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What does a pharmacy technician do?

Pharmacy technicians have many tasks. Some include: collecting information needed to fill a prescription from customers or health professionals, packaging and labeling prescriptions for customers, and organize inventory and alert pharmacists to any shortages of medications or supplies, just to name a few.

Where do pharmacy technician work?

Pharmacy technicians often work in retail stores, hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.

Why is certification important to becoming a pharmacy technician?

Becoming certified shows your that you have obtain the proper training and skillset needed to be a pharmacy technician.

What is the job outlook for a pharmacy technician?

According to the , the job outlook for a  pharmacy technician is expected to grow by 6% (faster than average) between 2022 and 2032, with 459,600 job opening annually.

This pharmacy technician course can be completed in one year or less. You will learn key topics, including  federal and state laws that govern pharmacies, as well as the ethics of pharmacy practice. Upon successful course completion, you will become eligible for a 100+ hour externship at a leading national pharmacy chain.

Module 1. Orientation to Pharmacy

• History
• Foundations and Roles
• Reference Materials
• Terminology Words and Abbreviations
• Terminology – Body Systems
• Community Pharmacy
• Hospital Pharmacy
• Advanced Pharmacy Environments

Module 2. Pharmacy Law and Ethics

• Introduction to Law
• Liability
• Ethics
• Federal Regulations
• Controlled Substances
• HIPAA
• Safety Laws
• State Laws
• State Boards of Pharmacy

Module 3. Pharmaceutical Calculations

• Number Systems
• Math Skills Review
• Dosage Calculations
• Percentage of Error
• Business Math
• Dilutions and Concentrations
• Oral Medications and Reconstitutions
• Parenteral Doses
• Intravenous Flow Rates
• Pediatric Doses

Module 4. Pharmacology I: Basics and Specific Populations

• Legislation and Regulation
• Sources and Forms
• Biopharmaceutics
• Pregnancy and Lactation
• Pediatric Patients
• Geriatric Patients
• Misused/Abused Drugs

Module 5. Pharmacology II: Body Systems – Neurological

• Antidepressants/Antipsychotics
• Antianxiety/Hypnotics
• Autonomic Nervous System
• Parkinson's/Alzheimer's
• Seizures
• Anesthetics

Module 6. Pharmacology III: Body Systems – Muscles, Heart, Lungs

• Musculoskeletal
• Cardiovascular
• Hypertensives/Cholesterol
• Diuretics
• Anticoagulants
• Respiratory/Allergies
• Gastrointestinal

Module 7. Pharmacology IV: Multi-body Systems

• Hormones – Endocrine
• Hormones – Reproductive
• Vitamins, Minerals, and Nutritionals
• Antineoplastic
• Analgesics
• Anti-Infective/Antibacterial
• Antivirals/Antifungals

Module 8. Communication Skills and Billing         

• Computers
• Communications
• Financial Management
• Insurance
• Billing and Collections
• Inventory Control

Module 9. Lab Practice I

• Retail

Module 10. Lab Practice II

• Hospital

Download Course Outline (PDF)

We have worked with our partners at ed2go on a nationwide agreement with several pharmacies that will give our Pharmacy Technician course students an important leg up in the job market. These pharmacies will offer their renowned externship programs to you, provided you meet basic qualifications.Externs will get hands-on experience that includes assisting pharmacists with prescriptions, answering patient questions about medications, and a bevy of administrative duties.In order to qualify for an externship, you'll have to pass a drug screening test, obtain professional liability insurance, complete a background check and employment verification, meet current immunization standards, conform with and complete any state mandates such as registration, fingerprinting, licensing etc. Additional forms may be necessary for externships with certain pharmacies. It may take up to 12 weeks to find an available opening.

*Disclaimer: An externship with these pharmacies is not guaranteed. All students must apply to the program and complete the prerequisite criteria before being accepted. Positions in the externship program are contingent on availability at each pharmacy location. Students may also set up their own externship at any other retail or hospital facility. The externship is an additional 100 hours.To participate in the CVS or Walgreens externships, students must not have a criminal record. Background checks will be conducted prior to the student's admittance into the externship program.

PLEASE NOTE: Walgreens is not currently able to place externship students in Arizona and Florida because they're piloting a POWER project in those states. An alternate externship may be available in these states.

• You must be 18 years of age or older.
• You must have a high school diploma or GED to be eligible to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. Requirements for pharmacy technicians vary by state, but most require certification, registration, or licensure.
• You should be proficient in typing (approximately 35 words per minute), have a basic understanding of a word-processing computer program (Microsoft Word is recommended), have a command of English grammar and punctuation, and have a basic understanding of high school math.
• To participate in the competency activities and receive feedback from your instructor, you will need to have access to a video camera (on the phone or other device of familiarity) and be able to upload the video as an .mp4 file to the assignment pages for review. These activities are required in order to pass the course successfully.

 

This course will fully prepared to sit for the National Certification exam titled Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Earning your certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) provides a valuable, industry-recognized credential that meets most states’ requirements.

You'll learn everything you need to know to pass the National Certification Exam offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). However, you'll need to make sure that the Pharmacy Technician Program will meet your state's requirements. To check, visit your state's Board of Pharmacy site for more information. You can access this information directly from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) website at . Click on the "Who We Serve" link, then the "States" link for information. You can also call the state board and ask for the current technician regulations.

Students are supported by both an assigned instructor and assigned advisor throughout the duration of the course. Students receive contact information for both upon enrollment and all communication is handled via email. Students should allow up to two business days for responses.