Program Title: Pharmacy Technician Career Studies Certificate Program

(CSC)

Program Description: The Pharmacy Technician Career Studies Certificate program is

designed to prepare students to assist and support licensed pharmacists in providing health care
and medications to patients. Students will obtain a broad knowledge of pharmacy practice and be
skilled in the techniques required to order, stock, and package, prepare, and dispense medications
under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Program graduates will be eligible to take the
Virginia Pharmacy Technician Exam and the National Pharmacy Technician Certification
Examination.

Financial Aid Approved: ☒Yes ☐No

Leads to Industry Certification: ☒Yes ☐No
Name of Industry Certification/s: Virginia Pharmacy Technician Exam and the national
Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination.

Format: ☒Face to Face ☒On-Line ☒Hybrid

Course Course Title Credits Prerequisite

Number
HLT 143 Medical Terminology 3 None
HLT 144 Medical Terminology 3 HLT
143/Recommended
HLT 261 Basic Pharmacy I 3 None
HLT 262 Basic Pharmacy I lab 1 HLT 250, HLT 261,
HLT 263
HLT 263 Basic Pharmacy 2 3 HLT 250, HLT 261,
HLT 262
HLT 290 Internship for Clinical Practice 4 Admission into
program
TOTAL CREDITS 17

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Course Name: HLT 143 – Medical Terminology
Number of Credit hours: 3
Number of Lecture Hours: 3
Number of Clinical Hours: 0
Number of Lab Hours: 0
Total Number of Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites Required: None
Co-requisites Required: None

Course Description:
Provides an understanding of medical abbreviations and terms. Includes the study of prefixes,
suffixes, word stems, and technical terms with emphasis on proper spelling, pronunciation, and
usage. Emphasizes more complex skills and techniques in understanding medical terminology.
Part I of II.

Textbook and References recommendation:

To Be Determined.

General Education Core Competencies Supported by this Course

After completion of this course, students will be able to:

Communication:
A competent communicator can interact with others using all forms of communication, resulting
in understanding and being understood.

Critical Thinking:
A competent critical thinker evaluates evidence carefully and applies reasoning to decide what to
believe and how to act.

Personal Development:
An individual engaged in personal development strives for physical well-being and emotional
maturity.

Scientific Reasoning:
A person who is competent in scientific reasoning adheres to a self-correcting system of inquiry
(the scientific method) and relies on empirical evidence to describe, understand, predict, and
control natural phenomena.

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Pharmacy Tech CSC
Measurable Learning Outcomes
After completion of this course, students will be able to:

 Define structural elements of medical terms and their literal meanings.

 Accurately pronounce medical terms and orally read and process medical documents.
 Convert and match lay terminology to medical terminology.
 Identify medical terms as they relate to human anatomy and physiology.
 Define and correctly spell terms related to pathological conditions of each body system.

Topics Covered in this Course

 Basic Word Structure
 Terms Pertaining to the Body as a Whole
 Suffixes and Prefixes
 Digestive System
 Urinary System
 Female and Male Reproductive System
 CVS System
 Cancer Medicine

Methods of Assessment Used in this Course

Direct Assessments
 ☒Tests/Exams/Quizzes
 ☒Essays

Indirect Assessments
 ☒Participation points awarded

Other Assessments
 ☒Homework

Methods of Delivery
 ☒Face-to-Face
 ☒Online
 ☒Hybrid

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Pharmacy Tech CSC
Course Name: HLT 144 – Medical Terminology II
Number of Credit hours: 3
Number of Lecture Hours: 3
Number of Clinical Hours: 0
Number of Lab Hours: 0
Total Number of Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites Required: HLT 143 - Recommended
Co-requisites Required: None

Course Description:
Provides an understanding of medical abbreviations and terms. Includes the study of prefixes,
suffixes, word stems, and technical terms with emphasis on proper spelling, pronunciation, and
usage. Emphasizes more complex skills and techniques in understanding medical terminology.
Part II of II.

Textbook and References recommendation:

To Be Determined.

General Education Core Competencies Supported by this Course

After completion of this course, students will be able to:

Communication:
A competent communicator can interact with others using all forms of communication, resulting
in understanding and being understood.

Critical Thinking:
A competent critical thinker evaluates evidence carefully and applies reasoning to decide what to
believe and how to act.

Personal Development:
An individual engaged in personal development strives for physical well-being and emotional
maturity.

Scientific Reasoning:
A person who is competent in scientific reasoning adheres to a self-correcting system of inquiry
(the scientific method) and relies on empirical evidence to describe, understand, predict, and
control natural phenomena.

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Pharmacy Tech CSC
Measurable Learning Outcomes
After completion of this course, students will be able to:

 Define structural elements of medical terms and their literal meanings.

