Pharmacy technicians prepare prescriptions
under the supervision of a pharmacist in retail, mail-order, hospital
and residential medical settings. Education and certification
requirements for becoming a pharmacy technician are state-governed and
may vary. Online courses may be offered as part of a certificate or
associate's degree program in pharmacy tech and cover terminology,
pharmacy math and certification preparation.
Overview of Pharmacy Technician Courses Available Online
Online courses for
pharmacy technicians
may be offered individually or as part of online certificate or
Associate of Applied Science programs. They can be used by prospective
technicians to prepare for certification exams or as continuing
education for established technicians. Students study pharmacy
operations and procedures as well as pharmacology. Schools may offer
internship opportunities which must be completed in person at local
clinics or pharmacies.
Since requirements for pharmacy technicians vary in terms of initial
education, registration, certification, training and continuing
education, it is important to check with the pharmacy board of the state
where you will be working. The National Association of Boards of
Pharmacy, which governs state pharmacy boards, provides a list of all
state boards on its website (
www.nabp.net).
Course Requirements
These online courses require regular access to a computer with
high-speed Internet access. The computer needs a sound card and speakers
to play lectures. A word processing program and Adobe Reader will also
be necessary, and anti-virus software is strongly recommended. Students
will also need an email account that can send and receive attachments.
List of Online Pharmacy Technician Courses
Pharmacy Practices Course
This course familiarizes participants with the equipment, inventory
techniques, record keeping, safety practices and operational guidelines
relevant to the pharmacy environment. Additional topics include health
insurance, over-the-counter medications, quality control practices and
customer service skills.
Basic Pharmacology Course
In pharmacology, students learn how drugs interact with bodily
systems and how they combat illness and disease. Topics include
therapeutic action, classification, dosage, toxicity and compounding.
Teachers explain how drugs are administered and what potential side
effects or drug interactions can appear.
Medical Terminology Course
This class introduces students to the vocabulary and terminology of
modern medicine. Terms covered include generic and branded drug names,
anatomy and types of illnesses. Abbreviations and symbols commonly used
in the health field are also discussed.
Pharmacy Mathematics Course
The metric units of measurement commonly used in pharmacology are
covered in this course. Students learn how to calculate dosages, ratios,
percentages and proportions, as well as how to reduce and enlarge
formulas and prepare dilutions and concentrations. The class also
explains how to translate between different units of measurement.
Pharmacy Law Course
In this course students learn about laws governing the field of
pharmacy on both state and federal levels. Emphasis is placed on the
difference between the responsibilities of licensed pharmacists and
pharmacy technicians. Study also covers the Controlled Substances Act,
regulations for storage and dispensation of medications, safety
practices and ethical constraints.
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