Pharmacy Technician Essentials

MedCerts via Coursera

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/pharmacy-technician-essentials

Introduction

Understand the primary functions of different pharmacy organizations

Understand the different roles of the pharmacy technician

Understand the common drugs and their uses, drug routes and formulations, and factors affecting drug activity

Understand pharmacy management software, as well as reading and interpreting prescriptions

Syllabus

Module 1

Become acquainted with various pharmacy settings from the hospital to the community retail pharmacy to mail order drug distribution and the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of these settings.

Module 2

Gain an understanding of the basic aptitudes and personal attributes that are needed for a successful Pharmacy Technician; the daily job duties and responsibilities, as well as training, competency testing and performance measures. Additionally, review common medical terminology, drug classifications and abbreviations used in the pharmacy, and the body systems and their common disorders that are treated with medication.

Module 3

Learn about how drugs are developed, patented and named, understand drug classes, drug reference books, and common medications and their uses. Additionally, gain an understanding of the different forms that drugs are dispensed in (tablet, powder, solutions, syrups, etc.) and the various routes of administration (oral, dermal, parenteral, etc.).

Module 4

Become acquainted with the various tools and equipment used in a pharmacy setting to weigh, mix, count, and dispense medication. Additionally, gain an awareness of working with computers and software programs within the pharmacy setting and the different fields utilized to fill a prescription and run basic reports. The goal is not to master any specific software but to understand overall functionality.