Pharmacy Technician

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Pharmacy Technicians is a part of the medical technician industry, which is currently on the rise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects this industry to grow at least 12 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. Increased demand for prescription medications will lead to more demand for pharmaceutical services.

The Pharmacy Technician student will spend up to a total of 8 hours a week with the clinical competencies mastered under direct supervision of a campus instructor. Successful completion of all courses is required to receive program certificate of completion.

1. Demonstrate ethical conduct in all job-related activities
2. Present an image appropriate for the profession of pharmacy in appearance and behavior.
3. Communicate clearly when speaking and in writing.
4. Demonstrate a respectful attitude when interacting with diverse patient populations.
5. Apply self-management skills, including time management, stress management, and adapting to change.
6. Apply interpersonal skills, including negotiation skills, conflict resolution, and teamwork.
7. Apply critical thinking skills, creativity, and innovation to solve problems.
8. Demonstrate understanding of healthcare occupations and the health care delivery system.
9. Demonstrate commitment to excellence in the pharmacy profession and to continuing education and training.
10. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in areas of science relevant to the pharmacy technician’s role, including anatomy/physiology and pharmacology.
11. Perform mathematical calculations essential to the duties of pharmacy technicians in a variety of contemporary settings.
12. Demonstrate understanding of the pharmacy technician’s role in the medication-use process.
13. Demonstrate understanding of major trends, issues, goals, and initiatives taking place in the pharmacy profession.
14. Demonstrate understanding of non-traditional roles of pharmacy technicians.
15. Identify and describe emerging therapies.
16. Demonstrate understanding of the preparation and process for sterile and non-sterile compounding.
17. Assist pharmacist in collecting, organizing, and recording demographic and clinical information for direct patient care and medication-use review.
18. Receive and screen prescriptions/medication orders for completeness, accuracy, and authenticity.
19. Assist pharmacists in the identification of patients who desire/require counseling to optimize the use of medications, equipment, and devices.
20. Prepare non-patient-specific medications for distribution (e.g., batch, stock medications).
21. Distribute medications in a manner that follows specified procedures.
22. Assist pharmacists in preparing, storing, and distributing medication products requiring special handling and documentation [(e.g., controlled substances, immunizations, chemotherapy, investigational drugs, drugs with mandated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (Rems)].
23. Assist pharmacists in the monitoring of medication therapy.
24. Prepare patient-specific medications for distribution.
25. Maintain pharmacy facilities and equipment, including automated dispensing equipment.
26. Use material safety data sheets (MSDS) to identify, handle, and safely dispose of hazardous materials.
27. Prepare mediations requiring compounding of sterile, non-sterile and chemotherapy/hazardous products.
28. Initiate, verify, and assist in the adjudication of billing for pharmacy services and goods, and collect payment for these services.
29. Apply accepted procedures in purchasing pharmaceuticals, devices, and supplies and in inventory control of medications, equipment, and devices.
30. Explain pharmacy reimbursement plans for covering pharmacy services.
31. Apply patient-and medication-safety practices in all aspects of the pharmacy technician’s roles.
32. Verify measurements, preparation, and/or packaging of medications produced by other healthcare professionals (e.g. tech-check-tech)
33. Explain pharmacists’ roles when they are responding to emergency situations and how pharmacy technicians can assist pharmacists by being certified as a Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider.
34. Demonstrate skills required for effective emergency preparedness.
35. Assist pharmacists in medication reconciliation and medication therapy management.
36. Describe the use of current technology in the healthcare environment to ensure the safety and accuracy of medication dispensing.
37. Compare and contrast the roles of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in ensuring pharmacy department compliance with professional standards and relevant legal, regulatory, formulary, contractual, and safety requirements.
38. Maintain confidentiality of patient information.
39. Apply quality assurance practices to pharmaceuticals, durable and non-durable medical equipment, devices, and supplies.
40. Explain procedures and communication channels to use in the event of a produce recall or shortage, a medication error, or identification of another problem.