Pharmacy Degrees Online

The Pharmacy Technician (PHARM) certificate program is endorsed by the Washington State Department of Health – Board of Pharmacy. This program will meet or exceed the goals and objectives of the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists and the approved Washington State Pharmacy Technicians Training competencies.

The specific goals and objectives of the Pharmacy Technician program are to instruct students about the role of a pharmacy technician so that they may perform that responsibility within the legal limits of the law governing healthcare settings. Students should be able to categorize the top 200 drugs into major therapeutic classifications, distinguish between generic and trade names of drugs, and generally identify accepted drug dosage forms, strengths, routes of administration and dosing intervals. Students will learn to accurately apply mathematical principles required in the preparation and distribution of drugs, and will be instructed on how to correctly interpret prescriptions or medication orders. Students will perform: appropriate inventory control of drug products; prepare medications for review by the pharmacist; comply with pharmacy law, regulations, and ethical standards of practice; operate equipment to document drug dispensing and inventory activities; to bring awareness to the correct preparation of common intravenous admixtures utilizing aseptic technique, required supplies, and compounding equipment.

Job opportunities include hospitals, community pharmacies, grocery store pharmacies, and other retail options. Graduates from this program may apply to the Washington State Department of Health – Board of Pharmacy to become a Washington State Certified Pharmacy Technician.

PHAR 048: INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY
Units: 2
Class Hours: 32 lecture
Prerequisite: None

Introduction to the SAC pharmacy technician program. Definition of the roles and preview of the opportunities open to pharmacy technicians in various practice settings. Presentation of pharmaceutical dosage forms, drug development processes, and drug classification systems. Introduction to prescription labeling and to the law and ethics of pharmacy practice. Advisory reading level: 4

PHAR 051: BODY SYSTEMS I
Units: 3 (Increasing to 3.5 beginning Fall 2008)
Class Hours: 56 lecture
Prerequisite: None

Anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology of the musculoskeletal, respiratory, genitourinary, and cardiovascular systems. Basic terminology, with emphasis on word analysis and construction, medical abbreviations, and lay terms. Advisory reading level: 4

Note: Students may take either Body Systems I or Body Systems II first. Body System I is offered during the Spring semester (and sometimes during the Summer.) Both Body Systems classes are required for the certificate and degree programs.

PHAR 052: BODY SYSTEMS II
Units: 3 (Increasing to 3.5 beginning Fall 2008)
Class Hours: 56 lecture
Prerequisite: None

Anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology of the integumentary, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Basic terminology, with emphasis on word analysis and construction, medical abbreviations, and lay terms. Advisory reading level: 4

Note: Students may take either Body Systems I or Body Systems II first. Body Systems II is offered during the Fall semester. Both Body Systems classes are required for the certificate and degree programs.

PHAR 054: PHARMACY CALCULATIONS
Units: 2
Class Hours: 32 lecture
Prerequisite: None

Calculations related to drug dosage, measurements of strength, and preparation of medications. Includes the interconversion of units in the metric and common systems of measurement. Emphasis on unit-cancellation for solving pharmacy situation problems. Strong verbal component. Advisory reading level: 4.

PHAR 056: PHARMACY OPERATIONS
Units: 4 (Increasing to 4.5 beginning Fall 2008)
Class Hours: 48 lecture, 80 lab
Prerequisites: Completion of PHAR 048, 054, and 051 or 052 with grades of C or better; typing proficiency

Technical aspects of drug distribution for outpatient pharmacy settings. Hands-on training in customer service, inventory control, compounding, prescription processing, and medication repackaging (manual and automated). Includes electronic and manual record-keeping, pharmacy law, and CQI. Advisory reading level: 4.

Note: PHAR 056 is offered as a M / W evening class during the Fall semester
and a M / W daytime class during the Spring semester.

