Pharmacy technician courses cover pharmaceutical fundamentals.
Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists prepare prescriptions as well as perform administrative duties and customer service at the pharmacy. Some technicians learn skills on the job while others are formally trained in technical or vocational programs. Typical pharmacy technician training programs last six months to two years depending on the degree sought. Pharmacy technician training covers many subjects including courses in medical terminology, pharmacology, pharmacy techniques, pharmaceutical calculations and bookkeeping.
Pharmaceutical Terminology
Pharmaceutical terminology courses familiarize students with the terms they will use regularly in the pharmacy technician occupation. Students are taught the fundamentals of the pharmacy language. The course covers the various types of medications as well as properly abbreviate and pronounce drug names.
Pharmacology
Pharmacology is another course pharmacy technicians are introduced to during training. Pharmacology is the study of drugs and how the body reacts to different medications. The course covers drug classes, the nervous system, drug properties and why certain drugs are used to treat certain types of disease.
As pharmacy technicians gain further understanding of the foundation of pharmacy techniques and pharmaceutical language, additional study in pharmacology is necessary to understand the more complex reactions the body might have to certain drugs.
Pharmaceutical Mathematics
Pharmacy technicians are exposed to important mathematical concepts on the job. Pharmaceutical mathematics courses cover measurements, calculations and other equations that are necessary to administer the proper dosages of medication based on customer profiles. Students are taught apply calculations as if assisting patients in a real pharmacy setting.
Instrumentation and Equipment
Pharmacy technicians use specialized equipment to perform their jobs. Many patients are prescribed certain devices to treat ailments and the pharmacist and pharmacy technician must be able to explain to the patient properly use and handle these devices. In instrumentation and equipment courses, students learn about home monitoring devices and other medical equipment. The course also covers policies and processes for pharmaceutical equipment as well as pharmacy inventory control.
Legal
Many state and federal laws regulate the pharmaceutical industry. Pharmacy law courses are designed to familiarize students with the laws that affect pharmacy practice. In this course, students learn the scope of their duties as allowed by law as well as the duties other pharmacy personnel may legally perform.
Clinical Internships
Many pharmacy technician programs offer internships and externships so students can gain real world experience in the occupation. In a clinical internship, students are introduced work in pharmacy settings working with pharmacists, pharmacy aides and customers.
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