Online Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program in Texas

Program Details

Program Length

Online: 48 weeks

Available Locations

Online Campus

Courses

Module IModule IIModule IIIModule IVModule VModule VI

Introduction to Pharmacy Technology

PTC 100

This course will provide students with an introduction to the historical evolution of the pharmacy profession and examine the future of pharmacy. It will explore the principles of the foundation of the pharmaceutical care model and the roles of the pharmacist and the pharmacy technician. Students will learn about different professional organizations and potential job opportunities in the field of pharmacy. Various methods of communication will be discussed along with professional communication, barriers to communication and conflict resolution. The course also covers the numerous reference materials used in the practice of pharmacy and how pharmaceutical information is utilized. Prerequisite: None

Lecture	48	hr.
Laboratory	0	hr.
Externship	0	hr.
Total Hours	48	hr.
Credits	48

Pharmacy Law and Prescription/ Medication Order Processing

PTC 101

This course covers federal pharmacy law, pharmacy ethics and ethical practice and the various regulatory agencies that oversee the practice of pharmacy. These include the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938, the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 among others. In addition, the course will cover the requirements for a legal prescription and medication order and the processing of it. Safety in the processing of prescriptions and the standards implemented by regulatory agencies will be discussed, including the handling of hazardous drugs and blood-borne pathogen standards. Prerequisite: None

Lecture	48	hr.
Laboratory	0	hr.
Externship	0	hr.
Total Hours	48	hr.
Credits	48

Pharmaceutical Dosage Calculations

PTC 103

In this course students will learn about the various dosage forms and routes of administration of medications currently available. Utilizing this information, students will gain knowledge in the three systems used for measuring medications and converting between them, measure temperature and measuring time. From there, students will gain basic math skills to perform dosing calculations on orally and parenterally administered medications, including flow rate calculations and calculations on special patient populations such as pediatric patients. Prerequisite: PTC 100 and PTC 101

Lecture	48	hr.
Laboratory	0	hr.
Externship	0	hr.
Total Hours	48	hr.
Credits	48

Pharmacology I

PTC 201

In this course students will learn the anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, diseases and disorders, and treatments of the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and endocrine system. Students will have exposure to the most common brand and generic names of medications used, their common doses and adverse effects. Prerequisite: PTC 100 and PTC 101

Lecture	48	hr.
Laboratory	0	hr.
Externship	0	hr.
Total Hours	48	hr.
Credits	48

Pharmacy Administrative Skills

PTC 104

In this course students will learn about the various administrative skills needed by pharmacy technicians to work in a pharmacy. This includes knowledge of the types of health insurance and pharmacy benefits patients utilize, how to bill them and how to resolve billing issues when they occur, and how to respond when a third-party audit takes place. Students will learn about proper inventory control and inventory management, including computerized inventory systems, point-of-sales systems, medication return processes, purchasing procedures as well as controlled substances, and proper disposal of medications. Documentation of medication errors and overall safety is paramount in pharmacy. Students will learn of the different types of medication error types, risk factors for the occurrence of errors and systems for the reporting of errors. Prerequisite: PTC 100 and PTC 101

Lecture	60	hr.
Laboratory	0	hr.
Externship	0	hr.
Total Hours	60	hr.
Credits	60

Pharmacology II

PTC 202

In this course students will learn the anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, diseases and disorders, and treatments of the cardiovascular system, immune system, and respiratory system. Students will have exposure to the most common brand and generic names of medications used, their common doses and adverse effects. Prerequisite: PTC 100 and PTC 101

Lecture	48	hr.
Laboratory	0	hr.
Externship	0	hr.
Total Hours	48	hr.
Credits	48

Community Pharmacy Practice and Laboratory

PTC 120

In this course students will learn the role of the pharmacy technician, the processing prescriptions, extemporaneous compounding, point of sale, handling of durable medical equipment, among other tasks needed in the retail pharmacy setting. In the laboratory portion of this class students will have the opportunity to utilize measuring equipment such as graduated cylinders, electronic scales, and balances in the preparation of reconstituted powdered medications for oral administration, create creams and ointments for topical administration. USP <795> will be discussed and implemented during training in this course. In addition, students will have practice entering, billing, ordering and point-of-sale services while in the classroom environment. Prerequisite: PTC 100 and PTC 101

Lecture	35	hr.
Laboratory	60	hr.
Externship	0	hr.
Total Hours	95	hr.
Credits	95

Pharmacology III

PTC 203

In this course students will learn the anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, diseases and disorders, and treatments of the urinary system, digestive system, and reproductive system. Students will have exposure to the most common brand and generic names of medications used, their common doses and adverse effects. Prerequisite: PTC 100 and PTC 101

Lecture	48	hr.
Laboratory	0	hr.
Externship	0	hr.
Total Hours	48	hr.
Credits	48

Institutional Pharmacy Practice and Laboratory

PTC 121

In this course students will learn the role of the pharmacy technician, the processing of medication orders, including computerized physician order entry, proper hand hygiene and donning of PPE, aseptic technique, sterile compounding, unit dosing, preparation of emergency dispensing kits and automated dispensing machines in hospital and other advanced practice pharmacies, such as radio-pharmacies, nuclear pharmacies and long-term care pharmacies. During the lab portion of this class USP <797> and <800> will be discussed and implemented as students prepare various small-volume parenteral, large-volume parenteral, prefilled syringes, TPNs, and chemotherapy products among others. Prerequisite: PTC 120

