Charter College will be hosting an Open House on Thursday, Aug. 14 to celebrate the opening of its Pharmacy Tech lab on the Lynnwood campus.

From 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., members of the community are welcome to visit the campuses in Lynnwood (19401 40th Avenue West, Suite 400) for tours and free blood pressure screenings. There will also be demonstrations from instructors and students in the pharmacy tech, dental assisting and medical assisting programs.

Both campuses will donate $10 per attendee to the Washington Diversity and Veterans Foundation.

Through the Charter College pharmacy technician program, students can earn a certificate in as little as 10 months and launch a new career in the growing health care field. Employment for pharmacy technicians in Lynnwood is expected to grow by 1.3 percent to 3.4 percent per year, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department Occupation Employment Projections. The Washington State Employment Security Department estimates that pharmacy technicians in in Lynnwood earned just over $42,000, on average. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies Pharmacy Technician as growing at a faster than average rate of more than 20 percent through 2022.

The new Charter College Pharmacy Lab includes special computers, a laminar flow hood and a compounding area. Use of the lab equipment will teach students basic procedures and calculations, as well as key skills such as: creating and monitoring patient profiles (giving special attention to drug interactions, allergies and medical conditions/diseases); preventing medication errors; understanding complex insurance problems; managing inventory and drug recalls; staying safe; and maintaining and using basic equipment.

Through the Charter College innovative Blended Learning format, pharmacy technician students area have the convenience and flexibility of online classes along with the added benefit of hands-on training twice a week. For more information on Charter College’s Pharmacy Tech program, visit https://www.chartercollege.edu/news-hub/finding-rewards-pharmacy-career.

Charter College is a private, independent institution of higher education, providing students with a career-focused education in growing job fields that include health care, business, information technology, criminal justice, the legal field, and select trades. Charter College operates college campuses in California, Washington State, Alaska and operates an online program. For more information, visit https://www.chartercollege.edu.