Health Training Center: Course Descriptions and Registration

Financial Assistance Options

  Health Training Center offers 2 Financial Assistance Options.  The following pages will explain and outline each option.  All options are repayment loans. There is no interest charge with Option 1

PREREQUISITE

Prerequisite for all courses: Written proof of High School graduation, or GED, or CNA, or HHA, or MA, or LPN, or college credits, or similar documentation. When signing up for classes you can see the average time students need to study for each class when you view the program and course descriptions. As an example, if you take all 5 courses at once in the Medical Assistant Certificate program, you need to plan on 23 hours per week to study.

Prerequisite for Phlebotomy & Medical Assisting: You must provide written documentation that within the past year you: 1) have had a physical exam and are in good health, and 2) have had a negative TB test ; 3) within five years have had at least 1 negative Hepatitis B shot; and 4) your MMR and Chicken Pox are current. After first class HTC is not responsible if medical tests do not meet medically accepted standards.

Prerequisite for Pharmacy Technician:

You must be 16 years or older in order to work as Pharmacy Technician in Massachusetts. More information: FAQ.

People with criminal /drug records may have a problem getting an internship/ job.

See below detailed information about Pharmacy Technician Registration. FAQ.

PAYMENT PLANS

You can see our payment plans by clicking here

FINANCIAL AID

Financial aid for your health training may be provided in case of unemployment or from the Rehabilitation Commission.Contact State organizations of your state. Here you can find some useful contact information.

http://www.state.ma.us/mrc/vr/towns.htm

http://www.ed.state.nh.us/vrcopynew/index.htm

Pharmacy Technician Registration . Frequently Asked Questions for Employers and Applicants (Board Regulations 247 CMR 8.02-8.07) setting forth the requirements for the registration of Pharmacy Technicians may be viewed on the Board's website athttp://www.state.ma.us/reg/boards/ph/default.htm and http://www.state.ma.us/reg/boards/ph/cmr_dr/techfaq.htm#03

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN REGISTRATION:
Frequently Asked Questions for Employers and Applicants

• Question # 1 Who can be employed in a pharmacy to assist the pharmacist?
• Question # 2 When can applicants apply for registration as pharmacy technicians?
• Question # 3 How old must a person be to register as a Pharmacy Technician?
• Question # 4 Do applicants have to be a high school graduate to apply?
• Question # 5 What is the final date that all pharmacy technicians must be registered with the Board?
• Question # 6 Where can an employer obtain a copy of the Board approved pharmacy technician competency assessment examination?
• Question # 7 Do applicants applying under the Grandparent Provision (experience acquired prior to July 1, 2002) also have to take a Board-approved competency assessment examination?
• Question # 8 I employ a Certified Pharmacy Technician; or I am a Certified Pharmacy Technician. What requirements does a Certified Pharmacy Technician have to meet to qualify for registration?
• Question # 9 Does a college of pharmacy student who is not registered as an intern have to register as a pharmacy technician?
• Question # 10 Are applicants required to complete a Board-approved pharmacy technician training program to qualify for registration?
• Question # 11 What are the fees to register as a Pharmacy Technician?
• Question # 12 What is required to maintain current PTCB certification (CEUs, etc.)?
• Question # 13 In what capacity can a person under age 18 be employed in the pharmacy?
• Question # 14 How long is the pharmacy technician registration process?
• Question # 15 What happens if a certified pharmacy technicians PTCB certification expires?
• Question # 16 What is the Boards authority and jurisdiction over pharmacy technicians?
• Question # 17 If an individual has already taken an employed administered technician examination, will that examination be acceptable for registration?
• Question # 18 What is the "passing score" required by the Board?

To review Board Regulations on Technician Registration
(247 CMR 8.02-8.07), visit the Boards website at www.state.ma.us/reg/boards/ph/default.htm.

Top INFO >

Question # 1

Who can be employed in a pharmacy to assist the pharmacist ?