PHAR 057: INPATIENT PHARMACY SERVICES
Units: 1.5
Class Hours: 18 lecture, 30 lab
Prerequisites: Completion of PHAR 048, 054, and 051 or 052 with grades of C or better; typing proficiency

Technical aspects of drug distribution for the inpatient (hospital) pharmacy setting. Hands-on training in medication order processing, pharmacy patient profile maintenance, medication preparation, and inpatient drug distribution using manual and automated systems. Includes electronic and manual record-keeping, pharmacy law, and CQI. Advisory reading level: 4.

Note: PHAR 057 is offered as a M / W / F daytime class for 4 weeks during January Intersession
and as a M / W evening class for 6 weeks during Summer session.

PHAR 060: STERILE PRODUCTS
Units: 4 (Increasing to 4.5 beginning Fall 2008)
Class Hours: 48 lecture, 80 lab
Prerequisites: Completion of PHAR 048, 054, and 051 or 052 with grades of C or better; typing proficiency

Applications of aseptic techniques and laminar flow theory in the preparation of sterile products. Emphasis on parenteral calculations, sterile dosage forms, and quality assurance procedures. Includes the pharmacology of antimicrobial and antineoplastic drugs. Advisory reading level: 4.

Note: PHAR 060 is offered as a M / W daytime class during the Fall semester
and as a M / W evening class during the Spring semester

PHAR 061: PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY SKILLS LAB
Units: 0.5
Class Hours: arranged
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in PHAR 056, 057, 060, 072, or 084

Supervised use of the Pharmacy Technology lab to assist the student in developing competency in the skills required to successfully complete the Pharmacy Operations, Inpatient Pharmacy Services, Sterile Products, Pharmacy Technology Externship, and/or Sterile Products Review courses. Lab hours verified by sign-in. May be repeated. Open entry/open exit. Class hours arranged. Grade: CR/NC only.
(Credit awarded for at least 16 hours of participation.)

PHAR 064: NEW DRUG UPDATE
Units: 1
Class Hours: 16 lecture
Prerequisite: None

Short course for allied health personnel designed to further knowledge of new pharmaceutical products. May be repeated. Not offered every semester.
This is not a required class.

PHAR 072: PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY EXTERNSHIP
Units: Variable (0.5-4 per semester)
Class hours: 40 hours per 0.5 units
Prerequisite: Completion of PHAR 056 and/or PHAR 057 and/or PHAR 060 with grades of C or better; current TB clearance; Speech Comm 097 or 101.

On-site training in three pharmacy practice settings. Students must complete the related lab course prior to placement in a specific rotation:
PHAR 056 prior to the 80 hour outpatient rotation
PHAR 057 prior to the 120 hour inpatient rotation
PHAR 060 prior to the 120 hour sterile products rotation

Students must pass the trade-generic test prior to placement. Some sites require additional screening. Completion of all three rotations (320 hours = 4 units) required for the advanced certificate.
Grade: CR/NCR only. Advisory reading level: 4.

Note: Most inpatient and sterile products externship sites require that students have daytime, weekday hours available.

PHAR 080: PHARMACY CALCULATIONS REVIEW
Units: 2
Class Hours: 32 lecture
Prerequisite: None

Calculations related to drug dosage, measurements of strength, and preparation of medications. Includes the inter-conversion of units in the metric and common systems of measurement. Emphasis on unit-cancellation for solving pharmacy situation problems. Strong verbal component. Advisory reading level: 4.
This is not a required class.

PHAR 084: STERILE PRODUCTS UPDATE
Units: 4

Class Hours: 48 lecture, 80 lab
Prerequisite: Completion of PHAR 060 with grade of C or better

Applications of aseptic techniques and laminar flow theory in the preparation of sterile products. Emphasis on parenteral calculations, sterile dosage forms, and quality assurance procedures. Includes the pharmacology of antimicrobial and antineoplastic drugs. Advisory reading level: 4. This is not a required class.

PHAR N98: TOPICS
Units: 0.5-8
Class hours: variable

Individual descriptions will be provided for each course developed. Not applicable to associate degree. Prerequisite: Varies according to topic.
This is not a required class.

