Dear Pharmacy Technology Applicant: Pharmacy Technology Application Packet Fall 2018 Start Application deadline: August 24, 2018 Thank you for your interest in Minnesota State Community and Technical College s Pharmacy Technology program. This document contains the information you will need to apply to the program. Pharmacy Technology courses are delivered via the online classroom D2L Brightspace, with in-person weekly labs on the Wadena campus and clinical rotations as arranged. Students must participate in a total of 320 hours of clinical rotations, offered summer and fall semesters only. The purpose of the Pharmacy Technology program is to prepare qualified students for careers as entry-level pharmacy technicians in a variety of contemporary pharmacy settings (e.g., community, hospital, home care, long-term care) and prepare students with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to be successful. The Pharmacy Technology program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), which allows graduates to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam or become directly employed as pharmacy technicians. Important Notes: PSEO students are eligible to take Pharmacy Technology courses only if they will be 18 years of age by clinical rotations. Admission is based on completion of program acceptance requirements as established by ASHP. We are pleased you are considering M State and look forward to receiving your application. For questions regarding admission and program requirements, please contact the M State Support Center at 877.450.3322 or email info@. Which process of applying to M State is right for you? NEW TO M STATE - Follow this procedure if you are a student who has never attended Minnesota State Community and Technical College. Submit an online application for admission at www./admissions. Submit a $20 application fee. Submit official high school/ged and college transcripts. You can apply to the college for general education courses and to the Pharmacy Technology program at the same time. Your application will be reviewed for the Pharmacy Technology program only if you are admitted to M State. All transcripts, the application fee and transcripts for admissions to the college should be sent to: M State Central Processing 405 Colfax Ave SW Wadena, MN 56482 RETURNING STUDENT TO M STATE - Follow this procedure if you have attended M State in the past, but you are not currently enrolled in courses. If you have ever enrolled in on-campus or online courses, consider yourself a returning student. Submit an online application for admission at www./admissions. If you have attended another college since you last attended M State, submit the official transcripts to: M State Central Processing 405 Colfax Ave SW Wadena, MN 56482 CURRENT M STATE STUDENT - If you are currently enrolled at M State, continue to the next page.
Location Admission to M State Guidelines for applying to the Pharmacy Technology program Online, Wadena campus and arranged clinical experience sites. The Pharmacy Technology program is primarily online through D2L Brightspace. The program accreditation requires hands-on lab (simulations) and clinical experience. The labs are held on the Wadena campus, and clinical sites are arranged. To be admitted to the M State Pharmacy Technology program, students must apply and be accepted to M State. The application for the Pharmacy Technology program is separate but can be completed at the same time. For admission to M State, complete the online application at /admissions. The Pharmacy Technology program application must be submitted for an applicant to be admitted to the program. The online application is available at /programs/pharmacy-technology. (This document must be read and understood in its entirety prior to applying.) Pharmacy Technology Program Admission Students may submit a program application before receiving their background study results, but their application will not be processed until the results are available. In order to be considered for admission to the program, all program application requirements must be completed no later than August 24, 2018. The Pharmacy Technology program has a fall start. Applicants who meet all requirements for admission by the deadline will be admitted and allowed to register for Pharmacy Technology courses (those with a PHRM prefix) pending seat availability. Students who miss the fall start deadline may be eligible to enroll in general education courses and complete program admission requirements prior to the next fall start. If you have transfer work from another college, please allow three to six weeks for M State to evaluate your courses for transfer. Courses will not count toward your admission to the Pharmacy Technology program until they have been successfully transferred. If you have any issues with the application, please email info@.
Students must meet the following eligibility criteria. As an accredited program under American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), students who select Pharmacy Technology as a major must complete the following program admission requirements that meet ASHP Standard 4.1 before enrolling in any Pharmacy Technology (PHRM prefix) courses. Program Handbook Students must acknowledge that they have read and understand the contents of the Pharmacy Technology Program Handbook by completing the Student Acknowledgement form and uploading it within the application. ASHP Standard 4.1.c (1) (4) requires students to provide verification of education and age in order to participate in the Pharmacy Technology program. PROGRAM ADMISSION CRITERIA Education & Age Verification Math and English Proficiency Requirement (Assessment) Students may provide verification in one of the following ways: Attending high school planning to graduate High school graduate Completed GED PSEO students are eligible to enroll in the Pharmacy Technology program if the student will be 18 years of age prior to clinical rotations and graduate during the course of the program. Students must be 18 years of age and have earned a high school diploma or equivalent in order to register as a pharmacy technician. ASHP Standard 4.1.c requires the student to show evidence of command of the English language and an understanding of the minimum math requirements for industry and program needs. To provide evidence of this requirement the student must: complete an Accuplacer assessment and meet minimum scores OR complete developmental courses with a grade of C or better OR complete college-level English and/or math courses with a grade of C or better Math: Student must be eligible to enroll in college-level math (Math 1000 or higher). Students testing into developmental math must complete any required developmental course(s) up through MATH 0095 Elementary Algebra II with a grade of C or higher. Accuplacer score of 57 or above in arithmetic OR 35 or above in elementary algebra English: Students must be eligible to enroll in English 1101 College Writing. Students testing into developmental English must complete the developmental course(s) with a grade of C or higher. Accuplacer score of 78 or above in reading Proof of Identity Students should submit a program application as soon as grades post (C or better) for in-progress developmental coursework. ASHP Standard 4.2 and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) background study require students to verify their identity. Accepted forms of identification include: State-issued ID or driver license Military identification Passport
Students are required to personally deliver their MDH data forms to an M State Student Development Service office and show proof of identity which is compliant with both the program and background study requirement. Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Background Check and Fingerprinting Students must also provide proof of identification (using an acceptable form of ID) during the first lab session in order to receive an M State ID card, which is required for labs and clinical rotations. Students are required to complete and clear a Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) background check. The background check is required to comply with Minnesota law pertaining to persons having direct contact with individuals in licensed institutions and ASHP Standard 4.1.d which requires the college to identify a process to assess an applicant s background when determining acceptance. The MDH background check must return with a clear status in order for a student to be eligible for admission to the Pharmacy Technology program. Refusal to complete the background check is equal to a discrepancy, and the student is not eligible for admission to the Pharmacy Technology program. A student who does not meet the data form, fingerprinting and proof of identity submission deadline will be issued the status of missed deadline and be ineligible for program admission. A $30 non-refundable fee is assessed to the student account for the MDH background check upon email invitation to participate. The student account is assessed a $30 fee for each invitation to participate in an MDH background check. Process for submitting the Minnesota Department of Health data form: 1. The student receives an email from an M State representative with the subject line: Background Check. 2. The email contains the MDH data form and additional information regarding the background check and identification procedure. 3. Follow the directions in the email and on data form exactly as written within the timeframe allowed. 4. Students must complete the data form electronically and print it. (The student will be asked to resubmit the form if it s completed in pen or pencil.) 5. The student must personally deliver the data form to an M State campus Student Development Service office and show an accepted proof of identify. 6. Once the data form and proof of identification are submitted, the student will receive an email with instructions for completing the fingerprinting requirement. Background Check Discrepancy Status: A background check returned with a discrepancy is assigned a delayed status in the student s Pharmacy Technology admission record. The student can attempt to clear a discrepancy with the background check agency. The delayed status will remain on record until the start of that year s program or until clear, whichever comes first. If the discrepancy cannot be cleared, the student is not eligible for admission to the Pharmacy Technology program. The student is encouraged to connect with an advisor to consider an alternate career path outside of health care.
