Pharmacy Technician

Purpose

Provide students with advanced theory and laboratory experience required for employment in acute care and retail pharmacies. Prepare students to take the national PTCB certification exam. Provide employers with competent, entry-level pharmacy technicians. Provide students with exposure to the latest technology and devices being used.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

  • Understand and describe hospital and institutional practice and formulary guidelines.
  • Describe proper procedures for repackaging and dispensing medications. Describe the functions associated with drug information centers, specialty services such as intravenous admixture and total parenteral nutrition, satellite pharmacies, and clinical pharmacists working in an institution. Maintain a floor stock.
  • Describe and apply Standard (universal) Procedures, aseptic technique, sterilization, contamination, and the germ theory of disease. Identify parenterals, appropriate means of disposing hazardous agents, and procedures to follow in the event of exposure. Identify an automated dispensing device.
  • Describe the characteristics of intravenous solutions including solubility, osmolality, osmolarity, and pH. Describe equipment and supplies necessary for preparing intravenous parenterals. Identify the components of an intravenous administration set, syringe, needle, vial, and ampule. Perform conversions between Fahrenheit and Celsius and the reverse, calculate molecular weight, specific gravity, and intravenous administration rates.
  • Understand the extent and effect of medical errors on patient health and safety. Describe how and to what extent medication errors contribute to medical errors. Identify, define, and determine how to reduce types of medical errors. Describe root cause analysis of medication errors. Identify error reporting systems. 
  • Understand the importance of human relations, communications, ethics, attitude, and appearance. Describe policies and procedures. Understand the importance of not dispensing medical or pharmaceutical advice. 
  • Describe and abide by the confidentiality laws in healthcare. Understand and practice within the scope of duties of a pharmacy technician. Maintain professionalism at all times.
  • Create a resume that stands out in the job market and increases employability.  Demonstrate understanding of Virginia registration, national certification, the benefits of each, and recertification requirements.

Program Requirements

An academic advisor will review your preparation in Mathematics and English with you. You’ll be guided to appropriate preliminary coursework to give you the greatest chance of success in this program.

Employment Opportunities

Job opportunities for Pharmacy Technicians include retail pharmacies, acute care facilities , long term care facilities, and pharmaceutical companies.

Additional Information

All courses may be completed online with the exception of one hybrid course, HLT 105, the pharmacy lab simulation course, HLT 263, and the pharmacy clinical course, HLT 190.  Effective July 01, 2022, completion of the complete Pharmacy Technician Career Studies Certificate is required for eligibility for certification testing (PTCB or ExCPT). Mountain Empire Community College’s Pharmacy Technician program is fully accredited with ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists). The pass rate on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam (PTCB) by 2022 program graduates is 100.0%. MECC’s pharmacy technician program is fully approved by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy.

Students interested in pursuing the pharmacy technician program, please click below and submit the online Pharmacy Technician Program Application.  You will be contacted by the program director for further advising.

 

 

 

For Further Information, Contact: