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Pharmacy Technician

April 2010 Needs Assessment

Prepared by Carli Straight

Date: April 16, 2010 Pharmacy Technician

RRN 1,715

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Scope Data compiled in this report covers San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles counties. Data were drawn from external sources, including the Employment Development Department’s California Labor Market Information and the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), as well as Chaffey College’s Colleague Administrative database.

Data Sources and Calculations Educational Program Data

TOP Code Program of Study

1221.00 Pharmacy Technology

The Taxonomy of Programs (TOP) is a standardized system used at the state level to classify programs and courses at California Community Colleges that are intended to achieve the same outcome. The Pharmacy Technician program at Chaffey College is classified under the Pharmacy Technology TOP code.

CIP Code Program of Study

51.0805 Pharmacy Technician/Assistant

The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) is a standardized coding system used at the federal level to facilitate accurate tracking, assessment, and reporting of fields of study and program completion at educational institutions throughout the country. This report draws on the Pharmacy Technician/Assistant CIP code, which maps to the Pharmacy Technology TOP code, to compare Chaffey College to other institutions and examine employment trends.

Completions Data Degree and certificate data regarding students at Chaffey College were collected from the Colleague Administrative database. Degree and certificate data for all comparison schools were collected from the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). All comparison institutions included in this report are postsecondary and have provided data to IPEDS. IPEDS defines postsecondary education as a formal program designed primarily for students beyond high school age. These include academic, vocational, and continuing professional education, and exclude avocational and adult basic education programs.

Occupational Data

SOC Code Occupational Title

31.9095 Pharmacy Aides

29.2052 Pharmacy Technicians

The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system is used by federal statistical agencies to classify workers into occupational categories. The Pharmacy Technician/Assistant CIP code was mapped to the two SOC codes listed in the table above using the crosswalk described in the paragraph below.

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Educational Program to Occupation Crosswalk The TOP-CIP-SOC Crosswalk (Employment Development Department, 2007) was used in this report to map TOP codes to CIP and SOC codes. This crosswalk allows the user to estimate labor market demand for California Community College program completers using SOC-based projections from the California Labor Market Information Division. Industry Data The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is used by federal statistical agencies to classify business establishments for the purpose of conducting and reporting research on the U.S. business economy. The Standard Occupation Classification codes are mapped to industry data by the California Labor Market Information Division. Industry information is used to geographically map the business locations of potential employers as well as to observe trends across the industries that employ the occupations identified above.

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Introduction and Contents

Contents Background Information 5 Regional Job Outlook 7 Largest and Fastest Growing Industry Employers 9 Regional Graduation Summary 10 Chaffey College’s Performance on Core Indicators 12 Map of Regional Employers and Competitor Institutions 13

Purpose and Goals Chaffey College currently offers a 24-unit Associate of Science and a 24-unit Certificate option in the Pharmacy Technician program. The following is a description of the Pharmacy Technician program as outlined in the 2009-10 Catalog: “This occupational program prepares students for work as Pharmacy Technicians. The program provides both the technical and practical training that enables the technician, upon licensure, to function as a competent entry-level assistant to the pharmacist. Pharmacy Technicians may be employed in hospitals, community pharmacies, home-health care settings, and government agencies. Program curriculum consists of lecture and laboratory instruction in both simulated and supervised clinical environments. Upon successful completion of the Pharmacy Technician (PT) program, students are qualified to apply to the California State Board of Pharmacy for registration; registration is a legal requirement for work in California as a pharmacy technician. California law also allows for the denial of certification on the basis of any prior criminal convictions substantially related to pharmaceutical practice.” The purpose of this report is to integrate and analyze data from multiple sources to determine labor market needs for the Pharmacy Technician program at Chaffey College.

Regional Definitions

Inland Empire includes the Riverside-San

Bernardino-Ontario Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Los Angeles County includes the Los Angeles-

Long Beach-Glendale Metropolitan Division

Orange County includes the Santa Ana-

Anaheim-Irvine Metropolitan Division

Key Terms and Concepts

Replacement Jobs: Replacement jobs refer to

the number of job openings due to workers leaving an occupation.

Annual Openings: Annual openings are

calculated by adding the number of new jobs to the number of replacement jobs, divided by the number of years in the projection period.

Projections: Projections of employment are

calculated by the Employment Development Department and are based on a mathematical formula that includes historical employment and economic indicators along with national, state, and local trends.

Occupation: Jobs are grouped into occupations

using the federal Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.

Industry: Occupations are grouped into industries

using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

Wages: Hourly wages are reported in percentiles

and averages. The 25th percentile is a useful proxy

of entry-level wages and the 75th

percentile of experienced-level wages.

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Background Information

1 California Community Colleges, Chancellor’s Office, Taxonomy of Programs, Sixth Edition (Corrected Version).

2 O*Net Online: http://online.onetcenter.org/find

Pharmacy Technology Pharmacy Technology programs in California Community Colleges focus on teaching students principles and procedures used to assist in maintaining and dispensing pharmaceutical supplies and medications.

1 The descriptions of job duties for Pharmacy Aides and Pharmacy Technicians are

provided by the Occupational Information Network.2

Pharmacy Aides Pharmacy Aides record drugs that are delivered to the pharmacy, store incoming merchandise, and inform their supervisors of stock needs. They may also operate the cash register and accept prescriptions for filling. Typical Tasks

Accept prescriptions for filling, gathering and processing necessary information

Answer telephone inquiries, referring callers to pharmacist when necessary

Prepare solid and liquid dosage medications for dispensing into bottles and unit dose packaging

Greet customers and help them locate merchandise

Unpack, sort, count and label incoming merchandise, including items requiring special handling or refrigeration

Prepare prescription labels by typing or operating a computer and printer

Receive, store and inventory pharmaceutical supplies, notifying pharmacist when levels are low

Operate cash register to process cash and credit sales

Restock storage areas, replenishing items on shelves

Perform clerical tasks such as filing, compiling and maintaining prescription records, and composing letters

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Pharmacy Technicians Pharmacy Technicians prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist, measuring, mixing, counting out, labeling, and recording amounts and dosages of medications. Typical Tasks

Receive written prescription or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate

Establish and maintain patient profiles, including lists of medications taken by individual patients

Maintain proper storage and security conditions for drugs

Answer telephones, responding to questions or requests

Prepack bulk medicines, fill bottles with prescribed medications, and type and affix labels

Mix pharmaceutical preparations according to written prescriptions

Clean and help maintain equipment and work areas, and sterilize glassware according to prescribed methods

Price and file prescriptions that have been filled

Assist customers by answering simple questions, locating items or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information

Receive and store incoming supplies, verify quantities against invoices, check for outdated medications in current inventory, and inform supervisors of stock needs and shortages

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Regional Job Outlook

Projected Regional Job Outlook The table below displays 2006 employment estimates and 2016 projections for Pharmacy Aides and Pharmacy Technicians. Job openings for Pharmacy Aides are very few across all regions of interest, and are only being filled to replace employees who leave. Job openings for Pharmacy Technicians, on the other hand, are relatively plentiful across all regions of interest and are a result of both new openings and replacements.

Total

Estimated 2006 Jobs

Total Projected 2016 Jobs

Projected Growth (%)

Ave. Annual New Job Openings

Ave. Annual Replacement Job Openings

Ave. Annual Total Job Openings

Pharmacy Aides

State of California 7,300 6,800 -500 (-6.9%) -50 140 90

Inland Empire 750 710 -40 (-5.3%) -4 13 9

Los Angeles CO 1,990 1,800 -190 (-9.5%) -19 44 25

Orange CO 770 710 -60 (-7.8%) -6 16 10

Pharmacy Technicians

State of California 23,300 31,700 8,400 (36.1%) 840 710 1,550

Inland Empire 2,380 3,350 970 (40.8%) 97 73 170

Los Angeles CO 6,320 8,420 2,100 (33.2%) 210 193 403

Orange CO 1,970 2,690 720 (36.5%) 72 60 132

Source: Labor Market Information Division, Employment Development Department, Occupation Profile, on the Internet at: http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/ (visited April 8, 2010).

Projected Regional Job Growth The graphs below shows the projected growth from 2006 to 2016 of Pharmacy Aide and Pharmacy Technician jobs. As the graphs show, the number of Pharmacy Aide jobs is expected to decline over this time period across all regions of interest. The number of Pharmacy Technician jobs, on the other hand, is expected to grow by over 30% in all regions of interest.