The ASHP accredited Pharmacy Technician Certificate curriculum is a nine month sequence of instruction, with entry in the Fall Quarter only. This program is designed to prepare students for jobs in hospitals, nursing homes, retail, home health care, and public and government agencies. Students who complete the program in a satisfactory manner will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement and are qualified to apply to the California State Board of Pharmacy for registration as a pharmacy technician. Registration is a legal requirement for work as a pharmacy technician.

An optional two-year expanded Pharmacy Technician Program is also available which includes general education. This two-year course sequence leads to an Associate in Science Degree in Pharmacy Technician, and offers the student the ability to transfer to a four-year college or to enter the job market with additional technical and theoretical background.
Career Opportunities
Pharmacy technician opportunities are available in retail pharmacies, hospitals, home health care, mail order houses, nursing homes, health insurance, veterinary clinics, and public and government medical facilities.
Units required for Major: 52
Units required for Certificate: 52

Associate Degree Requirements:
OPTIONAL ASSOCIATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
• English proficiency: ENGL 1A, ESL 26 or equivalent.
• Mathematics proficiency: MATH 103/105 or equivalent.
A minimum of 90 units required to include:
• All General Education requirements
• Required pharmacy technician courses (52 Units)
• electives & other graduation requirements as appropriate.

NOTE: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. All Core courses must be taken in sequence and passed with a grade of “C” or higher. In addition, a GPA of 2.0 or higher is required in all Core and Support courses for the Degree or Certificates.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• Drug/alcohol felony convictions preclude registration.
• Biology studied in a language other than English will not be considered.
• Keyboarding skill level – 35 wpm recommended.
Program Type(s):
AS = Associate in Science Degree.
CA = Certificate of Achievement.

Students should complete an application to apply for admission into College of the Mainland and complete any necessary college requirements for admission. Students can complete this application in the admissions office located in the Administration Building, room A-140 (office hours: Monday and Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Wednesday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or apply on-line on COM’s web page at www.com.edu. Call ext 264 if you have any questions about the application.
On the college appraisal test (TASP Alternative), students must score a 12.0 reading level prior to enrolling in the pharmacy technician courses. Students must also be eligible for MATH 0310. Students with equivalent SAT or ACT scores or an Associate Degree or higher may be exempt from taking this course. Please call the testing center at ext. 379 to schedule the test.
Curriculum

The following is a list of courses that comprise College of the Mainland’s Pharmacy Technician program. The curriculum is designed for students attending full-time at College of the Mainland. The program is offered during the day and the evening. The day-time program will begin each fall semester and the evening program will begin each spring semester. The program consists of 25 credit hours upon completion.

College of the Mainland offers courses for students who want to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician. Pharmacy Technicians are skilled healthcare specialists that work under the direction of a licensed Pharmacist. Our two semester program will help prepare the student for the National Pharmacy Technician Certification exam as well as prepare them for employment in a pharmacy setting. To be temporarily registered as a Pharmacy Technician student in training, all individuals must pass a state mandated background check through the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.
Growing Field

Careers as a pharmacy technician are very diverse and challenging. Pharmacy Technicians provide customer service by assisting the pharmacist. This includes preparation of new and refilled prescriptions, pharmacy inventory, processing sales, and exceptional customer relation skills. Employers in the community pharmacy industry are looking for applicants with previous experience or who have attended an educational pharmacy technician program which includes internship experience in a retail pharmacy setting. Employers in the hospital pharmacy industry are looking for applicants with the same experience as above but in a hospital setting. They also prefer applicants to be I.V. Certified before they are hired. The U.S. Department of Labor has recently predicted that employment opportunities are growing faster than ever due to the increased pharmaceutical needs of a larger and older population who have greater needs and usage of medication.

Clark’s Pharmacy Technician program trainstechnicians who perform such duties as: typing prescription labels; assisting licensed pharmacists in dispensing medications; taking inventory and stocking supplies.

