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Pharmacy Technician Course Details

Penn Foster Career School’s online Pharmacy Technician courses are designed to help you prepare for the PTCE and ExCPT certification exams. Learn from expert faculty, and gain valuable, hands-on experience with an externship at your local CVS/pharmacy and Walgreens Pharmacy.

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Program Goals and Outcomes

Program Goals

To prepare students to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or NHA ExCPT exam, and gain entry-level employment as a pharmacy technician.

Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to...
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skills in areas of science relevant to the pharmacy technician’s role, including anatomy/physiology and pharmacology
  • Compare and contrast the roles of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in ensuring pharmacy department compliance with professional standards and relevant legal, regulatory, formulary, contractual, and safety requirements
  • Prepare medications requiring compounding of sterile products and chemotherapy/hazardous products. Prepare medications requiring compounding of nonsterile products
  • Apply patient- and medication-safety practices in all aspects of the pharmacy technician’s roles
  • Apply quality assurance practices to pharmaceuticals, durable and nondurable medical equipment, devices, and supplies
  • Process and handle medications and medication orders
  • Apply accepted procedures in purchasing pharmaceuticals, devices, and supplies
  • Initiate, verify, and assist in the adjudication of billing for pharmacy services and goods, and collect payment for these services
  • Describe the use of current technology in the healthcare environment to ensure the safety and accuracy of medication dispensing

Pharmacy Technician Orientation
This course intended as an introduction to Penn Foster’s Pharmacy technician program. It is designed to introduce the student to the curriculum, the externship, and the student portal. Students will be introduced to the practice of pharmacy, including the history of pharmacy, technician roles in various practice settings, pharmacy ethics and professionalism, as well as advancing and emerging opportunities for technicians now and in the future.

Objectives:

  • Investigate the Penn Foster Student Portal
  • Examine the role and responsibilities of the pharmacy technician profession over time

Introduction to Pharmacy Technician
This course introduces the pharmacy technician student to the basics of pharmacy practice in various pharmacy settings. Topics include professional characteristics of pharmacy technicians, tasks performed by pharmacy technicians, an overview of pharmacy law, and the proper use of drug information resources. Students will learn the technical procedures for preparing and dispensing drugs in the hospital and retail settings under supervision of a registered pharmacist. Topics include drug packaging and labeling, out-patient dispensing, hospital dispensing procedures, nonsterile compounding, aseptic technique, sterile compounding, and medication errors.

Objectives:

  • Recognize the high-level skills employed by an effective pharmacy technician
  • Relate pharmacy rules and regulations to daily pharmacy practices
  • Summarize pharmacy technicians’ roles and workplaces

Pharmacology, Drug Class, and Body Systems, Part 1
In this course, students will become familiar with various body systems including structure, function, diseases, disorders, and treatments. Students will also learn drug delivery systems, drug administration routes, medical terminology, drug classifications, and commonly used medications for various organ system disorders.

Objectives:

  • Recognize the basic principles of pharmacology
  • Identify the anatomy, physiology, diseases, and treatments of the cardiovascular and hematologic systems
  • Identify the anatomy, physiology, diseases, and treatments of the respiratory and endocrine systems
  • Identify the anatomy, physiology, diseases and treatments of the   gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive systems

Pharmacology, Drug Class, and Body Systems, Part 2
This course is a continuation of Pharmacology, Drug Class, and Body Systems 1. This course will familiarize students with various body systems including structure, function, diseases, disorders, and treatments. Students will also learn about microorganisms and their impact on the human body, as well as the pharmacological place for vitamins, minerals, and herbs.

Objectives:

  • Identify the anatomy, physiology, and diseases and treatments of the integumentary and musculoskeletal systems
  • Identify the anatomy, physiology, and diseases and treatments of the sensory and nervous systems
  • Identify the anatomy, physiology, and diseases and treatments of the immune system
  • Recognize the impact and importance of antibiotics, minerals, vitamins, and herbs on the human body

Pharmacy Law and Regulations
In this course, students will learn how law affects healthcare practitioners and pharmacy technicians, the origin of law that affects medical professionals, the basics of the process of litigation and its alternatives, the common-law basis for the confidentiality of healthcare information, and the laws regulating healthcare information collected and maintained by government agencies.

Objectives:

  • Interpret civil and criminal laws related to pharmacy practice
  • Assess ethical issues healthcare professionals face today
  • Apply confidentiality laws and regulations

Math Calculations for Pharmacy Technicians
This course introduces the pharmacy technician student to basic math, algebra, and pharmaceutical calculations utilized in pharmacy practice.

Objectives:

  • Review and demonstrate basic math aptitude needed for pharmacy technician practice
  • Review and practice how to perform calculations related to prescription orders
  • Review and practice special medical calculations and business math used in the pharmacy

Textbook: Math Calculations for Pharmacy Technicians, Elsevier

Pharmacy Sterile and Nonsterile Compounding
This course introduces students to sterile and nonsterile compounding. A strong emphasis is placed on proper aseptic technique and compliance with USP 795, 797, and 800. Compounding practices and equipment are also discussed.

Objectives:

  • Explain the processes and considerations related to the preparation of IV solutions
  • Explore IV Calculations, Equipment, Facilities, and Preparation Techniques
  • Explore IV Nutrition, Patient Consideration, QA, and Non-Sterile Compounding

Textbooks:

  • Sterile Processing for Pharmacy Technicians, Elsevier
  • Mosby's Pharmacy Technician Principles and Practice, Elsevier

Pharmacy Management and Operations
This course introduces the pharmacy technician student to pharmacy operations. Students will discuss the differences between pharmacy settings, examine the business applications of pharmacy, and review drug information resources, including how and when to use them. Students will also learn how to handle medication safely, and the steps involved in error prevention.

Objectives:

  • Examine drug information references and their proper use
  • Differentiate the responsibilities of pharmacy technicians in various pharmacy settings
  • Describe the importance of reporting medication errors, and the preventative measures taken to reduce them

Textbook: Mosby's Pharmacy Technician Principles and Practice, Elsevier

Pharmacy Billing and Reimbursement
The course introduces the student to the pharmacy reimbursement process. It discusses third party healthcare plans, reimbursement systems and claims processing.

Objectives:

  • Explain reimbursement methodologies related to pharmacy practice settings
  • Explain the elements of pharmacy billing and proper inventory management

Textbook: Mosby's Pharmacy Technician Principles and Practice, Elsevier

Pharmacy Software Management
This course is designed to facilitate the student's mastery of computer skills needed to perform various pharmacy technician–related responsibilities in community and institutional pharmacy practices.

Objectives:

  • Use database software for performing prescription processing and related community pharmacy tasks
  • Use database software for the processing of medical orders and related institutional pharmacy tasks
  • Prepare pharmacy reports and show comprehension of software laboratory exercises

Textbook: Pharmacy Management Software, 2e, Elsevier

Pharmacy Technician Certification Review
This course is designed to strengthen working knowledge of the concepts essential for pharmacy technician practice and serve as a review to prepare students for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.

Objective:

  • Demonstrate preparedness for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)

Textbook: The Pharmacy Technician Workbook & Certification Review, Morton

Pharmacy Technician Externship
The pharmacy technician externship provides students hands-on training in community and institutional pharmacy practice. The goal of the required externship is to produce competent pharmacy technicians by developing the essential skill sets through hands-on experience. Students will practice under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist. This externship consists of 120 hours of clinical experience in a community pharmacy to be completed in 8 to 12 weeks.

Objective:

  • Demonstrate program skills as defined on the Pharmacy Technician Evaluation form

Additional Details

Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in this field are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered in the Penn Foster Program. Prospective students should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where they plan to work to determine their requirements before enrolling in this Program. Click here for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information. This is particularly important for residents of Florida, Louisiana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington.
Penn Foster Career School is not approved or regulated as a school by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
State boards may impose a variety of different requirements. These requirements vary from state to state. Before enrolling in the Penn Foster Career School Pharmacy Technician program, you should contact the State Board of Pharmacy to obtain the requirements applicable to pharmacy technicians in your state. This is particularly important for residents of Florida, Louisiana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington.
Contact information for State Board of Pharmacy.
Acceptance into the externship component of this program requires a background check. Externship applicants having felony convictions in their criminal history, regardless of the date of conviction, are not eligible to participate in an externship. Externship applicants with misdemeanor convictions relating to drug and alcohol use, illegal use of controlled substances, theft of property, violation of pharmacy practice law, shoplifting, assault, disorderly conduct or weapons are not eligible to participate in an externship. Misdemeanors will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Students are required to have a cumulative grade average of 70% or better in order to be accepted into the required externship for this program.

Penn Foster Career School Accreditation & Licensing Details

Penn Foster has been accredited for over 50 years. Penn Foster Career School has been thoroughly reviewed and has earned several important accreditations, certifications, and licensing. Most importantly, Penn Foster Career School is both regionally and nationally accredited.

Accreditation
DEAC
MSA
Short Lessons

Easy-to-Access Lessons

Each lesson is broken into short chapters that allow you to fit learning into whatever time you have available. Don’t have time to finish a lesson? Not a problem - pick up where you left off next time!
Digital Flashcards

Digital Flashcards

A fun and interactive way to test your knowledge before your exams. Find out what information you've mastered, and what material needs additional review.
Discussion Boards

Discussion Boards

With Penn Foster Career School, you are never alone! Our learning platform includes discussion boards so you can connect with instructors and other Penn Foster Pharmacy Technician students as you work through your program.
Penn Foster Sample Lesson

Sample Pharmacy Technician Lesson

Penn Foster courses are written in a way that is easy to understand, and materials are broken down into manageable lessons. Take a look at what a pharmacy technician course would look like.

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Computer Specifications
As you know this is an online academic program. This means you will need high-speed internet access to begin your program. In addition, you will need access to a Microsoft® Windows® based computer running Windows 7® or later and an email account to participate in and complete your program.
We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.
Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.
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