Pharmacy Technician

Course Description

The need for Pharmacy Technicians continues to grow with demand expected to increase substantially through 2024. 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. Approximately 400,000 technicians will be employed by the year 2024 to meet our nation’s growing healthcare demands.

This comprehensive course will prepare learners to enter the pharmacy field and take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s PTCB exam. Content includes pharmacy terminology, reading and interpreting prescriptions, defining generic and brand names drugs, and much, much more. EXAM FEE NOT INCLUDED.

Learning Objectives

• After completing this program, learners will be able to:
• Define the difference between retail and hospital pharmacy settings
• Demonstrate ethical conduct in all duties performed
• Explain the laws that govern pharmacy, whether federal or state mandated
• Interpret physician orders and prescriptions
• Prepare and explain the administration of medications
• Define medical and pharmaceutical terms and common abbreviations
• Explain the pharmacology of medications in relation to the anatomy affected
• Perform pharmaceutical calculations
• Communicate effectively with patients and medical professionals
• Recognize the importance of confidentiality of all patient information
• Process insurance billing and/or collect payments
• Control inventory
• Discuss important milestones and leaders in the history of pharmacy practice
• Identify the requirements, behaviors, characteristics, and career options for the pharmacy technician
• Describe how advances in technology and research impacts pharmacy practice
• Describe the commonly used drug reference resources including the major reason for use and the organization
• Describe the drugs in the current Top 200 Drug List including brand and generic name, drug classification, and uses

Certification Opportunities

After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.EXAM FEE NOT INCLUDED.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Pharmacy Technician Associate Certification (PTAC)

Exam fees NOT included in cost.

Optional Volunteer Externship Opportunity

Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience. As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.

Note: Additional documentation including health records, immunizations, drug-screening, criminal background checks, etc. may be required by the externship facility.

Additional Funding Options

This course is also available with funding from the WIOA grant

Pharmacy Technician- WIOA Approved Course

Materials Provided

All materials are included within the course.

Measure of Performance

After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field. Exam fee NOT included in cost.

Course Requirements

Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience.  As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please fill out the self-disclosure form. The Office of Disability Services coordinates services for students with disabilities. Documentation of a disability needs to be on file in that office before any accommodations can be provided.