Six-month pharmacy technician training program

Abstract

A six-month pharmacy technician training program at a community college is discussed. Establishment of the program, recruitment and screening of applicants, and the curriculum are described. Also discussed are the advantages of community college training, the program's pharmacist advisory committee, contracts with hospitals that provide practical experience, reaction of state pharmacy organizations to the program, and the employment record of graduates. It is suggested that short, effective pharmacy technician training programs should be established in community colleges to supply high quality supportive personnel to hospital pharmacies. A national testing and certification program for pharmacy technicians is recommended..

MAIN PROGRAM DETAILS

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE

Upon completion of this program, graduates will possess the skills and hands-on experience needed to become entry-level Pharmacy Technicians, dispensing and providing pharmacy support to pharmacists and clients in:

• Pharmacies and drug stores
• Hospitals; state, local, and private
• General merchandise stores
• Food and beverage stores + more

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES

Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of pharmacists, who must review prescriptions before they are given to patients. In most states, technicians can compound or mix some medications and call physicians for prescription refill authorizations. Technicians also may need to operate automated dispensing equipment when filling prescription orders.
Pharmacy technicians working in hospitals and other medical facilities prepare a greater variety of medications, such as intravenous medications. They may make rounds in the hospital, giving medications to patients.

• Take the information needed to fill a prescription from customers or health professionals
• Organize inventory and alert pharmacists to any shortages of medications or supplies
• Accept payment for prescriptions and process insurance claims
• Enter customer or patient information, including any prescriptions taken, into a computer system
• Answer phone calls from customers.
• Arrange for customers to speak with pharmacists if customers have questions about medications or health matters

Hence, a typical Pharmacy tech program will teach you the following:

*Pharmacy law
*Pharmacy ethics
*Healthcare systems
*medical terminology
*Pharmacology
*Anatomy and physiology
*Pharmaceutical Calculations