Pharmacy Technician Program: Module 1 - Pharmacy Tech Fundamentals

Lesson 1.1: The Professional Pharmacy Technician

Learning Objectives

• Roles of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
  • Professional characteristics and communication
  • Safe & effective communication in pharmacy settings

Characteristics of a Good Pharmacy Technician

• Wide Range of Knowledge and Skills
• Compliant with Procedures and Guidelines
• Quality and Accuracy Focused
• Ethical Standards Maintenance
• Professional Manner and Image

Duties

• Operational Duties
  • Assist pharmacists, manage profiles, billing, and inventory
• Patient Care Duties
  • Refer questions, review charts, prepare medications

Pharmacist vs. Pharmacy Tech

• Pharmacist: Manages medications, patient counseling, compliance
• Pharmacy Tech: Assists in medication preparation, customer inquiries, inventory

Credentialing Organizations

• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
  • Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) exam
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
  • Requires CEUs for recertification

Lesson 1.2: Pharmacy Abbreviations

Learning Objectives

• Parts of pharmacological terms
• Common root words, prefixes, suffixes
• Common abbreviations, acronyms, symbols

Pharmacy Abbreviations

• Parts of a Medical Term: Prefix, Root, Suffix
• Prefix Examples: a-, anti-, bio-, hyper-
• Root Words Examples: derma, oste, cardi, hepat-
• Suffix Examples: -algia, -ectomy, -itis, -logy

SIG Codes

• Directions/SIG Codes: Indicate dosages, times, frequency
  • Example: “take one tablet po qd ac & hs”

Lesson 1.3: Pharmacy Law & Ethics

Learning Objectives

• Categories of US Law affecting pharmacy
• Regulatory agencies overseeing pharmacy
• Significant laws and amendments

Regulatory Agencies

• CDC: Disease prevention and control
• FDA: Drug safety and approval
• DEA: Narcotics regulation
• CMS: Medicare and Medicaid regulations
• SBOP: State-specific pharmacy regulation
• OSHA: Worker safety standards

Pharmacy Laws - DEA

• Controlled Substances Act of 1970:
  • Establishment of DEA
  • Controlled substance schedules
  • DEA responsibilities
• Schedule Examples:
  • Schedule I: Illegal drugs (e.g., heroin)
  • Schedule II: High abuse potential (e.g., cocaine)
  • Schedule III-V: Various levels of abuse potential

HIPAA

• Protects patient health information
• Ensures confidentiality and legal compliance
• Role of Pharmacy Techs in protecting PHI

Lesson 2.1: Retail and Institutional Pharmacy

Learning Objectives

• Ambulatory and institutional pharmacy settings
• Work environment of retail pharmacies
• Staff roles and organization in institutional pharmacies

Types of Retail Pharmacies

• Chain Pharmacies: Corporate-owned
• Franchise Pharmacies: Independently operated
• Independent Pharmacies: Personalized services
• Outpatient Pharmacies: Affiliated with healthcare facilities

Pharmacy Tech in Retail Pharmacy

• Operational Duties: Assist pharmacists, manage prescriptions
• Customer Interactions: Use “APPLE” method: Approach, Probe, Present, Listen, End politely
• Situations to Alert Pharmacist: Consultations, narcotics, forged prescriptions

Types of Institutional Pharmacies

• Hospital Pharmacies
• Long-term Care Facilities
• Hospices
• Nursing Homes
• Correctional Facilities

Pharmacy Tech in Institutional Pharmacies

• Inventory Management: Monitor and maintain inventory
• Order Fulfillment: Fill orders accurately
• Data Handling: Ensure accuracy, report data
• Education and Safety: Support healthcare professionals, ensure labeling accuracy

End of Week 1 Overview