Pharmacy Technician - PHT 117

Course Description

The primary focus of this experiential rotation will be on the role of the pharmacy technician in the community (drug store) pharmacy environment. It will provide students with actual experience in this setting in which they may work as a pharmacy technician. The student will focus on those specific activities of a pharmacy technician that are used in a community pharmacy environment, including processing prescriptions, reconciling billing with insurance companies and interacting with patients. 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:

• Project a professional image in the community pharmacy practice setting.
• Exercise professional conduct in the community practice setting.
• Use active and engaged listening skills.
• Confirm prescriptions or medication orders for completeness, accuracy and authenticity.
• Complete prescriptions or medication orders accurately.
• Process required information for vaccines.
• Calculate the appropriate amount of medication to dispense using metric, household and English units of measure.
• Differentiate between brand names and generic names for medications.
• Use an electronic medical record or prescription processing program to complete a patient profile.
• Categorize demographic and clinical information for pharmacists.
• Demonstrate the role of the pharmacy technician in wellness promotion and disease prevention programs.
• Apply the adjudication process in the insurance billing process for pharmacy services and products.
• Apply required steps for prior authorization approval of non-formulary medications.
• Process payment for all pharmacy products and services.
• Prepare simple non-sterile medications per applicable standards (e.g., reconstitution, basic ointments and creams) when required.
• Employ accepted procedures in maintaining pharmacy facilities, equipment, devices and inventory control of medications.
• Utilize procedures and communication channels to use in the event of a product recall or shortage.
• Utilize processes for reporting a medication error or identification of another problem when required.
• Apply the investigational drug process, processes for medications being used in off-label indications and other emerging drug therapy processes.
• Manage hazardous medications and materials where required.
• Use basic safety and emergency preparedness procedures applicable to pharmacy services.
• Apply skills of a pharmacy technician in all activities that support the work of the pharmacist.
• Apply self-management skills, including time, stress and change management.

Course Schedule