There are several pharmacy technician schools throughout the country. If you are considering applying to some, here is what you need to know.
Questions You Should Ask Before Applying:
- Is there a certain number of students accepted into a pharmacy technician program each semester?
- Does the program prepare students for the certification exam?
- What is the graduation rate?
- How much does the program cost?
- Are there any admission requirements besides a high school diploma or GED?
Pharmacy Technician Degrees
When choosing a school, you’ll first need to consider if you want to earn a certificate, diploma, or an associate degree. Here’s a brief look at what each one has to offer:
Certificate – A certificate is usually completed in less than a year. Students learn the basic fundamental skills that are necessary to perform a pharmacy technician’s job duties.
Diploma – This type of program takes approximately one year to complete, and is for those who already have a degree. It doesn’t have to be in healthcare, though most students enrolled in a pharmacy technician diploma program have a degree in medical assisting or a related field.
Associate Degree – Usually, this degree takes twenty-four months to complete and gives students a more thorough education than certificate and degree programs. Students generally receive a broad scope of training in the medical field along with pharmacy practice training.
What are the Courses?
The pharmacy technician courses are based on the school and if students earn a certificate, diploma, or associate degree. Courses may include:
Anatomy – This course looks at the structure of the human body. It can be studied in two ways: the macroscopic level (meaning observing what is seen with the naked eye) and the microscopic level (meaning cells and microscopic structures).
Chemistry – Students will learn the properties, natures, and structures of different types of matter.
Compounding Medications – This course gives students the knowledge to mix and create customized medications to accommodate a patient’s specific needs.
Dosage Forms – This course centers on the different forms medications can take, such as pills, capsules, suppositories, and injections. Students will also learn the best methods for administering medications based on a patient’s condition.
Drug Preparation – Students learn the proper skills needed to prepare different types of medications including measuring, mixing, labeling, and packaging.
Medical Billing – This course teaches students how to interact with both physicians and insurance companies, as well as how to use the universal medical coding system which classifies every medical condition and treatment into sets of numeric codes.
Pharmacology – This course is the study of drug action and it examines the way a drug interacts with a living organism.
Pharmaceutical Calculations – Students will learn the calculations related to dosing, concentrations, injections, solution behavior, and other facets of prescription medications.
Pharmacy Administration – During Pharmacy Administration, students learn the overall operations and management of a clinical or retail pharmacy.
Pharmacy Computing – This course covers computer use in a pharmacy setting, and students learn about the various programs used for customer interactions, inventory, and record keeping.
Pharmacy Law – Students learn the state and federal laws that affect pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical drugs.
Physiology – When taking physiology, students study the human organ system and how it functions in a healthy human body. Students will observe systems such as the immune system, nervous system, the circulatory and respiratory systems, and the musculoskeletal system.
Internships
Some programs offer internships which give students valuable experience working in an actual pharmacy setting before graduation.
Top Pharmacy Technician Schools
Some of the top pharmacy technician schools include:
- Central Arizona College – Coolidge, Arizona
- Florida State College at Jacksonville – Jacksonville, Florida
- Robert Morris University – Chicago, Illinois
- University of Alaska – Anchorage, Alaska
- Vincennes University – Vincennes, Indiana
- West Virginia University at Parkersburg – Parkersburg, West Virginia
To learn more about pharmacy technician schools, please contact us.
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