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Pharmacy Technician Program Overview

Apr 30, 2025

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