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High School Center Programs ⟶ Program Themes ⟶ Clinical Healthcare: Pharmacy Technician

Clinical Healthcare: Pharmacy Technician

Turn your passion for helping others into a high-powered healthcare career!  Learn how medicines work, train in real-world clinical settings like local hospitals, and earn your Certified Pharmacy Technician credential before you even finish school.  Jumpstart your path to becoming a Pharmacist or a medical professional today! Students progress through integrated science coursework and clinical training, earning industry-recognized credentials as a Certified Pharmacy Technician and building valuable skills and knowledge for future study in any medical field.

 

Core Experiences

  • Join Future Health Professions Association (HOSA) State and National Competitions
  • Graduate as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
  • Experience real-world medical science field trips and clinical site visits
  • Connect directly with healthcare mentors and guest speakers
  • Receive personalized healthcare career advising and exploration

 

Program Goals

  1. Develop Foundational Knowledge and Skills
    Equip students with a strong academic foundation in healthcare and pharmaceutical sciences practices through rigorous, standards-based coursework.
  2. Provide Hands-On, Real-World Experience
    Engage students in experiential learning through labs, simulations, compounding and dispensing practice, career-connected learning, and industry partnerships to build practical skills and career readiness.
  3. Foster Career and College, Career and/or Community Pathways
    Support students in exploring and pursuing postsecondary education and/or careers in healthcare by offering certifications, dual enrollment opportunities, and mentorship from industry professionals.

 

Application and Locations

Selection Process: Interest-based application

Schools:

  • Northern Region: Clarksburg

Course Progression

Below is a sample sequence of courses for students enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician Program. Cells in blue are related to the program pathway. Cells in dark blue indicate courses that are part of the MSDE Career and Technology Education Program of Study in Pharmacy Technician.  This is subject to change as the programs are developed.

Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12

Honors Biology for MED Centers

Pharmacy Technician I*

Pharmacy Technician II*

Pharmacy Technician III*

Introduction to Healthcare

Honors Chemistry for MED Centers

AP Biology Double Period
or
Honors Physics for MED Centers AND Anatomy & Physiology

Advanced Biology Elective or
Medical Career-Connected Learning or
Dual Enrollment
Technology Credit (if needed) Elective (PE, Health or Fine Arts) Elective (PE, Health or Fine Arts)

World Language*

World Language*

 World Language or Elective World Language or Elective
Integrated Algebra I or Higher Math Math Math
English English English English
US History US Government World History Elective (PE, Health or Fine Arts)
*Part of the MCPS graduation requirements includes either 2 credits in a world language or completion of a state-approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) program of study along with a minimum of 0.5 elective credit or more depending on the program of study.  Pharmacy Technician I, II, and III are part of the state-approved Certified Clinical Medical Assistant CTE program of study. Speaking additional languages is very important in the medical field, so students in the center program are expected to take at least two years of a world language or more.  Additionally, students who plan to attend a four-year college or university after high school should take enough world language courses to meet admission requirements and strengthen their college applications.

Program Requirements

In addition to MCPS requirements for graduation, students must complete the following to remain enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician Program and earn the related certificate:

  • Introduction to Healthcare (cohorted)
  • Honors Biology for MED Centers (cohorted)
  • Honors Chemistry for MED Centers (cohorted)
  • AP Biology Double Period or Honors Physics and Anatomy & Physiology
  • 3 Credits Pharmacy Technician (I, II, and III, cohorted)
  • One credit of advanced biology elective, career-connected learning or dual enrollment course
  • Two credits of world language