Pharmacy Technician Professional

Hours: 630 / Access Length: 12 Months / Delivery: Open, Mentor Supported
Retail Price: $3,425.00

Course Overview:

Opportunities are growing in the dynamic field of the pharmacy technician! Whether you are entering the field for the first time or looking to develop your skills and knowledge further, this course will help you gain the skills you need to achieve a successful career as a pharmacy technician in both hospital and retail pharmacy settings. This comprehensive course includes topics such as fundamentals of the basic sciences, conditions of the human body and their treatments, steps to process a prescription, medication safety and management, and much more.

At the completion of this course you should be able to:

• Comprehend the profession of pharmacy and the role of the pharmacy technician
• Identify the steps to perform pharmacy calculations
• Identify pharmacy prescription abbreviations, information, and the fill process
• Comprehend drug management, safety, and laws of regulation
• Identify conditions of the human body and their treatments

Basic and practical, this essential course provides an extensive framework of drug information in a concise format for allied health learners. Discover key drug information by classifications, such as their purpose, side effects, cautions, and interactions, or utilize the resource to refresh your knowledge of drugs. Use the accompanying CD-ROM and master pharmacology through quizzes, games, and case studies.

This course introduces the reader to the fascinating subject of drugs, their sources and uses and organizes the drugs according to the body systems. Each classification is described, along with characteristics of typical drugs, side effects, cautions, interactions, and patient education for each category.

This pharmacology course is designed to meet the needs of students in nursing, medical assistant, and pharmacy technician programs and be adaptable to the requirements of students in all allied health programs.

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Comprehend the core elements of drug effects on the body and drug safety
• Identify methods of administration and how to avoid poisoning
• Identify drug classifications based on the systems of the body they affect
• Comprehend the ways drugs are processed by the body
• Identify drug abbreviations and systems of measurement

Pharmacy Calculations provides a clear consistent format with a step-by-step approach to the calculation and administration of drug dosages. It covers the ratio and proportion, formula, and dimensional analysis methods. This course focuses on enhancing the learning experience of students at all levels by making content clinically applicable. Concepts relating to critical thinking, logical thinking, and process are presented throughout. Practice problems have been added throughout this course to give the students a better understanding of principles related to drug dosages.

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Comprehend ratios, proportions, percentages, fractions, and decimals
• Identify the metric system and apothecary system as units of measurement
• Identify the steps to interpret a physician's orders and read a drug label
• Comprehend guidelines for medication administration safety
• Identify the steps to calculate for various dosages and for differing ages

Course Outline:

Pharmacy Technician Module 1
History, Laws, & Ethics

• History of Medicine and Pharmacy
• Pharmacy Laws and Regulations
• Food and Drug Administration/Drug Enforcement Administration
• Controlled Substances
• Prescription Regulation
• Pharmacy Ethics and Communication
• Pharmacy Competencies
• Pharmacy Settings
• History of Pharmacy
• Conversions and Calculations
• Metric System
• Apothecary System
• Avoirdupois System

Pharmacy Technician Module 2
Dosage Forms, Prescriptions, & OTC Drugs

• Routes of Administration
• Drug Classifications
• Drug Abbreviations
• Medical Terminology
• Drug Information Referencing
• Steps in Processing a Prescription
• Processing Refills
• Filing Prescriptions
• OTC Drug Categories and Conditions They Treat
• How a Prescription Drug Becomes OTC
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Eastern Versus Western Medicine
• Hospital Pharmacy

Pharmacy Technician Module 3
Medication Management

• Repackaging and Compounding
• Safety and Documentation
• Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding
• Compounding Calculations
• Ophthalmic Agents
• Regulatory and Quality Control
• Aseptic Technique
• Ordering and Billing Systems
• Medication Safety and Error Prevention
• How, Where, and Why Errors Occur
• Reporting Errors
• Drug Labeling

Pharmacy Technician Module 4
Body Systems Part 1

• Anatomy and Functions of the Endocrine System
• Description of Hormones
• Conditions and Treatment of the Endocrine System
• Central Nervous System
• Peripheral Nervous System
• Neurotransmitters
• Psychopharmacology
• Emotional Health
• Psychiatric Disorders
• Function and Conditions of the Respiratory System
• Opthalmic (Visual) System and Its Conditions
• Auditory System 

Pharmacy Technician Module 5
Body Systems Part 2

• Integumentary System (Skin, Hair, and Glands)
• Conditions and Treatment of the Integumentary System
• Form and Function of the Gastrointestinal System
• Conditions Affecting the Gastrointestinal System
• The Urinary System
• Anatomy of the Heart
• Heart Conditions and Medications
• Male Reproductive System
• Female Reproductive System
• Conditions Affecting the Reproductive Systems
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
   

Pharmacy Technician Module 6
Drug Classifications and the Basic Sciences

• Antiinfectives
• Types of Infections and Their Treatments
• Antiinflammatories
• Pain and Inflammation Conditions and Medications
• Antihistamines
• Allergic Conditions and Their Treatments
• Vitamins and Minerals
• Vaccines and the Lymphatic System
• Causes and Types of Cancer
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer
• Basic Microbiology
• Basic Chemistry

