Pharmacy Technician Course

What does a pharmacy technician do?

Pharmacy technicians have many tasks. Some include: collecting information needed to fill a prescription from customers or health professionals, packaging and labeling prescriptions for customers, and organize inventory and alert pharmacists to any shortages of medications or supplies, just to name a few.

Where do pharmacy technician work?

Pharmacy technicians often work in retail stores, hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.

Why is certification important to becoming a pharmacy technician?

Becoming certified shows your that you have obtain the proper training and skillset needed to be a pharmacy technician.

What is the job outlook for a pharmacy technician?

According to the BLS, the job outlook for a  pharmacy technician is expected to grow by 6% (faster than average) between 2022 and 2032, with 459,600 job opening annually.

This pharmacy technician course must be completed within six months. You will learn key topics, including  federal and state laws that govern pharmacies, as well as the ethics of pharmacy practice.

Module 1: Introduction & Basic Overview

• Pharmacy history
• Job basics
• Department layout
• Laws and agencies
• Reference sources

Module 2: Prescription Medications General

• Dosage forms
• Prescription containers
• Generic products
• Stock bottle labels
• Dispensing precautions

Module 3: Controlled Substances

• Schedules
• DEA numbers
• Dispensing controlled substances
• Diversion prevention
• Substance use disorder

Module 4: Dispensing Process

• Prescription requirements
• Interpreting directions
• Labeling and refills
• Delivery verification

Module 5: Pharmacy Calculations

• Systems of measurement
• Dosage calculations
• Business calculations
• Dilution and concentration

Module 6: Self-Management & Teamwork

• Emotional awareness
• Problem solving

Module 7: Patient Interaction

• Communication skills
• Professionalism

Module 8: Federal Privacy Requirements

• HIPAA and patient rights

Module 9: Managed Care Prescriptions

• Reimbursement
• Claims processing

Module 10: Nondispensing Duties

• Purchasing
• Stock management

Module 11: Drug & Medical Terminology

Module 12: Basic Anatomy & Physiology

Module 13: Basic Pharmacology

• Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
• Interactions and toxicology

Module 14: Commonly Prescribed Interventions

Module 15: Infection Control, Wellness & Disease Prevention

Modules 16–19: OTC, Compounding, and Emergency Situations

Pharmaceer Math

• Module 1 and 2: Introduction and Measurement Basics
  • Dispensing Calculations
  • Business Math
• Modules 3 and 4
  • Single Dose Calculations
  • Sterile and Nonsterile Compounding Calculations
  • Calculations for Specific Circumstances

Program Review and Certification Prep

Flashcards Top 200 drugs

To sit for the NHA ExCPT® (CPhT) pharmacy technician certification exam you must meet these requirements:

• Possess a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency; or are scheduled to earn a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency in the next 60 days
  AND
  Completed a pharmacy technician training or education program within the last 5 years

OR

• Possess a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency
  AND
  Have 1 year of work experience with at least 1,200 hours of supervised pharmacy-related work within the last 3 years

To participate in the competency activities and receive feedback from your instructor, you will need to have access to a video camera (on the phone or other device of familiarity) and be able to upload the video as an .mp4 file to the assignment pages for review. These activities are required in order to pass the course successfully.

 

This course will fully prepare you for the ExCPT® (CPhT) pharmacy technician certification offered by the National Healthcareer Association.

Fadoi Essaoudi is a foreign-trained pharmacist with several years of experience in pharmacy practice and education. She began her career managing her own pharmacy in Morocco, where she gained expertise in leadership, patient counseling, and pharmacy operations. After relocating to the United States, she became a certified pharmacy technician and expanded her experience within the U.S. healthcare system. She serves as a Pharmacy Technician Instructor at Kingsborough Community College, teaching pharmacology, pharmacy law, sterile compounding, and pharmacy calculations, while also working in retail pharmacy. She is currently pursuing pharmacist licensure in the United States and enjoys reading, walking outdoors, and spending time with her family.

Patricia Huey has been a certified pharmacy technician for 6 years, but has worked in the field for the last 14 years across multiple areas, including retail, mail-order, hospital, and infusions. In 2015, she received her Master of Education in curriculum development from DeVry University, as well as an MBA in Health Service Management in 2012. During this time, has sat for the Clinical Medical Assistant and Electronic Health Record Specialist exams in 2024 through NHA. Currently working in education, teaching future pharmacy technicians the essential knowledge and skills to be successful in their studies, as well as preparation for national certification. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, gardening, and learning new skills or knowledge.