-15

-5

5

15

25

35

California Inland Empire

Los Angeles County

Orange County

% G

row

th

Pharmacy Aides

0

10

20

30

40

50

California Inland Empire

Los Angeles County

Orange County

% G

row

th

Pharmacy Technicians

Source: Labor Market Information Division, Employment Development Department, Occupation Profile, on the Internet at: http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/ (visited April 8, 2010).

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Regional Hourly Wages

This table displays the 2009 hourly wage statistics of occupations associated with Pharmacy Technology. In general, Pharmacy Technicians earn more than Pharmacy Aides. Wages are comparable across all regions of interest.

Mean Hourly Rate 25th

Percentile Median Hourly Rate 75th

Percentile

Pharmacy Aides

State of California $11.67 $9.19 $10.36 $13.05

Inland Empire $10.77 $9.08 $9.97 $12.01

Los Angeles CO $10.91 $8.93 $9.69 $11.77

Orange CO $11.46 $9.19 $10.13 $12.86

Pharmacy Technicians

State of California $17.69 $14.66 $17.55 $20.17

Inland Empire $16.39 $13.46 $16.59 $19.11

Los Angeles CO $16.99 $13.96 $17.08 $19.87

Orange CO $17.88 $15.47 $17.79 $20.17

Source: Labor Market Information Division, Employment Development Department, Occupation Profile, on the Internet at: http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/ (visited April 8, 2010).

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Largest and Fastest Growing Industry Employers

Largest Industry Employers of Pharmacy Technician-Related Occupations The graphs below display the 2006 staffing patterns of the largest industries employing Pharmacy Aides and Pharmacy Technicians across the state of California. Whereas only three industries employed Pharmacy Aides during this year, ten industries employed Pharmacy Technicians. Moreover, Grocery Stores employ the largest number of Pharmacy Aides and Health and Personal Care Stores employ the largest number of Pharmacy Technicians.

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100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Nu

mb

er

of

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yees

Pharmacy Aides

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

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yees

Pharmacy Technicians

Source: Labor Market Information Division, Employment Development Department, Staffing Patterns, on the Internet at: http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/iomatrix/staffing-patterns1.asp (visited April 12, 2010). Change Over Time of the Largest Industry Employers of Pharmacy Technician-Related Occupations The graphs below display projections of staffing changes from 2006-2016 of the largest industries employing Pharmacy Aides and Pharmacy Technicians in the state of California. None of the industries employing Pharmacy Aides are expected to increase the number of Pharmacy Aide positions. On the other hand, four of the largest industries that employ Pharmacy Technicians are expected to increase the number of Pharmacy Technician positions.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

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Pharmacy Aides

0%

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60%

80%

100%

Perc

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t C

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ge

Pharmacy Technicians

Source: Labor Market Information Division, Employment Development Department, Staffing Patterns, on the Internet at: http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/iomatrix/staffing-patterns1.asp (visited April 12, 2010).

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Regional Graduation Summary

Education and Training3 Pharmacy Aides typically receive on the job training but most employers prefer at least a high school diploma. The job of Pharmacy Aide is likely to appeal to those who enjoy working with people and performing tasks that are organized, clearly defined, and require an attention to detail. Pharmacy Technicians must be licensed to practice in California by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Pharmacy. To obtain this license, they must meet specific educational requirements, pass a criminal background check, and obtain a Live Scan fingerprint clearance. The job of Pharmacy Technician is likely to appeal to those who enjoy working with people and performing duties that are organized, clearly defined, and require an attention to detail.

Regional Completers in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant Programs The table below displays the number of program completers in the 2008-09 academic year at regional institutions offering Pharmacy Technology programs. Besides Chaffey College, there are 36 institutions offering degrees or certificates below the baccalaureate level across the four county region.

Institution Name

Award Level

< 1 year Certificate 1 to < 2 year Certificate

Associate’s Degree

2 to < 4 year Certificate

Chaffey College -- 17 9 --

American Career College – Ontario 91 -- -- --

American Career College – Anaheim 216 -- -- --

American Career College – Los Angeles

254 -- -- --

American College of Healthcare -- 0 -- --

Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education

-- 31 -- --

Career Colleges of America 41 -- -- --

Cerritos College 0 7 7 --

Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science

0 -- -- --

Everest College – Alhambra 64 -- -- --

Everest College – City of Industry 91 -- -- --

Everest College – LA Wilshire 0 -- -- --

Everest College – Ontario 66 -- -- --

Everest College – Reseda 40 -- -- --

Everest College – Torrance 89 -- -- --

Everest College – West Los Angeles 50 -- -- --

Four-D College 94 -- -- --

3 Labor Market Info, Employment Development Department, California Occupational Guides, on the Internet at:

http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/occguides/ (visited April 12, 2010).

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ICDC College 30 -- -- --

Intercoast Colleges – West Covina 7 -- -- --

Intercoast Colleges – Riverside 5 -- -- --

Intercoast Colleges – Carson 19 -- -- --

Kaplan College – Palm Springs -- 101 -- --

Kaplan College - Riverside -- 136 -- --

Los Angeles ORT College 29 -- -- --

Los Angeles ORT College – Van Nuys 21 -- -- --

Milan Institute 41 -- -- --

North-West College – Glendale 63 -- -- --

North-West College – Pasadena 4 -- -- --

North-West College – Pomona 16 -- -- --

North-West College – West Covina 45 -- -- --

Pomona Unified School District Adult and Career Education

38 -- -- --

San Bernardino Valley College 15 -- 11 --

San Joaquin Valley College – Rancho Cucamonga

-- 0 8 --

Santa Ana College 35 -- 7 --

United Education Institute – Huntington Park Campus

398 -- -- --

University of Antelope Valley -- -- 0 --

West Los Angeles College 0 -- -- --

Total 1,862 292 42 --

Note: “--“ indicates that this type of degree is not offered. “0” indicates that this degree/certificate level is offered but no degrees or certificates were granted. Source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, on the Internet at: http://www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ (visited April 13, 2010)

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Chaffey College’s Performance on Core Indicators

The Perkins IV Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 mandates that all state and local postsecondary institutions provide data on six core performance indicators for their career and technical education programs. These indicators are: 1) Technical Skill Attainment; 2) Completions; 3) Persistence and Transfer; 4) Employment; 5) Nontraditional Participation; and 6) Nontraditional Completion. Performance goals are set at the state and local levels and progress is monitored based on a comparison between the actual percentage of students who master each performance area and the negotiated levels of performance.

2008-2009 Chaffey College Performance on Core Indicators The table below displays negotiated and actual core performance indicator levels for all Chaffey College students classified under the Pharmacy Technology TOP code. These students performed above district negotiated levels in five of the six areas measured.

Core Performance Indicators

Negotiated Level Chaffey College

Performance

Percent Above or Below District

Negotiated Level State District

Pharmacy Technology

Core 1 – Technical Skill Attainment 88.37% 87.93% 94.23% 6.3%

Core 2 – Completions- Credential, Certificate, Degree, or Transfer Ready

81.65% 78.95% 92.00% 13.1%

Core 3 – Persistence and Transfer 85.47% 83.62% 76.92% -6.7%

Core 4 – Employment 81.80% 80.33% 86.36% 6.0%

Core 5a – Non-traditional Participation 20.27% 19.05% 23.08% 4.0%

Core 5b – Non-traditional Completions 21.99% 19.72% 32.14% 12.4%

Source: CA Community Colleges Reporting Services, Radio and Television, College Core Indicator Information by 6-Digit TOP (2010-2011)

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Map of Regional Employers and Competitor Institutions

Home and Personal Care Stores employ the majority of Pharmacy Technicians whereas Grocery Stores employ the majority of Pharmacy Aides. This map focuses on the locations of Home and Personal Care Stores, due to the strong market for Pharmacy Technicians and weak market for Pharmacy Aides. Across all four counties of interest, there are 7,572 employers in the Home and Personal Care Store industry listed by the California Labor Market (4,621 in Los Angeles County, 1,586 in Orange County, 704 in Riverside County, and 661 in San Bernardino County). This map illustrates the location of a random selection of 10% of all employers in the Home and Personal Care Stores industry, generated using SPSS Statistical Software. Also included are the locations of Chaffey College and other competitor schools offering a degree or certificate in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant programs.