Pharmacology Module 1
Drugs and Regulations

• Consumer Safety and Drug Regulations
• Drug Laws
• FDA and DEA
• Health Care Workers and the Law
• Drug Names
• Legal Terms Referring to Drugs
• Drug References
• Sources of Drugs
• Effects of Drugs
• Drug Processing by the Body
• Absorption and Distribution
• Metabolism and Excretion
• Medication Preparations
• Standard Drug Forms
• Abbreviations and Systems of Measurement
• Basic Arithmetic Test
• Calculation Guidelines
• Ratio and Proportion
• Pediatric Dosage
• Geriatric Dosage
• Prevention of Medication Errors

Pharmacology Module 2
Drug Administration

• Responsible Drug Administration
• Medication Errors
• Principles of Administration
• Administration of Medications Orally
• Administration of Medications by Nasogastric Tube
• Administration of Medications by Gastric Tube
• Administration of Medications Rectally
• Sublingual and Buccal Administration
• Transcutaneous Drug Delivery System
• Inhalation Therapy
• Injections
• Skin Medications
• Application to the Mucous Membranes
• Eye Medications
• Poison Control
• Poisoning by Ingestion
• Poisoning by Inhalation
• External Poisoning of Skin or Eyes
• Poisoning by Sting and Snakebite

Pharmacology Module 3
Drug Classifications - Part 1

• Fat-Soluble Vitamins
• Water-Soluble Vitamins
• Minerals
• Antioxidants
• Alternative Medicines
• Skin Medications
• Cautions for Topical Medications
• Autonomic Nervous System Drugs
• Adrenergics and Adrenergic Blockers
• Cholinergics and Cholinergic Blockers
• Antineoplastic Drugs
• Cautions and Responsibilities for Antineoplastic Drugs
• Urinary System Drugs
• Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)

Pharmacology Module 4
Drug Classifications - Part 2

• Gastrointestinal Drugs
• Agents for Treatment of Ulcers and Reflux Disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Anti-infective Drugs
• Vaccines
• Antifungals
• Antituberculosis Agents
• HIV Information and Resources
• Eye Medications
• Antiglaucoma Agents
• Analgesics and Local Anesthetic
• Sedatives and Hypnotics
• Psychotropic Medications
• CNS Stimulants
• Antidepressants
• Antipsychotic Medications
• Drug and Alcohol Abuse 

Pharmacology Module 5
Drug Classifications - Part 3

• Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
• Anti-inflammatory Drugs
•  Osteoporosis Therapy
• Anticonvulsants
• Antiparkinsonian Drugs
• Agents for Alzheimer's Disease
• Endocrine System Drugs
• Pituitary Hormones
• Thyroid and Antithyroid Agents
• Antidiabetic Agents
• Reproductive System Drugs
• Estrogens and Progestins
• Choice of Contraceptives
• Infertility Drugs
• Drugs for Labor and Delivery

Pharmacology Module 6
Drug Classifications - Part 4

• Cardiovascular Drugs
• Cardiac Glycosides
• Antiarrhythmic Agents
• Antihypertensives
• Vasoconstrictors
• Platelet Inhibitor Therapy
• Respiratory System Drugs
• Mucolytics and Expectorants
• Antihistamines and Decongestants
• Smoking Cessation Aids
• Drugs and Older Adults
• Cumulative Effects of Drugs
• Inappropriate Medications Use in Older Adults
• Drugs that May Cause Mental Impairment
• Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
• Polypharmacy

Pharmacy Calculations Module 1
Math Review

• Fractions
• Decimals
• Ratio
• Proportion
• Percentages

Pharmacy Calculations Module 2
Units of Measurement

• Metric System
• Apothecary and Household Systems
• Converting Within and Between Systems

Pharmacy Calculations Module 3
Preparation for Calculation of Drug Dosages

• Safety in Medication Administration
• Interpretation of the Physician’s Orders
• How to Read a Drug Label
• Dimensional Analysis and the Calculation of Drug Dosages

Pharmacy Calculations Module 4
Calculation of Drug Dosages

• Calculation of Oral Medications
• Parenteral Dosages
• Reconstitution and Dosages Measured in Units

Pharmacy Calculations Module 5
Calculation of Drug Dosages

• Intravenous Flow Rates
• Critical Care Intravenous Flow Rates
• Pediatric Dosages
• Obstetric Dosages

Pharmacy Calculations Module 6
Drug Administration Considerations

• Automated Medication Dispensing Systems
• Administration of Medications to the Elderly
• Home Care Considerations

All necessary materials are included.

Certifications:

Upon successful completion of our Pharmacy Technician course, students will be prepared for an entry-level position in a pharmacy and to sit for the NHA national certification Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

System Requirements:

• Cable and DSL internet connections are recommended for the best experience.

• CPU: 1 GHz or higher
• RAM: 2 GB or higher
• Resolution: 1280 x 720 or higher
• Speakers / Headphones
• Microphone (Webinar / Live Online sessions)

• Microsoft Windows 7 or 10 (Home, Pro)
• Mac OSX 10 or higher.
• Latest Chrome OS
• Latest Linux Distributions

NOTE: While we understand that our courses can be viewed on Android and iPhone devices, we do not recommend the use of these devices for our courses. The size of these devices do not provide a good learning environment for students taking online or live online based courses.

• Latest Google Chrome is recommended for the best experience.
• Latest Mozilla FireFox
• Latest Microsoft Edge
• Latest Apple Safari

• Office suite software (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice)
• PDF reader program (Adobe Reader, FoxIt)
• Courses may require other software that is denoted in the above course outline.