Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technician 1

  • Course #: 830527 | Grades:  11, 12 | Credits: One

Pharmacy Technician 1 is designed to provide students with basic skills and knowledge to begin work as a pharmacy technician. The coursework will fulfill the Virginia Board of Pharmacy requirements and prepare students for level 2. Trained, experienced pharmacy technicians who can demonstrate the right skills and knowledge, have many exciting and respected career options, and are well-positioned to pursue postsecondary study in the pharmacy field. Students must meet current health agency requirements to participate in clinical experiences. This course is part of the Claude Moore Scholars program, a healthcare education charitable foundation supporting the HMS program. HOSA, a co-curricular student organization, offers leadership, community, and competitive events opportunities. 

This course has specific state laws and regulations from a governing medical board or agency. This program will be nationally accredited and will include the minimum number of hours as follows: Didactic – 120 hours; Simulated – 50 hours; Experiential site hours totaling 130 hours outside of class time; plus 100 additional hours, to obtain the minimum of 400 hours of training total. The additional 100 hours may be allocated to the three educational modalities listed above, based on the program director's and faculty's discretion. Students conduct the clinical portion of the program in a dispensing pharmacy in Level 2. This course has specific state laws and regulations from a governing medical board or agency. Some healthcare facilities that accept federal funding (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid) may require criminal background checks and drug screens for students participating in a clinical experience. An updated immunization record will be required before the student participates in the clinical experience.

Course Topics

  • History of Pharmacy
  • Roles of the Pharmacy Technician
  • Career Paths
  • FDA, DEA, and Board of Pharmacy Regulations
  • DEA forms, Controlled Substance Procedures
  • Prescription and Label Processing
  • Medical/anatomical/Pharmaceutical Terminology
  • Generic/Brand Identification
  • Patient/Medication Safety
  • Community/Hospital Pharmacy Operations
  • Asepsis & Infection Control
  • Compounding
  • Training and Licensure Options
  • Pharmacy Calculations
  • Capsule Packing
  • Suspension and Solution Preparation
  • Reference Materials Used in Pharmacies

Notes

  • Level 1 is a 1 credit course that meets every other day and must be taken junior year to take level 2 as a senior to earn the program completion certificate.

  • Seniors who do not take level 1 as a junior may enroll in level 1 for credit only, but will not qualify to earn a completion program certificate.

  • Industry certification may be available as part of this course. This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.

Pharmacy Technician 2 HN

  • Course #: 830627 | Grades: 12 | Credits: Two/Weighted +.5

    • Prerequisite: Pharmacy Technician 1

Level 2 is designed to provide students with advanced skills and knowledge to begin work as a pharmacy technician. The coursework will fulfill the requirements of the Virginia Board of Pharmacy and prepare students to take a national examination. Trained, experienced pharmacy technicians who can demonstrate the right skills and knowledge, have many exciting and respected career options, and are well-positioned to pursue postsecondary study in the pharmacy field. Students must purchase scrubs and lab coats as appropriate and meet current health agency requirements to participate in clinical experiences. This course is part of the Claude Moore Scholars programs, a healthcare education charitable foundation supporting the HMS program. HOSA, a co-curricular student organization, offers opportunities in leadership, community, and competitive events. This course has specific state laws and regulations from a governing medical board or agency. 

This program will be nationally accredited and will include the minimum number of hours as follows: Didactic – 120 hours; Simulated – 50 hours; Experiential site hours totaling 130 hours outside of class time; plus 100 additional hours, to obtain the minimum of 400 hours of training total. The additional 100 hours may be allocated to the three educational modalities listed above, based on the program director's and faculty's discretion. This course has specific state laws and regulations from a governing medical board or agency. Some healthcare facilities that accept federal funding (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid) may require criminal background checks and drug screens for students participating in a clinical experience. An updated immunization record will be required before the student participates in the clinical experience. To pass this course and earn credit, students must complete a total of 130 clinical hours in a dispensing pharmacy. 

Available Certifications

  • American Heart Association Healthcare Provider BLS CPR w/AED
  • ASHP Pharmacy Technician Course Completion Certificate
  • With the ASHP Completion Certificate and a passing score of 80% on the EXCPT Pharmacy Technician Exam, offered by the National Healthcare Association (April/May of Level 2), students may apply for an RPhT license
  • NHA Pharmacy Technician National Certification (EXCPT) upon passing the EXCPT exam (80%)
  • Registered Pharmacy Technician (RPhT) through the Board of Pharmacy of Virginia (Students need to apply for the license/pay fees through the VA Board of Pharmacy website) 

Notes

  • The Level 2 course is two credits and meets every day for seniors only who have completed Level 1 in junior year

  • Students in this course are eligible to sit for the EXCPT Pharmacy Technician Certification provided they have a Social Security Number, a requirement by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy.

  • EXCPT Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT.) from the National Healthcare Association/One time exam fee provided for all students*

  • Industry certification may be available as part of this course. This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.

Course Topics

  • Pharmacy Careers
  • Medical Terminology & Sig Codes
  • Disease States
  • Prescription and Label Processing
  • Dosage Formulations and Routes of Administration
  • Body Systems
  • Pharmacology
  • Customer Service
  • Professional Conduct & Ethics
  • Documentation (HIPAA, OSHA Records)
  • Pharmacy Law
  • Asepsis & Infection Control
  • Compounding and IV Admixture
  • Roles of the Pharmacy Technician
  • Training and Licensure Options
  • DEA forms, Controlled Substance Procedures
  • Pharmacy Calculations
  • I.V. and Oral Syringe Measurement and Sterile Technique for I.V. Preparations
  • Capsule Packing
  • Suspension and Solution Preparation

Student Career Pathway Examples

The study of pharmacy with additional post-secondary studies may lead to these careers.

Related Careers

General Course Requisites

  • This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922
  • Approved uniforms, which may be scrubs or a lab coat, must be purchased at the direction of the instructor.
  • Students must provide proof of immunizations and TB tests.
  • Strong communication skills, good human relations skills, maturity, responsibility & honesty, and sensitivity to patient privacy.
  • Must maintain strong attendance

Additional Requirements Post Graduation and Licensing

NHA CPhT certification must be renewed every 2 years. The cost to renew CPhT certification every two years with NHA is $55.  During the two-year period prior to recertification, certified pharmacy technicians must complete at least 20 Continuing Education (CE) credits hours, at least one hour of the 20 hours must be in the category of Pharmacy Law and at least one hour of the 20 hours must be in the category of Patient Safety. CE offerings are available online through many ACPE providers.

To maintain RPhT Registration, 5 Continuing Education (CE) credits hours must be completed and renewed by December 31th on an annual basis.  Pharmacy Technicians may apply Continuing Education (CE) credit hours used on their CPhT certification renewal towards maintaining their RPhT (State) Registration.

Salary and Employment Prospects

The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $37,790 in May 2022. The projected growth for the pharmacy technician profession is:

  • $18.17 per hour, 2022 median pay
  • 25,900 new jobs, 2022-32
  • 6% projected growth, 2022-32
  • 459,600 jobs, 2022

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Pharmacy Technicians, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm (visited March 13, 2024).

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