OBJECTIVE: The Pharmacy Technician program is designed to equip students with the skills to provide medication to patients and perform almost every function in the pharmacy. Students will receive instruction in handling prescriptions, answering telephones, pharmacy and medical office administration, taking refill requests, and operating health care information systems. The pharmacy technician graduate will be qualified for entry-level employment in retail pharmacies, various hospitals, and mail-order pharmacies.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

ML 115 Pharmacology and Medication Administration / Orthopedic and Diagnostic Imaging Lab
(Theory Hours 8, Lab Hours 22, Total Credit Hours 1)
This course is designed for students to perfect the skills learned in Pharmacology and Medication Administration/Orthopedic and Diagnostic Imaging. Students are required to perform these skills for their instructor prior to completing the course.
Must be taken concurrently with MA 115


ML 118 Neurology and Sensory, Specialty Clinical Procedures, and Surgical Preparation Lab
(Theory Hours 8, Lab Hours 22, Total Credit Hours1)
This course is designed for students to perfect the skills learned in Neurology and Sensory, Specialty Clinical Procedures, and Surgical Preparation. Students are required to perform these skills for their instructor prior to completing the course.
Must be taken concurrently with MA 118

PD 200 Customer Relations and Servicing
(Theory Hours 16, Lab Hours 14, Total Credit Hours 1.5)
This course focuses on relating to customers on a one-on-one basis. Emphasis is placed on the people skills needed to enhance a company, its public image, and satisfy its customers. Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to: 1) demonstrate professional verbal communication with customers; 2) demonstrate appropriate nonverbal communication; and 3) explain procedures for handling difficult customers.
Prerequisite – None

PH 200 Introduction to Pharmacy
(Theory Hours 20, Lab Hours 12.5, Total Credit Hours 2)
This course focuses on the workings of a pharmacy. Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to: 1) list the members of the pharmacy team and explain each of their roles in the pharmacy; 2) discuss the principles of basic hygiene and safety in the pharmacy; 3) use a cash register and credit card scanner; 4) identify the common abbreviations used for dosage forms and routes administration; and 5) identify a properly filled-out prescriptions blank.
Prerequisite – None

PH 210 Pharmacology I
(Theory Hours 20, Lab Hours 12.5, Total Credit Hours 2)
This course focuses on pharmaceutical terminology. Emphasis will be placed on pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacy economics. Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to: 1) explain the process of pharmacokinetics; 2) solve drug problems involving solutions and solid dosage forms; 3) describe the three major types of adrenergic blocking drugs and the pharmacological effects produced by each type; 4) identify drugs that are used in the chronic treatment of spastic muscle disorders; and 5) identify which local anesthetics must be administered by injection.
Prerequisite – None

PH 220 Pharmacology II
(Theory Hours 20, Lab Hours 12.5, Total Credit Hours 2)
This course will focus on drug classifications. Emphasis will be placed on autonomic, cardiac, antimicrobial, analgesics, antipsychotic, and antidepressant, and antihypertensive drugs. Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to: 1) list three classes of antipsychotic drugs and describe the main pharmacologic effects they produce; 2) list two cardiac glycosides and explain their mechanisms of actions; 3) list five antihypertensive drug classes; 4) describe the basic functions of a hormone; and 5) identify the two main classes of steroids.
Prerequisite – None

PH 230 Pharmaceutical Practice Lab
(Theory Hours 18, Lab Hours 14.5, Total Credit Hours 1)
This course focuses on the tasks required to fill a variety of prescriptions. Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to: 1) fill out forms used in ordering Schedule II-controlled drugs; 2) properly apply 5-FV topical preparations; 3) identify medication warnings associated with the use of drug classes in pregnant women; and 4) give advice to patients who have urinary obstructions regarding the anticholinergic side effects of over the counter (OTC) cold pills and other OTCs.
Prerequisite – None

PH 240 Drug Dose Calculation
(Theory Hours 18, Lab Hours 14.5, Total Credit Hours 1)
This course focuses on arithmetic principles; the metric system; weights and volumes of liquids; dosage calculations; conversions; percentage preparations; dilutions; and concentrations. Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to: 1) identify dosages measured in units; in apothecary measures, and in household measures; 2) identify scored tablets, unscored tablets, and capsules; 3) measure oral solutions using a medicine cup; and 4) measure parenteral solutions and dosages.
Prerequisite – None

PH 250 Advanced Drug Dosage Calculation
(Theory Hours 15, Lab Hours 15, Total Credit Hours 1.5)
This course focuses on the importance of dispensing pharmaceuticals appropriately. Students practice advanced drug dosage calculations. Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to: 1) prepare solutions from powdered drugs; 2) measure insulin dosages; 3) read calibrations on U-IOO insulin syringes and measure both single and combined insulin dosages; 4) read medication records; 5) use dimensional analysis to calculate dosages; and 6) calculate IV flows rates, fusion, and completion.
Prerequisite – PH 240

PH 260 Advanced Pharmacy Practice I
(Theory Hours 20, Lab Hours 10, Total Credit Hours 2)
This course focuses on the U.S. health care system, the roles of managed care, and pharmaceutical care. Emphasis is placed on legislation and regulations. Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to 1) describe the components of the U.S. health care system; 2) describe the drug approval, manufacturing, and marketing process; and 3) discuss legislation and regulation regarding the U.S. health care system.

PH 270 Advanced Pharmacy Practice II
(Theory Hours 20, Lab Hours 10, Total Credit Hours 2)
This course focuses on how pharmacy practice has expanded into long-term care; home health care; managed care; and hospice care. Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to: 1) describe the elements of a home infusion pharmacy and describe infusion devices and other delivery systems used in home infusion; 2) describe the elements of a nuclear pharmacy and describe its prescription-filling
process; and 3) explain the role of the pharmacist and the pharmacy technician in long-term care, home health care, managed care, hospice care, and nuclear federal pharmacies.
Prerequisite – PH 260

PH 280 Pharmacy Technician Certification Review
(Theory Hours 18, Lab hours 12, Total Credit Hours 1)
This course focuses on reviewing the requirements for certifications. Students will take a practice exam. Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to: 1) receive and process a medication order; 2) prepare and use a patient profile; 3) handle medications; 4) explain aseptic techniques; and 5) calculate pharmaceutical doses.
Prerequisite – None

PH 500 Pharmacy Externship
(Theory Hours 0, Lecture Hours 0, Extern Hours 160, Total Credit Hours 5)
This course is 160 hours of practical, supervised work experience in a pharmacy facility under the direction of a qualified pharmacist. Upon completion of this externship, students will be able to: 1) answer the telephone; 2) greet customers; 3) perform data entry; 4) package; 5) label; and 6) demonstrate customer service to function successfully in a pharmaceutical facility.
All courses must be completed to enroll.