PSHEALPHA3011 - Pharmacy Technician (Voucher Included)

What you will learn

Develop a comprehensive understanding of the pharmacy technician role, including essential professional skills and communication expectations necessary for success in a pharmacy setting
Understand pharmacy regulations and standards from regulatory agencies and professional associations to ensure patient safety, high-quality care, and proper medication handling
Gain practical knowledge of medication processing and handling procedures, including the ability to identify medication orders and read prescription forms accurately
Learn about medication storage guidelines and quality assurance procedures in the pharmacy department
Develop essential skills for success as a pharmacy technician, including accuracy, attention to detail, and effective communication

How you will benefit

Acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to excel as a pharmacy technician and perform all related tasks and responsibilities with confidence
Gain hands-on learning through an online lab module that provides practical experience in processing orders and identifying correct medication dosing and sourcing
Access a comprehensive work experience guide and receive personalized support from our work experience team to prepare for your future as a certified pharmacy technician
Prepare for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)'s Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and earn the highly respected Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential upon successful completion
Take advantage of a voucher for the certification exam and apply for a 100+ hour work Practicum Experience to gain valuable practical experience and further enhance your professional skills

How the course is taught

Self-paced, online course
12 Months to complete
Open enrollment, begin anytime
400 course hours
 

I.    Medical Terminology

A.    Introduction to Medical Terminology
B.    The Musculoskeletal System
C.    The Cardiovascular System
D.    The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
E.    The Respiratory System
F.    The Digestive System
G.    The Urinary System
H.    The Nervous System
I.    The Special Senses The Eyes and Ears
J.    The Integumentary System
K.    The Endocrine System
L.    The Reproductive System
M.    Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, Pharmacology

II.    Pharmacy Technician

A.    Pharmacy Practice Then and Now
B.    The Pharmacy Technician
C.    Pharmacy Laws and Regulations
D.    Pharmacy Ethics
E.    Controlled Substances
F.    Workplace Safety
G.    Prescription and Medication Order Requirements
H.    Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding
I.    Pharmaceutical Calculations, Part 1 and Part 2
J.    Pharmacology
K.    Considerations in Special Populations
L.    Pharmacology and the Nervous System
M.    Pharmacology and the Cardiovascular System
N.    Pharmacology and the Genitourinary System
O.    Pharmacology and the Musculoskeletal System
P.    Pharmacology and the Respiratory System
Q.    Pharmacology and the Gastrointestinal System
R.    Pharmacology and the Endocrine System
S.    Oncology
T.    Infectious Disease
U.    Wellness, Health Promotion, and Disease Prevention
V.    Career Development
 

Prerequisites:

To register for this course, you must be 18 years of age or older. You should be proficient in keyboarding (approximately 35 words per minute), have a basic understanding of a word-processing computer program (Microsoft Word is recommended), have a command of English grammar and punctuation, and have a basic understanding of high school math.

To participate in the competency activities and receive feedback from your instructor, you will need to have access to a video camera (on the phone or other device of familiarity) and be able to upload the video as an .mp4 file to the assignment pages for review. These activities are required in order to pass the course successfully.

Certification Requirements:

Reside in the United States of America or its territories (US)
Completion of a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program or equivalent Practicum Experience
Full disclosure of all criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions
Compliance with all applicable PTCB Certification policies
Passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam® (PTCE®)
State Requirements:

You must ensure that the Pharmacy Technician Course meets your state's requirements. For more information, visit your state's Board of Pharmacy site or view a map directly from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) website. You can also call the state board and ask for the current technician regulations. This course does not meet state requirements for students intending to work in North Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. Please note that PTCB credentials are designed for use exclusively in the US. Therefore, PTCB exams are generally only administered in the US. Active members of the US military and their spouses are an exception and are eligible to test anywhere in the world.

Practicum Experience Requirements:

As a student in our Pharmacy Technician course, you'll have the opportunity to participate in our exclusive Practicum Experience, which provides a valuable advantage in today's competitive job market. Through our nationwide agreement with several pharmacies, you can gain hands-on experience and assist pharmacists with prescriptions, patient inquiries, and administrative tasks.

To qualify for the Practicum Experience, you will need to meet certain requirements, including passing a drug screening test, obtaining professional liability insurance, completing a background check and employment verification, meeting current immunization standards, and conforming with state mandates such as registration, fingerprinting, licensing, etc. Additional forms may be necessary for participation in the Practicum Experience with certain pharmacies. Please note that while we strive to find available openings, a Practicum Experience placement is not guaranteed for the Pharmacy Technician course and may take up to 12 weeks to secure. As a candidate, you should start applying for the PTBC Trainee License 2 weeks before you take the final exam in the course.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
Software Requirements:

PC: Windows 10 or later.
Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
Microsoft Word Online
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:

Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment.

