What is a Pharmacy Technician, and what will I learn?
This program will prepare students to enter the pharmacy field and to pursue certification including the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s PTCB exam. 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 200 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
A pharmacy technician plays a vital role in the healthcare system, assisting pharmacists in preparing and dispensing medications, managing inventory, and providing customer service to patients. Their responsibilities often include:
- Medication Preparation: Measuring, mixing, and packaging medications as directed by a pharmacist.
- Customer Service: Assisting patients with questions about their prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and general health inquiries.
- Inventory Management: Maintaining stock levels of medications and supplies, including ordering and receiving products.
- Record Keeping: Maintaining accurate records of prescriptions and patient profiles to ensure compliance with regulations.
- Compounding: Sometimes, pharmacy technicians may be involved in compounding medications tailored to specific patient needs.
Pharmacy technicians can find employment in various settings, including:
- Retail Pharmacies: Chain and independent pharmacies provide many job opportunities.
- Hospitals: Working in hospital pharmacies, assisting with inpatient medication management.
- Long-term Care Facilities: Supporting medication management for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
- Pharmaceutical Companies: Some technicians may work in quality control or manufacturing environments.