Dakota County Technical College: PPL Pharmacy Technician Program

Press release from Dakota County Technical College:

December 20, 2021

DCTC, Minneapolis College, healthcare companies, and Minneapolis partner with Project for Pride in Living

Dakota County Technical College (DCTC), Minneapolis College, the city of Minneapolis, and five healthcare companies are partnering to support the Project for Pride in Living (PPL) Pharmacy Technician program, which launched in June 2019.

“We are aiming to run cohort number four in July 2022,” reported Madeline Miller, PPL employment specialist. “This program can support a class of twenty.”

Semira Salihovic is the PPL Pharmacy Technician program’s instructor. Semira also teaches the Pharm Tech curriculum at Minneapolis College. She is excited to train students to earn the PTCB certification they need to assist licensed pharmacists with dispensing prescription medications at hospitals, drugstores, grocery stores, and other pharmacy settings.

“This is a wonderful program that gets students a step closer to a healthcare career without the cost associated with for-credit coursework,” Semira said. “I am honored to be a part of this program. Each student has a personal story that tugs at my heart. I am looking forward to our future cohorts.”

Students who qualify for the PPL Pharmacy Technician program have their educational expenses covered. They also complete a paid pharmacy technician externship with pharmacy industry partners, including CVS Health, Walgreens, Hennepin Health, and Allina Health. Children’s Minnesota will be involved with the July 2022 cohort.

“Partners facilitate 60 hours of an engaging learning experience that allows students to gain exposure to the various job duties and expectations of a pharmacy technician,” Madeline added.

Qualifications for participation:

Ann Byre, vice president of pharmacy services with Allina Health, serves as secretary on the DCTC Foundation Board. Ann reported that the healthcare industry is experiencing a significant shortage of pharmacy technicians.

“The innovative partnership of PPL and DCTC to promote and recruit talented individuals to consider education and a career as a pharmacy technician is a critical community support mechanism,” she said, adding that demand for trained individuals to fill healthcare roles is at an all-time high. “Allina Health hosted four PPL pharmacy technician externs this year from late summer into the fall.”

After you successfully complete the program and your paid externship with a pharmacy industry partner, you will be prepared to take and pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam, empowering you to apply for pharmacy technician positions. Your pharmacy technician externship will give you valuable experience in a pharmacy setting.

PPL builds the hope, assets, and self-reliance of individuals and families who have lower incomes by providing transformative affordable housing and career readiness services.

PPL strives to be an equitable and inclusive organization committed to elevating the voices of the communities we serve that are disproportionately affected by systemic inequities.

As a results-driven organization, we’re committed to tracking and sharing our outcomes and using data to find constant improvement.

Sign Up for a PPL Career Training Info Session

Learn more about the new PPL Pharmacy Technician program by contacting:

Project for Pride in Living Career Center
1021 East Franklin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-455-5300

Learn more about the DCTC Foundation Board by contacting:

Amy Eppen
Foundation Development Director
651-423-8265

Dakota County Technical College
1300 145th Street E.
Rosemount, MN 55068-2999
651-423-8301

This press release was produced by Dakota County Technical College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.