Pharmacy Technician Professional Program

Pharmacology

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Identify the core elements of drugs and their effects on the body
• Recognize commonly dispensed dosage forms and routes drug administration
• Recall drug classifications based on the systems of the body they affect
• List the ways drugs are processed by the body
• Define the various drug abbreviations and systems of measurement

Pharmacy Calculations

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Identify ratios, proportions, percentages, fractions, and decimals
• Recall the basics of the metric system and apothecary system as units of measurement
• Recognize the steps to interpret a physician’s orders and read a drug label
• Define the essential guidelines for medication administration
• List the steps to calculate for various dosages and for differing ages

Pharmacy Technician

At the completion of this course you should be able to:

• Recognize the role of a pharmacy technician
• Identify the steps to perform pharmacy calculations
• Recall pharmacy prescription abbreviations, information, and the fill process
• Identify proper drug management and safety techniques
• Define conditions that effect the human body

Pharmacology

Pharmacology Module 1
Drug History, Regulations and Interactions

• The History of Medicines and Their Uses
• Drug Legislation
• Pharmacokinetic Phases
• Concepts of Drug Bioavailability and Bioequivalence
• Drug-Response Relationships
• Agonists, Antagonists, and Partial Agonists
• The Relationship Between Drug Effectiveness and Potency
• Patient’s Adherence to Drug Therapy
• Methods Technicians Use to Avoid Errors
• Preventing Undesired Drug Interactions

Pharmacology Module 2
Treatment of Psychological and Neurological Disorders

• Primary Types of Depressive Orders
• Classes of Medication to treat Anxiety Disorders
• Medications to Treat Schizophrenia and Psychoses
• Balancing a Drug’s Side Effect Against Desired Response
• Medications Used to Treat Parkinson’s and Huntington’s Disease
• Role of Dopamine and Acetylcholine in Parkinson’s Disease
• Drug Interactions of Patient’s with Seizures
• Significant Drug Look-Alike/Sound-Alike Issues
• The Etiology of Pain and Migraine Headache
• Treatment of Nociceptive Pain and Neuropathic Pain

Pharmacology Module 3
Alzheimer’s Disease, Sleep Disorders and Neuromuscular Diseases

• The Neurochemistry of Alzheimer’s Disease
• Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors
• Sleep Disorders and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Symptoms Associated with Sleep Deprivation
• Neuromuscular Blockade and Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
• Safe Management of Neuromuscular Blocking Drugs in the Pharmacy
• The Signs and Symptoms of Spasticity
• Mechanisms of Action for Each Class of Drugs Used in the Treatment of Spasticity
• Autoimmune Diseases that Affect the Musculoskeletal System
• Categories of Medications Used in the Treatment of Autoimmune Disease

Pharmacology Module 4
Diseases of the Bone, Eye and Ear

• Signs and Symptoms of Paget’s Disease and Osteoporosis
• Significant Drug Look-Alike and Sound-Alike Issues
• Medical Conditions Associated with Hyperuricemia and Gout
• Drugs in Each Class, Mechanism of Action and Adverse Reactions
• Categories of Medications Used with the Treatment of Gout
• The Use of Laser Surgery in the Treatment of Glaucoma
• Treatment of Disorders of the Ear
• Ostosclerosis and Sensorineural Hearing Loss
• The Treatment of Eye Infections
• The Treatment of Ear Infections

Pharmacology Module 5
Conditions of the Heart

• The Symptoms and Risk Factors for Angina
• Medications Used to Treat Angina
• Complications Associated with Untreated or Uncontrolled Hypertension
• Drugs Used to Treat Hypertension
• The Mechanism of Action for Each Class of Drugs Used to Treat Heart Failure
• The Prevalence, Mortality Rate, and Risk Factors for Heart Disease
• The Symptoms of Myocardial Infarction and Stroke
• Common Drug Classes Used in the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction and Stroke
• The Nonmodifiable and Modifiable Risk Factors of MI and Stroke
• Medications Used to Treat Arrhythmias

Pharmacology Module 6
Gastrointestinal and Pulmonary Diseases and Allergies

• Medications Used to Treat GERD, LPR, and PUD
• Common Endings For Drug Classes Used in the Treatment of GERD, LPR, and PUD
• Significant Drug Look-Alike and Sound-Alike Issues
• Warning Labels and Precautionary Messages Associated with Medications
• Rick Factors for COPD and Asthma
• Medications Used in the Treatment of Asthma and COPD
• Common Endings for Drug Classes Used in the Treatment of Asthma and COPD
• Symptoms of Allergic Reactions
• The Prevalence, Costs, and Triggers for Allergies
• The Classes of Drugs Used to Treat Allergies

