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Pharmacy Technician

a Pharmacy Technician smiling

ABOUT THE PHARMACY TECHNICIAN PROGRAM

The demand for Pharmacy Technicians continues to grow due to availability of new drugs, national shortage, aging population, and establishment of certified technicians. This 80-hour program prepares participants to work in pharmacies as pharmacy technicians under the direction of a pharmacist. MCC’s program enables technicians to work more efficiently with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and service.
MCC’s Pharmacy Technician program is a Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) recognized program authorized to deliver training for the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential. The CPhT certification is recognized in all 50 US states. Nebraska, Iowa and most other US states and territories require a PTCB or similar certification to work as Pharmacy Technician.

For more information on the CPhT certification, visit the PTCB website by clicking PTCB credentials for certified pharmacy technicians
 

JOB DUTIES OF A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN

Pharmacy Technicians main responsibility is filling prescriptions according to doctors' orders and prepare medications for dispensing to patients. This generally includes retrieving drugs in the correct dosage form and strength, measuring the appropriate amount of drug and producing a prescription label. Pharmacy Technicians work with drugs to be administered orally, topically, for the eye, nose, etc. Depending upon the practice setting, a Pharmacy Technician is also involved in the admixture of drugs for intravenous use.

Typical job duties include:

  • checking inventories and ordering supplies
  • receiving and checking in supplies
  • assisting customers
  • keeping pharmacy work areas clean
  • complete insurance forms

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

  • 18 years of age
  • High School Diploma or equivalent
  • Must never have been convicted of any non-alcohol, drug related misdemeanor or felony

COURSE INFORMATION

Course content includes medical terminology specific to the pharmacy, reading and interpreting prescriptions and defining drugs by generic and brand names. Students will learn dosage calculations, I.V. flow rates, drug compounding, dose conversions, dispensing of prescriptions, inventory control and billing and reimbursement. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Program includes a graded final exam to help prepare students for the PTCB exam.

Contact hours: 80

Outline:

  • Role of the pharmacy technician
  • Pharmacy history/discussion of various practice settings and the technician certification process
  • Recruiting by pharmacy specialty
  • “evolution of pharmacy”
  • Review of hospital pharmacy setting, retail practice, regulatory agencies involved with a pharmacy practice, long term care practice setting, mail order pharmacy, home care pharmacy practice
  • Pharmacy measures, roman numerals, abbreviations
  • Review of generic drugs, basic biopharmaceuticals, dosage forms, patient profiles
  • Prescription label requirements, order transcription, ordering and inventory control, drug pricing, third party reimbursement
  • Formularies, unit dose systems, emergency and crash carts, house supplies, automatic stop orders, calculating number of doses required
  • All major classes of drugs including top brand names and generic drugs
  • Aseptic technique, handling of sterile products including antineoplastic agent considerations
  • Basics of iv solutions, calculating 24 hour supply of iv solutions, percentages and electrolytes preparations
  • The metric system
  • Apothecaries’ and avoirdupois systems of measurement
  • Children’s doses
  • Allegation method, math review
  • Total parenteral nutrition (tpn), demonstration of tpn admixture, hands-on practice of iv admixture and parenteral medication preparation.

Price - $2154 - Price includes textbooks, lab supplies, and exam voucher.

 

Upcoming Schedule, click on the class to register:

Summer 2024: June 4 - September 10 / Fort Omaha Campus


If you are interested in funding, visit our GAP website for eligibility and information to apply for funding.  Please keep in mind you need to apply for funding at least 30 days before the start of a class, and there is additional coursework prior to the start date for the program you are looking to enroll in.  Community College GAP program

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Metropolitan Community College complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act and its amendments. If a prospective student who is otherwise qualified requires a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Disability Support Services office at Metropolitan Community College (MCC).
 

General Standard

Specific Example

Ability to use senses

  • Visual acuity to identify, read, and understand directions on equipment and other documents required in the pharmacy environment such as procedures and administering medications, sharps, or equipment. 

  • Ability to distinguish distance, colors, objects, and persons. Demonstrate depth perception.

  • Perceive the size, shape, temperature, or texture of objects by touching with fingertips.

Physical Ability

  • Ability to stand for long periods.

  • Pick and pinch small tablets with fingers, and seize, hold, grasp or turn objects with hands.

  • See objects at close vision and be able to identify and distinguish colors.

  • Ability to have steady use of hands and arms.

  • Ability to lift, move, carry, push, and pull at least 10 pounds.

  • Ability to stand and kneel.


Tuition Assistance:

These classes and programs are eligible for following tuition assistance programs. Eligibility and funding availability is awarded on a case-by-case basis depending upon eligibility criteria established through state and federal guidelines. For more information on eligibility criteria, email MCC at corporatetraining@mccneb.edu

Students and professionals:

Employers:

 

For more information on this program or to speak with a MCC staff member, submit an interest inquiry form.