The need for Pharmacy Technicians continues to grow with demand expected to increase substantially through 2020. Technicians work under the supervision of a registered pharmacist in hospitals, home infusion pharmacies, community pharmacies and other healthcare settings.
This high demand for pharmacy technicians is the result of a multitude of factors including the constant availability of new drugs, the national shortage of registered pharmacists, the establishment of certified pharmacy technicians, and the aging population. As a pharmacy technician, you will help the pharmacist package or mix prescriptions, maintain client records, refer clients to the pharmacist for counseling, assist with inventory control and purchasing as well as collect payment and coordinate billing.
Upcoming Course Sections
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Key Curriculum
This course covers the following key areas and topics:
- Pharmacy calculations
- Medical terminology specific to the pharmacy
- Skills to read and interpret prescriptions
- Review of the top 100 drugs
- Skills to identify drugs by generic and brand names
- Dosage calculations, I.V. flow rates, drug compounding, and dose conversions
- Dispensing of prescriptions, inventory control, and billing and reimbursement
Detailed Curriculum
A detailed list of curricula topics are listed below.
- The history of pharmacy and healthcare
- Pharmacy technician role and responsibilities
- Pharmacy Laws, Regulations, and Ethics
- Drug Regulation and Control
- Pharmaceutical Terminology and related anatomy
- Organ Systems
- Drug Classifications
- Medical Abbreviations
- Medical Calculations
- Prescriptions and Processing
- Pharmacy Abbreviations
- Types of pharmacies including the community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, retail practice, long-term care practice, mail order pharmacy, home care pharmacies, and others
- Parts of the prescription and labeling
- Routes and formulations
- Parenterals and compounding
- Basic biopharmaceutics
- Aseptic technique and the handling of sterile products
- Basics of IV solutions and calculating 24-hour supply of IV solutions
- Factors affecting drug activity
- Common Drugs & their Uses
- Information and pharmacy resources
- Inventory management and financial issues
- Brand names and generic drugs
- Drug names and drug classes
Pre-Requisites
- Minimum 18 years of age
- High school completion or its equivalent
- Students need competency in basic computer operation
- Students will need internet and email access - this is an ONLINE course
- Able to pass Federal Background Check
- Must have desktop computer or Laptop (Netbooks, ChromeBooks are not compatible with online platform)
Tuition, Payment, and Duration
- Course Fee - $900 includes books, supplies, and certificate
- 14-week ONLINE
- Payment plan available prior to program start - call for details
Credential Awarded
Upon completion of the program, successful students will earn the following:
- Patient Services Technician (Phlebotomy/Lab Tech) Certificate of Completion
- Eligible to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) for licensure or certification
Community Job Survey
Employment of Pharmacy Technicians has 7% growth projection each year through 2028
