Pharmacy Technician Program
Pharmacy Technician Program in Aurora, CO
This certificate program prepares students to assist in the preparation of prescribed medications. You will be qualified to work as a pharmacy technician in a retail pharmacy, hospital, nursing home, assisted living facilities, or mail-order pharmacies. You will learn how to use medical terms, make dosage calculations, and work with insurance claims. Upon completion of the program, you will be prepared to take the Pharmacy Technical Certificate Board Exam (PTCB).
The following certificate may be earned:
Pharmacy Technician Certificate
Alice Casey
YEARS TEACHING: At Pickens: 2015 – Present
YEARS IN INDUSTRY: 1982 – Present
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND:
- Hospital, Community, Chemotherapy Pharmacy practice focusing in Sterile Admixture Preparation
- Narcotic monitor and controller for surgical case usage and waste
- Emergency Response team member for Trauma, COR, and Strokes
- Stockholder with the State of Colorado Prescription Drug Prevention Consortium
- Partner with the DEA and local law enforcement for the bianual National Drug Take Back Day event
- Community volunteer for Healthcare awareness and drug prevention
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
TEACHING BACKGROUND: Industry Field: 13 Years
INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR DEGREES: CPhT, BLS Certified Instructor, Mental Health First Aider
Jennifer Friend
YEARS TEACHING: Dr. Friend has been at Pickens since late 2020.
YEARS IN INDUSTRY: 18 years
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND: After graduating with a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree (PharmD) in 2003, Dr. Friend worked in drug information and hospital pharmacy roles before becoming a consultant pharmacist specializing in long-term care. In 2012, Dr. Friend became the Division Director of Pharmacy Services for Sava Senior Care, a national long-term care organization, wherein she oversaw all pharmacy services in West division nursing facilities. In 2014, she became the Division Director of Pharmacy for the State of Colorado’s Veterans Community Living Centers and stayed in that role until joining Pickens in late 2020.
TEACHING BACKGROUND: Dr. Friend started teaching at Pickens in 2020, but before this time she served as a clinical preceptor for the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy for six years. She was an adjunct faculty member for the Arapahoe Community College’s Pharmacy Technician program from 2003 to 2004.
INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR DEGREES: Dr. Friend received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Neuroscience from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1997, and then earned her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of Colorado in 2003. She was included in the Who’s Who in Geriatrics in December 2019, received the Excellence in Precepting for Health-System Pharmacy award in July 2020, and was honored as one of the Top Women in Medicine in December 2020.