Pharmacy Technician Course Descriptions

This course begins with an overview of the anatomy and physiology of the heart, circulatory system and renal system. Students then study diseases and disorders that affect each system and the drug classes that treat them. Students become familiar with indications for use, most common side effects, dosage forms and brand and generic names for commonly prescribed medications. Prerequisite: None

This course presents an overview of how the brain and nervous systems function. Students learn medications used to treat disorders such as depression, psychoses, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and other diseases that affect the nervous system. Medications that affect the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are reviewed. While learning drug classifications, students learn indications for use, dosage forms, side effects and brand and generic names of commonly prescribed medications. The course also gives an overview of the eye and ear, including disorders and treatments. Prerequisite: None

This course explores the increasing popularity of over-the-counter medications and supplements. Students become familiar with indications for use, dosage recommendations, side effects, warnings and precautions of some of the most popular herbals and supplements. Vitamins and common active ingredients in over-the-counter products are taught, along with their indications for use. Prerequisites: None

This course covers techniques and procedures used to prepare sterile IV products. Students perform hands-on practice and become familiar with equipment used in preparation. Prerequisite: None

This course begins with an overview of IV techniques followed by specialized techniques used to prepare Total Parenteral Nutrition bags (TPN’s) and chemotherapy IV’s, focusing on TPN’s. Calculations involved in determining amounts of medications to be added and preparation and labeling of such are taught. The second half of the course is devoted to proper techniques for handling and preparing chemotherapy medications. Students utilize hands-on practice. Prerequisite: None

This course covers basic IV techniques, including preparation of syringes, irrigation solutions and ophthalmic solutions. Students utilize hands-on practice. Prerequisite: None

This course covers federal and state laws governing the practice of pharmacy. It covers ethical issues in the health care field and their relationship to pharmacy. Students will review real case studies and be drawn into ethical issues which will enhance critical thinking and broaden their perspectives. Key topics include workplace safety, ethics, Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Hazardous Drug List, United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) and other key topics recommended by PTCB and ASHP. Prerequisites: None

This course teaches students calculations required of Pharmacy Technicians. The course begins with a review of basic math. Students learn specific calculations used in various pharmacy areas. Prerequisite: None

This course will explain the role of pharmacy management software in the daily administration of pharmacy services, specifically in retail and hospital settings. Students will learn how to interpret orders for accurate prescription entry into the software, how to manage electronic databases, maintain inventory electronically and generate accurate medication administration records for long-term care patients. This course will also cover third party billing. Prerequisite: None

This course examines day-to-day duties performed in a retail pharmacy. Students learn to read prescriptions and to fill, package and label medications. Basic duties such as greeting clients, assisting customers with over-the-counter medications, handling refill requests and working the “out” window are discussed. Prerequisite: None

This course teaches ordering, receiving, stocking and rotation of pharmaceutical supplies and medications. Also covered are pricing, discounts, mark-ups and sale prices. The next portion of the course explores insurance, third-party payers and universal claim forms. Students will also gain an understanding of extemporaneous compounding. Prerequisite: None

This course will cover topics such as drug distribution systems, medication administration records and unit dose packaging and how each topic influences the administration of pharmacy services in a hospital setting. The interpretation of physician orders, dosage calculations and the use of automation in the hospital pharmacy setting will also be covered. Other special topics such as errors, safety, special dosing circumstances, reference sources, addiction, CPR and First Aid will also be discussed. Prerequisite: None