as an entry-level assistant to a licensed pharmacist. Employment opportunities include positions in hospitals, medical centers, skilled nursing facilities, private pharmacies, outpatient clinics, and pharmaceutical companies. The program provides the student with the fundamentals of pharmacy calculations, drug distribution systems, and preparation of sterile dosage forms. The program emphasizes theory, as well as hands-on practice. Students are prepared for a National Certification Exam (e.g., PTCE, ExCPT, etc.) and complete a 180-hour externship. In addition to attendance in all courses, students will be required to complete out-of-class assignments. These assignments include but are not limited to reading, exercises and problem solving, projects, research, papers, and presentations. A student cananticipate out-of-class activities that equal about two (2) hours for every one (1) hour of lecture. Upon successful completion of the program (see Graduation Requirements section of the catalog), graduates could seek entry level employing in the pharmacy technician field. WASHINGTON: In order for students to attend externship, students must be licensed as a Pharmacy Assistant by the Washington Department of Health, Board of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission.