The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) has designated the Pharmacy Technician program at Meridian Technology Center a recognized education/training program for students pursuing their Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential.

Beginning in 2020, a person can only qualify to take the PTCB exam if they attend a recognized education program or if they have equivalent work experience. This designation will allow students who complete their career training at Tech to be eligible to apply for their PTCB CPhT certification.

Heather Black, the instructor of Meridian’s Pharmacy Technician program, indicated certification can set students apart when they enter the job market.

“This certification is an important step to a rewarding career in health care,” Black said. “It represents a student’s commitment to mastery and professional development.”

The exam covers pharmacology, pharmacy law and regulations, compounding, medication safety, quality assurance, inventory management, medication order entry and fill processes, information systems usage and applications as well as billing and reimbursement.

Career Training at Tech

Students in Meridian’s Pharmacy Technician program develop an understanding of the names, appropriate uses and potential side effects of commonly prescribed medications. In addition to studying in a simulated pharmacy, students learn how to manage, dispense and compound prescription medicines. Upon graduation, students have the skills they need to apply for the PTCB CPhT credential. Due to industry requirements, this program is limited to high school seniors and adults.

High school, home-schooled and virtual school students who live in the Agra, Carney, Glencoe, Guthrie, Morrison, Mulhall-Orlando, Pawnee, Perkins-Tryon, Perry and Stillwater school districts can attend Meridian tuition-free during their junior and senior years.

Students spend a half day at their home high school experience and half day with Meridian in hands-on courses. Meridian is tuition free for high school students who live in the district and includes free transportation from their local public high school. Students can receive credits for high school courses in a variety of academics or as electives.

Class sizes at Meridian are small, with most having a 21 to one student/teacher ratio allowing students to focus on what they are passionate about. One in five eligible students attends Meridian, and they are finding success when they do. More than 90% of Meridian students continue their education or go right to work after Tech.

Meridian is accepting applications for the Spring 2020 semester until December 6. Adults can apply online at meridiantech.edu/adults. High school students will need to visit with their counselor.

The fall 2020 enrollment process for high school students will begin in January 2020. The priority application deadline is February 3. Applications will be accepted after that date as long as space is available. For information on any of Meridian’s 20 plus career training programs visit meridiantech.edu/programs. For more information on the application process visit meridiantech.edu/admission.