Pharmacology Module 7
Prostate Disease, Electrolyte Disorders, Thyroid Disorders, Diabetes

• Prostate Disease and Erectile Dysfunction
• Medications and Drug Classes for Prostate Disease
• Warning Labels and Precautionary Messages
• Significant Drug Look-Alike/Sound-Alike Issues
• Concept of Homeostasis and the Locations of Fluids in the Body
• Functions of Thyroid Hormones
• Hormone Replacement Therapies Used with Hypothyroidism
• Categories of Medication Used to Treat Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism
• Four Types of Diabetes
• Adverse Reactions for All Medications

Pharmacology Module 8
Bacterial and Viral Infection and Cancer and Immunizations

• Contraceptive Medications and Devices
• Treatment of Infertility, Hypogonadism, Androgen Deficiency and Endometriosis
• The Mechanisms of Resistance Bacteria that Develops
• Antibiotic Misuse in Creating Microbial Resistance
• The Structure and Function of Viruses
• Four Categories of Antivirals
• Nine Categories of Drugs Used to Treat Cancer
• Methods of Screening for Specific Cancers
• The Uses of Immunosuppressants
• The Principle of Underlying Vaccination

Pharmacology Module 9
Fungal and Skin Infections

• Common Types of Fungi
• Treatments for Fungal and Yeast Infections
• Treatments of Wounds, Ulcers, and Burns
• Nonpharmaceutical Treatments for Wounds
• Various Forms of Acne and Their Causes
• Treatments for Different Types of Acne
• Pharmaceutical Treatments for Eczema and Psoriasis
• Medications that Suppress the Immune System
• At-Risk Populations for Lice and Scabies
• Medications Used to Treat Lice and Scabies

**Outlines are subject to change, as courses and materials are updated.**

Pharmacy Calculations

Pharmacy Calculations Module 1
Review of Mathematics 

• Fractions
• Decimals
• Percents
• Ratios
• Proportions

Pharmacy Calculations Module 2
Units and Measurement

• Metric and Household Measurements
• Dimensional Analysis
• Proportion
• Household Measurements
• Calculations Used in Patient Assessments
• Calculating Intake and Output
• Calculating Patient Weight
• Calculating Patient Lengths

Pharmacy Calculations Module 3
Preparation for Calculation of Drug Dosages

• Safety in Medication Administration
• Quality and Safety Education for Nurses
• Methods to Promote Safety in Medical Administration
• Interpretation of the Physician’s Orders
• Written and Verbal Orders
• Introduction to Drug Dosages
• How to Read Medication Labels
• Parts of a Drug Label

Pharmacy Calculations Module 4
Oral Dosages

• Capsules and Tablets
• Liquids
• Milliequivalents
• Oral Drug Dosage Calculation

Pharmacy Calculations Module 5
Parenteral Dosages

• Syringes
• Calculation of Parenteral Drug Dosages: Dimensional Analysis Method
• Calculation of Parental Drug Dosages: Proportion Method
• Parental Drug Dosage Calculation: Alternative Formula Method

Pharmacy Calculations Module 6
Dosages and Reconstitution of Medications

• Insulin
• Insulin Syringes and Pens
• Dosages Involving Oral Medications
• Dosages Involving Parenteral Medications
• Mixed Insulin Administration
• Powder Reconstitution

Pharmacy Calculations Module 7
Flow Rates 

• IV Administration of Fluids and Medications by Gravity
• Infusion of IV Fluids and Medications by an IV Pump
• Saline and Herapin Locks
• Central Venous Catheters
• Patient-Controlled Analgesia
• Intravenous Flow Rates
• Critical Care Intravenous Flow Rates

Pharmacy Calculations Module 8
Pediatric and Obstetric Dosages

• Pediatric Dosage Calculations
• Calculate the 4 Hour Dosage
• Calculate the Individual Dose or Single Dose
• Body Surface Area Calculations
• IV Administration of Medications by Milliunits/Minute
• IV Administration of Medications by Milligrams/Minute

**Outlines are subject to change, as courses and materials are updated.**

Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technician Module 1
History, Laws, & Ethics

• History Medicine
• Pharmacy Law
• Ethics
• Regulatory Agencies
• Competencies
• Associations
• Settings for Technicians
• Professionalism in the Workplace

Pharmacy Technician Module 2
Communication, Dosage, Administration, and Conversions

