Pharmacy Technician SP24 (Voucher Included)

This program is eligible for PATH grant and WIOA funding. Contact Lexis Leiteritz at (815) 224-0490 or lexis_leiteritz@ivcc.edu for additional information. 

Additional course information: Pharmacy Technician (PTCB)

Overview

This online pharmacy technician certification course will prepare aspiring pharmacy technicians in how to assist the pharmacist in the packing and distribution of medication. Students will receive didactic and hands-on training to develop the skills necessary for employment in the field.

This pharmacy technician training program will prepare you for entry-level pharm tech positions by teaching you medical and pharmaceutical terminology, basic anatomy related to the pharmacology of medications, and pharmaceutical calculations. Through this course, you will obtain hands-on practice in retail pharmacy procedures through an online lab module. You will learn what information is necessary to process prescriptions and physician orders and apply that knowledge to fill mock prescriptions. The curriculum in this online pharmacy technician course also includes the ethics of pharmacy practice and education about prescription medications, patient care and interaction, and charges and reimbursement.

Upon completion of this course, you will be prepared to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). This course includes a voucher which covers the fee for the exam. As a part of the Pharmacy Technician Online Certification Training Course, you will also have the option to perform a hands-on, 100-hour Practicum Experience. Practicum Experiences are based on individual state board requirements.

You must ensure that the Pharmacy Technician Course meets your state's requirements. For more information, visit your state's Board of Pharmacy site or view a map directly from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) website. You can also call the state board and ask for the current technician regulations.

DISCLAIMER: This course does not meet state requirements for students intending to work in North Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.

Participation in a Practicum Experience is contingent upon successfully completing a background check and/or drug screening that is consistent with the requirements of both state and federal laws.

To qualify for the Practicum Experience application process, students must complete the online course successfully and have account balances up to date (at a minimum). Going through the Practicum Experience application process does not guarantee a placement. However, affiliated partnerships increase the likelihood of finding a site that matches student needs. COVID may be affecting the capacity of availability in your area. Students can begin researching the steps of the application process two weeks before completing courses.

What you will learn

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the pharmacy technician role, including essential professional skills and communication expectations necessary for success in a pharmacy setting
• Understand pharmacy regulations and standards from regulatory agencies and professional associations to ensure patient safety, high-quality care, and proper medication handling
• Gain practical knowledge of medication processing and handling procedures, including the ability to identify medication orders and read prescription forms accurately
• Learn about medication storage guidelines and quality assurance procedures in the pharmacy department
• Develop essential skills for success as a pharmacy technician, including accuracy, attention to detail, and effective communication

How you will benefit

• Acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to excel as a pharmacy technician and perform all related tasks and responsibilities with confidence
• Gain hands-on learning through an online lab module that provides practical experience in processing orders and identifying correct medication dosing and sourcing
• Access a comprehensive work experience guide and receive personalized support from our work experience team to prepare for your future as a certified pharmacy technician
• Prepare for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and earn the highly respected Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential upon successful completion
• Take advantage of a voucher for the certification exam and apply for a 100+ hour work Practicum Experience to gain valuable practical experience and further enhance your professional skills

Syllabus

1. Medical Terminology
   1. Introduction to Medical Terminology 
   2. The Musculoskeletal System 
   3. The Cardiovascular System 
   4. The Lymphatic and Immune Systems 
   5. The Respiratory System 
   6. The Digestive System 
   7. The Urinary System 
   8. The Nervous System 
   9. The Special Senses The Eyes and Ears 
   10. The Integumentary System 
   11. The Endocrine System 
   12. The Reproductive System 
   13. Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, Pharmacology 
2. Pharmacy Technician 
   1. Pharmacy Practice Then and Now 
   2. The Pharmacy Technician 
   3. Pharmacy Laws and Regulations 
   4. Pharmacy Ethics  
   5. Controlled Substances  
   6. Workplace Safety  
   7. Prescription and Medication Order Requirements   
   8. Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding  
   9. Pharmaceutical Calculations, Part 1 and Part 2  
   10. Pharmacology 
   11. Considerations in Special Populations  
   12. Pharmacology and the Nervous System  
   13. Pharmacology and the Cardiovascular System 
   14. Pharmacology and the Genitourinary System  
   15. Pharmacology and the Musculoskeletal System 
   16. Pharmacology and the Respiratory System 
   17. Pharmacology and the Gastrointestinal System 
   18. Pharmacology and the Endocrine System 
   19. Oncology 
   20. Infectious Disease 
   21. Wellness, Health Promotion, and Disease Prevention 
   22. Career Development 

Requirements

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook device.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 10 or later operating systems.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word Online
• Adobe Acrobat Reader 
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
• Other: Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment in Medical Terminology:

• Medical Terminology for Health Professions

The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment in Pharmacy Technician:

• Pharmaceutical Calculations for Pharmacy Technicians A Worktext
• Law and Ethics for Pharmacy Technicians
• Fundamental Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians
• Workbook for Fundamental Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians
• The Pharmacy Technician: A Comprehensive Approach
• Pharmacy Lab Kit with Manual (only available for residents of U.S./Canada; additional information available in the FAQs section)

Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

Additionally: Your Pharmacy Lab Kit with Manual will be sent separately from the rest of your materials and will be received within 3 months of enrollment, however, delivery times may be delayed further as a result of supply chain shortages.

Prerequisites:

To register for this course, you must be 18 years of age or older. You should be proficient in keyboarding (approximately 35 words per minute), have a basic understanding of a word-processing computer program (Microsoft Word is recommended), have a command of English grammar and punctuation, and have a basic understanding of high school math.

To participate in the competency activities and receive feedback from your instructor, you will need to have access to a video camera (on the phone or other device of familiarity) and be able to upload the video as an .mp4 file to the assignment pages for review. These activities are required in order to pass the course successfully.

Certification Requirements:

• Reside in the United States of America or its territories (US)
• Completion of a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program or equivalent Practicum Experience
• Full disclosure of all criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions
• Compliance with all applicable PTCB Certification policies
• Passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam® (PTCE®)

State Requirements:

You must ensure that the Pharmacy Technician Course meets your state's requirements. For more information, visit your state's Board of Pharmacy site or view a map directly from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) website. You can also call the state board and ask for the current technician regulations. This course does not meet state requirements for students intending to work in North Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.

Practicum Experience Requirements:

As a student in our Pharmacy Technician course, you'll have the opportunity to participate in our exclusive Practicum Experience, which provides a valuable advantage in today's competitive job market. Through our nationwide agreement with several pharmacies, you can gain hands-on experience and assist pharmacists with prescriptions, patient inquiries, and administrative tasks.

To qualify for the Practicum Experience, you will need to meet certain requirements, including passing a drug screening test, obtaining professional liability insurance, completing a background check and employment verification, meeting current immunization standards, and conforming with state mandates such as registration, fingerprinting, licensing, etc. Additional forms may be necessary for participation in the Practicum Experience with certain pharmacies. Please note that while we strive to find available openings, a Practicum Experience placement is not guaranteed for the Pharmacy Technician course and may take up to 12 weeks to secure. As a candidate, you should start applying for the PTBC Trainee License 2 weeks before you take the final exam in the course.