A partnership between Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Marshall Area Technical Education Center, Worthington High School, Worthington ALC, Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council (SW MN PIC) and numerous business partners have been awarded a $15,635 LYFT Pathways award for the development of a Pharmacy Technician program for high school students.

This year-long certificate program is projected to include 240 instruction hours and a 144-hour externship. It will total 10 college credits and include PHARM 1100 (course work), BIOL 2245 (med term), and PHARM 1130 or 1135 (externship - student must be 18). SW MN PIC will act as a liaison between the different high schools, their students and the businesses. Along with identified partners, SW MN PIC will help to create and place students in externships.

This course is designed for students who possess an interest in health care. The program will be taught online with access to a live instructor in designated “classroom hours” through an online learning system such as Adobe Connect and will include a hands-on externship/job experience at a local pharmacy. This course will be one step on the Career Pathway ladder. The high school student can use this certification as a career or the student could become employed as a Pharmacy Technician while they pursue another health care degree. The student would also have the opportunity to apply the credits earned to a Pharmacy Technician two-year diploma from Minnesota West. It would also give the student the opportunity to experience pharmacy work and possibly go on to receive their pharmacy degree.

In the spring of 2019, three students participated in this course.

For more information, contact Minnesota West.