Lecture	35	hr.
Laboratory	60	hr.
Externship	0	hr.
Total Hours	95	hr.
Credits	95

Pharmacology IV

PTC 204

Prerequisite:

Lecture	48	hr.
Laboratory	0	hr.
Externship	0	hr.
Total Hours	48	hr.
Credits	48

Pharmacy Technician Certification Prep and Computer Prescription Processing

PTC 300

This course provides a complete review of the program content in preparation for the PTCE offered by PTCB or the ExCPT offered by NHA through a structured classroom review and testing to assess the student’s recall of materials presented throughout the program. In addition, students will utilize pharmacy software to practice entering, billing, ordering, and POS services while in the classroom environment. Prerequisite: PTC100, PTC101, PTC102, PTC103, PTC104, PTC105, PTC106, PTC120, PTC121, PTC122

Lecture	35	hr.
Laboratory	60	hr.
Externship	0	hr.
Total Hours	95	hr.
Credits	95

Pharmacy Technician Externship

PTC 301

Students will complete 160 hours of experimental learning in a functioning pharmacy under the direct supervision of qualified pharmacy personnel, providing real-life experiences that technicians encounter on a daily basis. The externship site will be either a community or institutional site to be determined by the Pharmacy Technician Program Chair. Prerequisite: PTC300 **PLEASE NOTE THE TRAINEE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT ABOVE

Lecture	0	hr.
Laboratory	0	hr.
Externship	160	hr.
Total Hours	160	hr.
Credits	160

What Will I Learn in the Pharmacy Technician Program?

A blend of instruction in clinical and administrative skills in our program is designed to help prepare you for a well-rounded professional experience, enabling you to function effectively in various pharmacy settings. Our Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program provides instruction in the following.

Clinical Skills:

Knowledge of medications and dosages, compounding, and reconstitution

Understanding human body systems, diseases, and disorders, as well as their respective treatments

Understanding how medications affect bodily functions and systems

Practical skills in sterile and non-sterile compounding

Training in safety and hygiene in handling medications

Hands-on experience with precise measuring equipment and preparation of various forms of medications

Understanding the guidelines and standards governing compounding and equipment usage

Administrative Skills:

Awareness of pharmacy laws, ethical practices, and the roles of regulatory bodies to ensure adherence to protocols and patient safety

Managing health insurance and patient pharmacy benefits

Resolving billing issues

Inventory management, including the use of computerized systems, medication returns, purchasing, and proper medication disposal

Knowledge of common medication errors, risk factors, and reporting

Use of pharmacy software for billing, ordering, and maintaining records

Techniques for effective professional communication and conflict resolution

Where Do Pharmacy Technicians Work?

Pharmacy technicians work in a variety of settings, reflecting the diverse roles they can undertake within the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Here are some possible workplaces for pharmacy technicians:

Retail pharmacies in chain drug stores and supermarkets

Independent pharmacies

Hospital pharmacies, including inpatient and outpatient pharmacies

Clinical settings, such as health clinics and urgent care centers

Long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and rehabilitation centers

Compounding pharmacies that specialize in creating specific medication admixtures

Mail order and online pharmacies

Wholesale drug distributors

Government and military facilities

Educational or research institutions, such as colleges or universities and pharmaceutical research companies

Insurance companies

The pharmaceutical industry in roles related to medication manufacturing, marketing, or testing

Pharmacy Technician Job Outlook:

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of pharmacy technicians will grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than average for all professions. Around 44,900 pharmacy technician jobs are expected to become available each year, mainly due to workers retiring or changing fields.

Pharmacy Technician Occupations

Certified Pharmacy Technician

Remote/ Telepharmacy Technician

IV Pharmacy Technician

Compounding Pharmacy Technician

Specialty Pharmacy Technician

Lead Pharmacy Technician

Clinical Pharmacy Technician

Chemotherapy Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technician Supervisor

Nuclear Pharmacy Technician

FAQs

What is a pharmacy technician?

A pharmacy technician assists licensed pharmacists in dispensing medications and providing service to patients. A pharmacy technician handles various tasks, including measuring medications, managing prescriptions, and maintaining patient records. Working in diverse settings like hospitals, retail pharmacies, or long-term care facilities, they serve as vital liaisons between patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies, ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of healthcare services.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?

Our online Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program is a 48-week program. All students must attend skills labs on campus and complete an externship. To be certified, students must take and pass a National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination to become a certified pharmacy technician.

Texas requires pharmacy technicians to be registered to practice in the state.

What can I expect from CHCP during the Pharmacy Technician Certificate program?

CHCP provides you with the opportunity to gain knowledge in the online classroom, hands-on experience in the skills lab, and practical experience in a clinical setting during your externship. You will have the opportunity to learn the hard and soft skills needed to begin work as an entry-level pharmacy technician. CHCP also offers lifetime career services, including resume, interview, and placement assistance.

Pharmacy Technician Requirements

Participants must be in excellent health and have the ability to carry out professional duties and demonstrate professional attributes. All applicants must be able to read and write English.

Application Requirements:

Required to have a High School Diploma or GED
Pass the Scholastic Level Exam (admissions test) with a minimum score of 14
Read and write English
Third-party criminal background check
Able to register with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Technician Trainee

Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program

Classes Start May 6th

Our Pharmacy Technician Program is structured to enable you to acquire the knowledge needed to aid pharmacists and oversee prescription management.