While accredited colleges offer a pharmacy technician program, these are also conducted online. Graduates of pharmacy technician programs are prepared for the PTCB certification exam. This certification is a national credential. A certified technician has better chances in the job market in all states.
Whatever type of course, a pharmacy tech program is supposed to prepare professionals for the job. What are the subjects an aspiring pharmacy tech must learn? This presents a curriculum that gives the widest possible coverage for professional training. This can also be a review outline for the pharmacy tech certification exam.
Pharmacy Technician Program Curriculum
These are the probable contents of a pharmacy technician degree course. A pharmacy tech program begins with a historical overview of the pharmacy industry. This unit covers the development of professional standards and organizations.
Next is an introduction to a community pharmacy. Case studies of commercial retail outlets are studied. Basic procedures in processing prescriptions and refills are also discussed.
There is a section dealing with the physical set-up of a pharmacy.
Maintaining the pharmacy's inventory is another unit. Lessons include ordering and monitoring stocks.
Ethics and standards are reviewed, focusing on privacy and confidentiality issues.
Students in a pharmacy technician program learn computer applications and data systems for the pharmacy industry.
The student is introduced to institutional pharmacy. This unit deals with the organization of pharmacies in hospitals, health care facilities and other institutions. Record keeping and management is studied as well.
There is a unit on fire safety, exposure control and handling specific work-related injuries.
Pharmacy law and ethics are reviewed. Special attention is paid to federal and state laws and agencies such as the FDA, CDC and DEA.
The ethical codes for pharmacists and technicians are examined. Thorough pharmacy technician programs explore medical and pharmaceutical terms' etymology.
There is a unit solely for developing skills in basic mathematics and pharmaceutical calculations.
The body's different systems and organs are studied closely. Various pharmacological agents such as antibiotics, antivirals and drugs for HIV and chemotherapy are tackled.
There are special sections for CNS drugs and narcotics, herbs and nutritional supplements.
This has been a detailing of classroom topics. A pharmacy technician program must always have a hands-on laboratory section. Here, students learn actual work scenarios and how to perform in them. The program must also have an internship with a hospital or commercial pharmacy so the student is exposed to real-world experience.
These are only some of the topics in a full course. Examining the range of subjects will give an idea of the scope of a complete pharmacy tech program. As jobs continue to increase, schools will offer more comprehensive pharmacy technician education.
Careers for Pharmacy Technicians
The American economy is experiencing a down-turn. The phenomenon appears to be a long-term trend. Many are searching for a possible new career with prospects for growth. The population has become older. There is a need for more health care professionals. Pharmacies are hiring pharmacy technicians as a cost-saving measure. The low cost of enrolling in a pharmacy technician program can assure your family's future.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the employment outlook for pharmacy technicians is promising. The field is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. That means opportunities are continuing for full-time and part-time profesionnals who have completed their pharmacy technician degree or have gotten their pharmacy tech certification.
Advantages of a pharmacy tech career.
Your financial situation will improve. You can earn up to $35,000 a year. You'll work with doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who perform a vital role in a community. However, no medical experience is needed for a pharmacy technician job.
This is a profession in high demand in a growth industry. Opportunities are available in medical offices, hospitals, health care services, labs, pharmaceutical and drug manufacturing companies and mail order pharmacies. It takes a small monetary investment and a few hours each day. There may even be a class in your location. Why not start looking seriously into a pharmacy technician program?
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