Pharmacy Technicians always, by law, are employed under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Chain, community pharmacies, and all hospitals employ Pharmacy Technicians.

Criminal and Background Checks
Students will have individual criminal and abuse background checks completed upon admission. Results of background checks will be released to external affiliating agencies prior to student placement. Students must notify CVTC of any changes in convictions and or/pending charges which occur after completion of the Criminal History Record Check and Background Information Disclosure Form and prior to program completion.

Note: Applicants who have been convicted of a drug related felony will not be admitted to the program. Any other convictions of any kind, including misdemeanors or felonies, may need special approval from a clinical site to be admitted to the program.

Drug Testing
Students may need to consent for drug testing and release of that information to external affiliating agencies for clinical experience. The drug test is a urine specimen which is tested for the presence of drugs, including but not limited to amphetamines, THC (marijuana), cocaine, methadone, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP). CVTC is uncertain of what other types of drugs may be screened in the future. Payment for the drug screening is the responsibility of the student. A positive drug test will exclude a student from clinical placement which may result in dismissal from the Pharmacy Technician Program.

• COMPASS pre-entry assessment
• Wisconsin criminal background check and processing fee
• Biology-two semesters at high school level or one semester at postsecondary level with grade of C or better
• Current CPR-Healthcare Provider or Professional Rescuer
• A pre-entrance health history and physical examination must be on file three weeks prior to entering the core courses of the Pharmacy Technician program. The Admissions Office will notify you at the appropriate time.

The Pharmacy Technician program trains individuals for the roles of supportive personnel for hospital and community pharmacies. The Pharmacy Technician provides assistance to the Pharmacist in a variety of technical tasks involving the packaging, distribution, compounding, labeling, and recording of drugs.

The Pharmacy Technician assists the Pharmacist in the following areas:

• package and label drugs for prescription dispensing.
• prepare and deliver unit dose drugs to the nursing services of hospitals or nursing homes.
• prepare parenteral admixtures under aseptic and sterile conditions.
• receive and inventory drug shipments.
• manual and computer maintenance of records, including patient profiles.
• provide office services as needed in the pharmacy.
• compound solutions, ointments, lotions, suppositories, and other medications.
• comprehend and utilize medical and drug terminology common to the pharmaceutical environments.
• recognize and apply the knowledge of ethics as well as legal implications of their actions as it relates to themselves, the pharmacist, and the pharmacy.

Enrollment in the PT program is subject to completion of the following requirements:
1. Admission to Chaffey College
2. High school graduation, pass the GED test, or pass the High School Proficiency examination. International transcripts must have AERC, IERF or approved agency evaluation.
3. Completion of PT 400, HS 405 and BUSOT 29 (or optout 35 WPM)with minimum grades of “C”, or satisfactory in-progress at the time of application. Pharmacy Technician courses must be taken within five years of the date of application to the PT program.
4. Eligibility for ENGL 450 or ESL 450 by assessment

Notes:
A. The college does not provide transportation to clinical facilities.
B. Students must demonstrate satisfactory physical and emotional health, as determined by health examination and proof of immunizations.
C. Students must possess a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate prior to entering any Pharmacy Technician course. Certificate may be the American Heart Association “Health Care Provided with AED or American Red Cross “Professional Rescuer with AED”.
D. To continue in the Pharmacy Technician program, students must earn satisfactory grades (minimum of “C” in graded courses; “CR” in pass/fail courses.) in all Pharmacy Technician and other required courses.
E. Students with prior pharmacy technician education should contact the Pharmacy Technician Program Coordinator.

The Pharmacy Technician program teaches students proper pharmacy operations under the supervision of registered pharmacists.

The curriculum combines classroom and experiential learning into a well-balanced program of study. Students will train in pharmacies while receiving exposure to the duties carried out by the pharmacist and pharmacy technician in preparing drugs, filling prescriptions, pricing, patient profile records, drug calculations, controlled substances, IV compounding and other pharmacy-related activities.

Midlands Technical College is accredited for pharmacy technician training by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.