PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR ADMISSION AND PROGRESSION
PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS
Students applying to the Pharmacy Technology program must demonstrate sufficient physical and emotional health to
be considered fit to participate in academic education and laboratory experiences, and to practice clinically with the
public in a safe and effective manner.
EXAMPLES OF NECESSARY ACTIVITIES (not inclusive)
CRITICAL THINKING
Critical thinking ability
sufficient for problem solving
and clinical judgment.
• Identify cause and effect relationships in clinical situations
• Understand and participate in appropriate interventions to
reduce medication errors
• Consider and handle multiple priorities efficiently
INTERPERSONAL
SKILLS
sufficient to interact
appropriately with individuals
from a variety of backgrounds.
• Establish rapport with health care workers and patients
• Cope effectively with stress in the workplace
• Demonstrate a high degree of patience
COMMUNICATION
sufficient for professional oral
and written interactions.
• Give formal/informal reports
• Interact with patients and health care workers
MOBILITY
Physical abilities sufficient to
move throughout facilities and
within small spaces to provide
effective medication
distribution.
• Move around efficiently in pharmacy, sterile preparation
work areas, corridors, and patient care areas
• Stand for excessive periods of time
• Squat, reach above head, lift, push, pull
• Walk the equivalent of 5 miles daily at work
MOTOR SKILLS
Gross and fine motor abilities
sufficient to provide safe and
effective pharmacy services.
• Perform manipulations required for sterile and non-sterile
compounding, packaging, etc.
• Calibrate, maintain and use equipment involved in medication
delivery
• Utilize gross, fine motor skills and repetitive movements
HEARING
Auditory ability sufficient to
maintain work environment
• Hear equipment alarms, emergency signals, etc.,
• Hear telephone communications
VISION
Visual ability sufficient for
observation and accuracy in
pharmacy practice.
• Inspect medications for signs of degradation
• Read equipment calibrations and instrument graduations
•
Tactile ability sufficient for
pharmacy practice activities.
• Perform manipulations involving manual dexterity or passive
range of motion
EMOTIONAL
Emotional stability sufficient to
maintain composure in
stressful situations.
• Interact appropriately with peers, patients and supervisors at
all times, including high stress, fast paced and/or undesirable
situations
• Receive corrective feedback calmly
ENVIRONMENTAL
environmental stressors.
• Adapt to variations in work schedule
• Work with pharmaceuticals and chemicals required for
pharmacy practice
• Work in situations that require wearing protective garments
• Work in areas that are close or crowded
A prospective student with a disability that may impact their ability to perform one or more of these skills, provide
patient care, or participate in other job activities, is encouraged to contact an Accessibility Services counselor for
assistance.
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