Overview of Pharmacy Technician Courses
People looking to work as pharmacy technicians should enroll in a program, either online or on campus, that offers pharmacy technician courses. Keep in mind, however, that certification and education requirements are governed by the state, and therefore the courses one can expect to take vary from state to state.
Online Pharmacy Technician Courses
There are several online courses for aspiring pharmacy technicians, offered individually or as part of on-campus Associate of Applied Science programs. These courses can be enrolled simply as a way to prepare for certification exams or to earn higher credentials through the pursuit of continuing education. Courses offered by online institutions may offer their students internship opportunities. These internships are usually completed at local pharmacies or clinics.
It is important to be aware of the fact that the requirements needed to work in the field vary in terms of continuing education, training, certification, registration, and initial education. Therefore, it is recommended that anyone looking to work in the field contact their state’s board of pharmacy to find out what these requirements are. A list of all state boards can be found on the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy website.
If students are considering enrolling in online programs, they should be comfortable using a computer, particularly with word processors, Adobe Reader, and attaching documents via email. High-speed Internet access is also required to stream video conferences.
A List of Pharmacy Technician Courses
pharmacy practices
A pharmacy practicum course aims to teach and familiarize students with operating guidelines, safety practices, record keeping, inventory techniques, and equipment used in a pharmacy setting. Other topics may include customer service skills, quality control practices, over-the-counter medications, and health insurance.
Medical terminology
This course focuses on teaching students the terminology and vocabulary of modern medicine. Types of diseases, anatomy, and names of brand drugs are covered, as well as some of the most commonly used symbols and abbreviations in the field of health care.
basic pharmacology
Basic Pharmacology is one of the pharmacy technician courses that teaches students the way drugs interact with the body and bodily systems and how these drugs can fight disease and illness. Classroom instructors also teach students all about medication administration, drug interactions, and possible side effects. Topics covered include: composition, toxicity, dosage, classification, and therapeutic action.
Pharmacy Law
This course teaches students about the federal and state laws that govern the field of pharmacy. The focus is on what are the different responsibilities of pharmacy technicians and licensed pharmacists. Ethical restrictions, safety practices, drug storage and dispensing, and the Controlled Substances Act are also covered.
pharmacy math
The last of the pharmacy technician courses that you must take is pharmacy math. This course focuses on the metric units of measurement used in pharmacology. Students learn how to prepare concentrations and dilutions, how to expand and reduce formulas, and how to calculate proportions, percentages, ratios, and doses. Methods used to translate between the many different types of units of measurement are also studied.