• Role of the Technician with the Customer/Patient
• Terms and Abbreviations
• Where Did Pharmacy Abbreviations Originate?
• Dosing Instructions
• Classification of Medications
• Classifications of Drug Sales
• History of Pharmacy Calculations
• Measurement Systems
• Business Calculations

Pharmacy Technician Module 3
Community and Institutional Pharmacy Practice 

• Researching a Drug
• Electronic Referencing
• Role of the Pharmacy Technician
• Prescription Preparation
• Pharmacy Layout
• Types of Hospitals
• Hospital Pharmacy Standards and Procedures
• Specialized and Advanced Pharmacy Technician Opportunities

Pharmacy Technician Module 4
Non-Sterile, Sterile Compounding, and Pharmacy Billing

• Bulk Repackaging
• Non-Sterile Compounding
• Compounding Professionalism
• Regulatory and Quality Control
• Terminology Used in Pharmacy
• Routes of Administration
• Medication Delivery Systems
• Aseptic Technique
• Third-Party Billing
• Inventory Management

Pharmacy Technician Module 5
Medication Safety and Pharmacy Operations Management 

• Five Rights of Medication Safety
• Types of Medication Errors
• Errors in the Pharmacy
• Age-Related Errors
• Community and Institutional Pharmacy
• Improving Efficiency Techniques
• Classifying Drugs
• Generic Vs. Brand Names
• Drug Classifications

Pharmacy Technician Module 6
Therapeutic Agents for Nervous, Endocrine, Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular Systems 

• Conditions of the Nervous System and Their Treatments
• Peripheral Nervous System
• Descriptions of Hormones and Glands
• Conditions of the Endocrine System and Their Treatments
• Anatomy and Physiology of Skeletal Muscle
• Common Conditions Affecting the Musculoskeletal System
• Anatomy of the Heart and Vasculature System

Pharmacy Technician Module 7
Therapeutic Agents for Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, Renal Systems 

• Structure and Function of the Respiratory System
• Disorders and Conditions of the Respiratory System
• Form and Role of the Gastrointestinal System
• Anatomy and Physiology of the Gastrointestinal System
• Anatomy and Physiology of the Renal and Urological System
• Conditions Affecting the Renal and Urological Systems

Pharmacy Technician Module 8
Therapeutic Agents for Reproductive, Immune, Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat 

• Female Reproductive System
• Male Reproductive System
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• Autoimmune Disorders
• Transplant Rejection
• Immunizations
• Conditions that Affect the Eye
• Nose and Sinuses
• The Throat

Pharmacy Technician Module 9
Dermatological, Hematological and Complementary and Alternative Medicine

• Anatomy and Physiology of the Dermatological System
• Anatomy and Physiology of the Hematological System
• Food and Drug Administration Regulations
• Restricted Over-the-Counter Products
• Urinary Incontinence
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine

**Outlines are subject to change, as courses and materials are updated.**

Pharmacy Technician

Upon successful completion of our Pharmacy Technician course, students will be prepared for an entry-level position to sit for the PTCB national certification exam to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCE).

** Certification exams are not included in the cost of the course.**

Internet Connection

• Broadband or High-Speed - DSL, Cable, and Wireless Connections

*Dial-Up internet connections will result in a diminished online experience. Classroom pages may load slowly and viewing large audio and video files may not be possible.

Hardware Requirements

• Processor - 2GHz Processor or Higher
• Memory - 1 GB RAM Minimum Recommended

PC Software Requirements

• Operating Systems - Windows 7 or higher
• Microsoft Office 2013 or higher. Also, you could use a general Word Processing application to save and open Microsoft Office formats (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx)
• Internet Browsers - Google Chrome is highly recommended
  • Cookies MUST be enabled
  • Pop-ups MUST be allowed (Pop-up Blocker disabled)
• The Kindle Reader App or VitalSource Bookshelf App are needed for many of our courses (No special equipment needed. This can be downloaded for FREE onto your computer.)
• PowerPoint Viewer (if you do not have PowerPoint)

• Adobe PDF Reader

• QuickTime, Windows Media Player &/or Real Player

MAC Software Requirements

• Operating Systems - Mac OS x 10 or higher with Windows
• Mac office programs or a Word Processing application to save and open Microsoft Office formats (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx)
• Internet Browsers- Google Chrome is highly recommended
  • Cookies MUST be enabled
  • Pop-ups MUST be allowed (Pop-up Blocker disabled)
• The Kindle Reader App or VitalSource Bookshelf App are needed for many of our courses (No special equipment needed. This can be downloaded for FREE onto your computer.)
• PowerPoint Viewer (if you do not have PowerPoint)
• Adobe PDF Reader
• Apple QuickTime Media Player