M State does not require a National Background check for admission to the Pharmacy Technology program. The National Background check is necessary when required by a clinical rotation site. National Background Check The program director or site coordinator will assist with this process if/when necessary. Students required to complete a National Background check are responsible for the fees. Students are responsible for the outcome of a National Background check even if the MDH background check is clear. A discrepancy may prevent the student from participating in or completing clinical rotations, meeting program requirements and/or receiving a degree. Refusal to complete the National Background check is equal to a discrepancy. The student will be removed from the clinical site or denied participation, which will prevent the student from meeting program requirements and/or receiving a degree. The results of a National Background check may affect employability in this career. Drug Screening M State does not require drug screening for admission to the Pharmacy Technology program. Clinical rotation sites, employers and State Boards of Pharmacy have regulations related to drug use and criminal backgrounds; therefore, drug screening is necessary when required by a clinical rotation site. Students required to complete a drug screening are responsible for the fees. The clinical site will assist the student with this process. An unclean drug screening may prevent a student from participating in or completing clinical rotations, meeting program requirements and/or receiving a degree. Refusal to participate in a drug screen is equal to an unclean test result. The student will be removed from the clinical site or denied participation. This will prevent the student from meeting program requirements and/or receiving a degree. The results of drug screening may affect employability in this career. Students are required to complete the Health Career Immunization Packet. Proof of immunization complies with state law regarding direct contact with individuals in licensed institutions and meets ASHP Standard 4.1.d regarding immunization status in relation to employment, state boards of pharmacy and clinical rotation requirements. Health Career Immunization Packet The Health Career Immunization Packet is located within the Pharmacy Technology application. Students must read, initial, complete and sign all forms electronically. The student will save, upload (attach) and submit the entire Health Career Immunization Packet when submitting the program application. (No other form of submission is accepted.) Immunization status can affect the student s ability to participate in or complete a clinical rotation. Conscientious objectors may not be able to complete clinical courses at the discretion of the clinical facilities, which may affect program completion.
Health Career Immunization Packet Information: Students should be prepared to provide student ID, personal contact information, dates of immunizations and supporting documentation to complete the Health Career Immunization Packet. A list of documents and required information is listed below: Verification of Policy and Release of Information Authorization to Release Student Information Emergency Contact Information (name, address, home and cell phone number) Health Declaration form Exposure & Immunity Requirement form Student Statement of Understanding and Release form The following immunizations must be documented on the Exposure and Immunity Requirement form. Tuberculosis (Mantoux): This is the only immunization record not submitted with the Health Career Immunization packet. Students should check the Pharmacy Technology student box on the Exposure/Immunity Requirements form. The program director will instruct Pharmacy Technology students to complete the Mantoux test during the program at the appropriate time. The student must provide evidence that the test is completed no more than 60 days prior to clinical start and annually thereafter. Immunization Definitions & Explanations Tdap: Tdap is a combination vaccine consisting of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis. A tetanus booster is required at least once every 10 years. Tdap is required at least one time between the ages of 11 and 64. Some providers use Tdap as a tetanus booster. Please note DTaP is not the same as Tdap and are not interchangeable. Chicken Pox/Varicella: Students must have received a two-dose series of the vaccine OR have a titer indicating immunity. A history of chicken pox as a child is NOT acceptable. Hepatitis B: Health career students may be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials and therefore may be at risk of acquiring the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Students are encouraged to discuss the Hepatitis B immunization with their health care provider and strongly consider vaccination. Students must have a three-dose series OR sign the declination statement. MMR: MMR is a combination vaccine consisting of measles, mumps and rubella. Students must have a two-dose series (28 days apart) or have a titer indicating immunity. Influenza: An annual flu vaccine is required. Submission of an updated vaccination may be required prior to or during the clinical experience depending upon when the vaccination was taken and if the site requires an updated document.
Failing to comply with the program admission requirements and completing all necessary steps will result in being ineligible for admission to the Pharmacy Technology program. Failure to comply with regulations that occurs while the student is admitted or actively participating in the program may require removal from clinical rotation and the program, and/or being ineligible to graduate. Students are encouraged to keep copies of all submitted documents (Transcripts, health forms and immunization records). Students may be required to update or resubmit documentation upon expiration, if requested, or if the program takes the student longer than outlined on the program plan. Notification of Admission Status Each student who has submitted a complete admissions file by a published deadline will receive an email from the college indicating whether he or she is accepted into the program, missing requirements or ineligible for the program. Please be sure to provide your current email address on your program application. Once a student is notified of acceptance to the program, all future correspondence will occur through the official M State student email. Students should check their spam or junk folders and make adjustments accordingly. Please be aware that M State s Pharmacy Technology admission requirements are subject to change in order to ensure the quality of the program. Please refer to the currently posted admission requirements when you complete your application.