Pharmacy Technician - PHT 114

Course Description

This course is structured as a combination of a simulation lab and relevant lecture that will focus on those specific activities of a pharmacy technician that are used in a community pharmacy (drug store) environment. The simulation lab will prepare the pharmacy technician student to effectively operate within a pharmacy in a community setting. Through case studies, students will learn how to receive and process prescriptions or medication orders for completeness, accuracy and authenticity to ensure safety. All students in the Pharmacy Technician programs must meet the requirements of a criminal background check and drug screen before completing the required practical experiences.

Prerequisites

(A requirement that must be completed before taking this course.)

Course Competencies

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Explain the importance of a professional image and professional conduct.
• Practice active and engaged listening skills.
• Assess prescriptions or medication orders for completeness, accuracy and authenticity.
• Process prescriptions or medication orders.
• Apply basic mathematical skills to the practice of pharmacy.
• Solve mathematical calculations to determine accurate medication dosages.
• Verify the accuracy of medication dosages based on patient age and weight.
• Interpret metric units of measure contained within a prescription.
• Interpret household units of measure contained within a prescription.
• Interpret English standard units of measure contained within a prescription.
• Interpret brand names and generic names for medications.
• Complete a patient profile in an electronic medical record and prescription processing program.
• Explain the pharmacy technician's role in assisting pharmacists in collecting, organizing and recording demographic and clinical information.
• Describe the role of the pharmacy technician in wellness promotion and disease prevention programs.
• Explain the adjudication process in the insurance billing process for pharmacy services and products.
• Explain the steps for prior authorization approval of non-formulary medications.
• Process payment for all pharmacy products and services.
• Calculate accurate change in monetary transactions.
• Describe the process to prepare simple, non-sterile medications per applicable standards (e.g., reconstitution, basic ointments and creams).
• Describe accepted procedures in maintaining pharmacy facilities, equipment, devices and inventory control of medications.
• Explain procedures and communication channels to use in the event of a product recall or shortage, a medication error or identification of another problem.
• Describe the investigational drug process, medications being used in off-label indications and emerging drug therapies.
• Explain processes for managing hazardous medications and materials.
• Explain basic safety and emergency preparedness procedures applicable to pharmacy services.
• Describe how to use self-management skills essential to success in the community pharmacy environment.

Course Schedule