Answer:

A pharmacy technician trainee; a pharmacy technician; a certified pharmacy technician; and a pharmacy intern may be employed in a pharmacy to assist the pharmacist. If an individual is NOT one of the above, the person may NOT be employed to assist the pharmacist in the pharmacy. Of course, non-registered individuals may also work in a pharmacy; however, they may not "assist" the pharmacist.

Question # 2

Answer:

It is expected that the process for registering pharmacy technicians will begin on or about May 1, 2002. Applications should be able available on or about by April 01, 2002. Applications are available from Professional Credentialing Services, Inc. (PCS) by calling toll-free 1-877-887-9727 or http://www.pcshq.org/. Please do NOT call the Board for an application. Applications will only be available from PCS.

Question # 3

Answer:

Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Question # 4

Answer:

Question # 5

Answer:

All technicians should register as soon as possible after May 1, 2002 but not later than December 31, 2002.

Applicants who are applying under the Grandparent Provision may qualify based on experience completed prior to July 1, 2002; however, those applicants must also complete an examination and apply to the Board for registration by July 1, 2003. Grandparent Provision applicants must meet all requirements prior to application and may NOT work as pharmacy technicians until they are registered with the Board.Employers should also note that only registered personnel may be counted in the supervisory ratios set forth in 247 CMR 8.06(3).

Question # 6

Where can an employer obtain a copy of the Board approved pharmacy technician competency assessment examination?

Answer:

Question # 7

Answer:

Question # 8

Answer:

Question # 9

Answer:

YES; if a student not registered as an intern reaches the 1000 hour maximum number of hours allowed as a pharmacy technician trainee (247 CMR 8.03(3)), the student is required to take a Board-approved examination and apply for registration as a pharmacy technician.

Question # 10

Answer:

NO, an applicant is not required to complete a formal "training program" to meet the 500 hour experience requirement for registration; however, the Board strongly recommends that applicants complete a Board-approved training program; such programs could be either developed by the employer or may be available through the colleges of pharmacy or other approved sites.

Question # 11

Answer:

Application fees are listed on the application. To register, applicants will be required to pay an $85.00 application fee to PCS. Applicants will also be required to pay a Board Registration fee (to be established by the Executive Office of Administration and Finance: estimated to be in the range of $25.00 to $38.00). All fees will be payable to PCS.A Board renewal fee will be required every two years after the initial registration period on the birthdate of the applicant.

Question # 12

Answer:

For all questions related to PTCB certification, visit the PCS website at http://www.ptcb.org/.

Question # 13

In what capacity can a person under age 18 be employed in the pharmacy?

Answer:

A person who is at least 16 years old may be employed as a technician trainee; provided that they are a high school graduate (or equivalent) or currently enrolled in a program which awards a diploma or certificate. The Board believes this policy may encourage a high school junior or senior to consider a career in pharmacy practice.

Question # 14

Answer:

If the application is compete and no further information is requested by PCS, applicants should be mailed a notice of eligibility within five-ten business days of application and a wallet registration card within four to six weeks of approval.

Question # 15

Answer:

Until PTCB certification is again current, the pharmacy technician must: (1) function and be counted in supervisory ratios as a pharmacy technician; and (2) be limited to performing only those duties authorized to be performed by Pharmacy Technicians, as set forth in 247 CMR 8.06.

Question # 16

Answer:

Pursuant to Mass. Gen. Laws. Chapter 112, sections 24C 24F, the Board has authority and jurisdiction over pharmacists, pharmacies and pharmacy technicians. Similar to the licensure of pharmacists and pharmacies, the Board is authorized to establish the requirements for the registration of pharmacy technicians and to review complaints filed regarding the conduct of a pharmacy technician.

For example, where a medication error is alleged to have occurred, the Board typically reviews the conduct of all parties involved, including the pharmacist and any assisting personnel such as pharmacy technicians, as well as the policies and procedures of the pharmacy.

Question # 17

Answer:

Question # 18

Answer:

Duties that may be performed by certified pharmacy technicians, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees are listed on the following page. Please also refer to Board Regulations 247 CMR 8.02 through 8.07 for additional information.

- WHO MAY PERFORM THE DUTY -

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