The following digital textbook for the Medical Terminology are accessed via links in the lessons:

Medical Terminology for Health Professions (eBook)
The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment in Pharmacy Technician:

Pharmaceutical Calculations for Pharmacy Technicians A Worktext
Law and Ethics for Pharmacy Technicians
Fundamental Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians
Workbook for Fundamental Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians
The Pharmacy Technician: A Comprehensive Approach
Pharmacy Lab Kit with Manual (only available for residents of U.S./Canada; additional information available in the FAQs section)
Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

Additionally: Your Pharmacy Lab Kit with Manual will be sent separately from the rest of your materials and will be received within three months of enrollment, however, delivery times may be delayed further due to supply chain shortages. We are unable to deliver the Pharmacy Lab Kit to P.O. Boxes; you may be asked to provide an alternate shipping address for your delivery.

Financial assistance information can be found on Rice Financial Aid's Visiting and Continuing Education Students page.
The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is $XX.

Registrations are considered final as of 10 working days before class starts. No refunds will be issued after these dates and credits will not be given for future classes. No refunds will be granted for participants who miss a portion of a program. Refund requests before the deadline are subject to a 10% processing fee and must be made in writing to gscs@rice.edu

How much can I expect to make as a certified pharmacy technician?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average pharmacy technician salary is $36,740, with the highest 10% earning more than $47,000 per year.

What is a pharmacy technician?  

Pharmacy technicians are critical members of the healthcare field who work alongside pharmacists in hospitals, drug and grocery stores, and other medical settings, where they help with the health and safety of customers—ensuring key medication-related duties are met and fulfilled.
Where can a pharmacy technician work?
Pharmacy technicians work in pharmacies. A pharmacy can be found in hospitals or healthcare facilities, drug and grocery stores, or may be independent.

How do I become a pharmacy technician?

Pharmacy technicians must have a high school diploma or equivalent and understand how to perform the essential pharmacy duties. Candidates can complete a certificate or postsecondary program to gain the knowledge and skills they need. Some can even gain the training they need on the job; however, most states regulate pharmacy technicians and require that they pass an exam or complete a formal training program. To work as a pharmacy technician in most states, you will need to either be licensed or have a professional certificate.

How do I get a pharmacy tech license?

Not all states require a pharmacy tech license, so you should check your state's Board of Pharmacy website for more information. PTCB State Regulations

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?

Our Pharmacy Technician course is self-paced and completed in 12 months or less. As part of your program, you will also complete a 100-hour Practicum Experience if you qualify. Finally, you will receive a voucher as a part of your program to sit for your certification exam. Once you are certified, you'll have the qualifications you need to find an entry-level job in any pharmacy.

What is PTCB Certification?

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) administers the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), which determines an individual's pharmacy technician knowledge. When you pass the exam, you become certified and may use the designation "CPhT". You will need to sit for the exam after this course; certification is not included. A voucher for the PTCE is included based on eligibility.

How can I find my state’s requirements for certification?

Online is a great resource for finding your state's requirements for certification. All states have a website with the Board of Pharmacy information. You can access this information directly or view a map from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) website at www.ptcb.org. Click on the "states" link for information. You can also call the state board and ask for the current technician regulations. This course does not meet state requirements for students intending to work in North Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.

What if my state requires more than what’s offered in this course?

Most states still offer employment prior to certification. This often comes with the stipulation that certification is acquired within a period of time (usually a year). During this period, you'll work as an unlicensed personnel member, clerk, or aide. On-the-job training or Practicum Experiences are a great way to obtain the number of hours required (many states require a minimum number of hours worked before you can be registered or certified with the board). If your goal is to work in a hospital pharmacy, finding that job while you're still a student will help you reach your employment requirements, along with the educational clinical requirements.

Can I register for this course if I am an international student?

Yes, ed2go courses are completely online. However, keep in mind that not all certifying bodies or industry-specific certifications are recognized internationally. Please review your country's regulations prior to enrolling in courses that prepare for certification. Please note that PTCB credentials are designed for use exclusively in the US. Therefore, PTCB exams are generally only administered in the US. Active members of the US military and their spouses are an exception and are eligible to test anywhere in the world.
The Pharmacy Lab Kit with the Manual is only available for students who reside in the U.S./Canada; alternative options are available for international students. Delivery times may vary. Please contact us for additional information before enrolling.

Does this course prepare you for certification?

Yes, this course does prepare you for a certification. You will be prepared to sit for the National Certification exam titled Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

What happens after I complete this course?

Upon successfully completing the course and fulfilling the financial obligation, you'll be awarded a certificate of completion. In addition, you will receive an exam voucher to sit for the National Certification Exam which is the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), offered by Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

Am I guaranteed a job?  

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering