Part 1 3.7.qxp - Southwestern Oregon Community College

Health Occupations/Medical Technical
Description: These programs are designed to prepare students for employment as
skilled technical members of health occupations teams.
Pharmacy technicians are trained to assist the pharmacist in preparing and
dispensing medications in hospitals, long-term care facilities, as well as independent
and chain store pharmacies connected to retail stores.
Employment Opportunities: Pharmacy technician career opportunities range from
fair to excellent with occupational titles that include Pharmacist Assistant and
Pharmacy Technician.
The Pharmacy Technician Certificate of Completion program's core courses
will be offered every other year. Some core courses will be offered only during
those years that the program is run in its entirety. Students can work during the
odd-numbered years on the approved non-core courses for the program in
preparation for when the core courses and entire program will be offered. Non-core
courses marked with an asterisk (*) are offered each year (see next page). Please
see an advisor for further information.
The program prepares individuals for employment in hospital and retail pharmacies.
Pharmacy Technician is a category of support personnel and denotes a skilled worker
who has been trained to assist the pharmacist in preparing and dispensing
medications. This category of support personnel is spelled out in Oregon
Administrative Rules 855-41-205 under the auspices of the Oregon State Board of
Pharmacy. Due to the nature of this curriculum and the access to drugs, all students
will have to declare themselves "drug free" and be subject to a criminal investigation
check. Any student who is unable, for any reason, to complete the practice parts of this
curriculum will not be able to continue in the program. Drug testing will be done prior
to clinical practice. This is a restricted program, and students must be formally
admitted to the Pharmacy Technician program. Graduates may choose to take a
national certification examination at the successful conclusion of the program.
Contact the Student Services Office in Dellwood Hall, back lobby window, for
application requirements.
The Medical Aide Certificate of Completion prepares students to work in a
medical office or as an aide in a health care setting. Medical clerical workers or aides
will process and transmit information to physicians, patients, office personnel and
outside organizations. These activities require a good command of the English
language, medical terminology and a basic understanding of the structure and
functions of the human body. Medical clerical workers or aides must be tactful in
their dealings with many different people, and therefore should possess excellent
interpersonal skills. Discretion, judgment, organizational ability, and initiative are
important, as well as versatility and adaptability. Conscientiousness, a sense of
responsibility, and respect for the confidential nature of medical information are also
required. Sample jobs/titles include: Home Health Aide, Caregiver, Personal Care
Attendant, Residence Assistant, Office Clerk/Receptionist.
• Pending state approval the Medical Aid Certificate of Completion
will be available fall 2006.
See Public Safety section for:
Emergency Medical Technician Certificate of Completion
Program notes
Certificate of Completion Pharmacy Technician
Notes:
•Acceptance to the program will be on a first-come, first-served qualified applicant
basis. Students will be formally admitted to the program during the fall term. For
program application procedures and entrance requirements, contact the Student
Services Office in Dellwood Hall, back lobby window. Students must successfully
complete all courses in a quarter before advancing to the next quarter.
•Non-core courses marked with an asterisk (*) are offered each year. Please see
an advisor for further information.
Southwestern Oregon Community College 2006-07 Catalog www.socc.edu Programs 112