 Pronounce accurately medical terms and orally read and process medical documents.
 Convert and match lay terminology to medical terminology.
 Explain medical terms as they relate to human anatomy and physiology.
 Define and correctly spell terms related to pathological conditions of each body system.

Topics Covered in this Course

 Nervous System
 Respiratory System
 Blood Stream
 Lymphatic and Immune System
 The Eye and Ear
 Endocrine System
 Pharmacology
 Psychiatry

Methods of Assessment Used in this Course

Direct Assessments
 ☒Tests/Exams/Quizzes
 ☒Essays

Indirect Assessments
 ☒Participation points awarded

Other Assessments
 ☒Homework

Methods of Delivery
 ☒Face-to-Face
 ☒Online

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Pharmacy Tech CSC
Course Name: HLT 261 – Basic Pharmacy I
Number of Credit hours: 3
Number of Lecture Hours: 3
Number of Clinical Hours: 0
Number of Lab Hours: 0
Total Number of Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites Required: None
Co-requisites Required: None

Course Description:
Explores the basics of general pharmacy, reading prescriptions, symbols, packages, pharmacy
calculations. Teaches measuring compounds of drugs, dosage forms, drug laws, and drug
classifications. Part I of II.

Textbook and References recommendation:

To Be Determined.

General Education Core Competencies Supported by this Course

After completion of this course, students will be able to:

Communication:
A competent communicator can interact with others using all forms of communication, resulting
in understanding and being understood.

Critical Thinking:
A competent critical thinker evaluates evidence carefully and applies reasoning to decide what to
believe and how to act.

Information Literacy:
A person who is competent in information literacy recognizes when information is needed and
has the ability to locate, evaluate, and use it effectively.

Quantitative Reasoning:
A person who is competent in quantitative reasoning possesses the skills and knowledge
necessary to apply the use of logic, numbers, and mathematics to deal effectively with common
problems and issues. A person who is quantitatively literate can use numerical, geometric, and
measurement data and concepts, mathematical skills, and principles of mathematical reasoning to
draw logical conclusions and to make well-reasoned decisions.

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Pharmacy Tech CSC
Scientific Reasoning:
A person who is competent in scientific reasoning adheres to a self-correcting system of inquiry
(the scientific method) and relies on empirical evidence to describe, understand, predict, and
control natural phenomena.

Measurable Learning Outcomes

After completion of this course, students will be able to:

 Describe the various cultural origins of pharmacy and their impact on the profession
today.
 Differentiate the major roles and responsibilities of the pharmacist and the pharmacy
technician.
 Identify the roles of government regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug
Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration and the National and State Board of
Pharmacy.
 Define licensure, registration and certification as it relates to the pharmacy technician.
 Identify the parts of the prescription and most commonly used abbreviations.
 Identify dosage formulations and the advantages and disadvantages of each form.
 Define medication errors and their effects on patient health and safety.
 Identify procedures to minimize contamination during the compounding of non-sterile
preparations.
 Identify the roles and responsibilities of the pharmacy technician and limitations
according to state and federal law.
 Define the regulatory role of the State Board of Pharmacy.

Topics Covered in this Course

 Principles of Pharmacy Practice
 The Profession of Pharmacy
 Pharmacy Law, Regulations and Standards
 Drug Development
 Routes of Drug Administration and Dosage Formulations
 Pharmaceutical Measurements and Calculations
 Community Pharmacy
 Dispensing Medications in the Community Pharmacy
 The Business of Community Pharmacy
 Nonsterile Pharmaceutical Compounding
 Institutional Pharmacy
 Hospital Pharmacy Practice
 Infection Control
 Professionalism in the Pharmacy
 Medication Safety
 Human Relations and Communication
 Your Future in Pharmacy Practice

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Pharmacy Tech CSC
Methods of Assessment Used in this Course
Direct Assessments
 ☒Tests/Exams/Quizzes
 ☒Demonstrations, presentations

Indirect Assessments
 ☒Participation points awarded

Other Assessments

Methods of Delivery
 ☒Face-to-Face

Course Name: HLT 262 – Basic Pharmacy I Lab

Number of Credit hours: 1
Number of Lecture Hours: 1
Number of Clinical Hours: 0
Number of Lab Hours: 3
Total Number of Contact Hours: 1
Prerequisites Required: Admission to Pharmacy Technician program
Co-requisites Required: HLT 250, 261 and 262

Course Description:
Provides practical experience to supplement instruction in HLT 261-262. Should be taken
concurrently with HLT 261-262, in appropriate curricula, as identified by the college. Part I of II.
Laboratory 3 hours per week.

Textbook and References recommendation:

To Be Determined.

Measurable Learning Outcomes

After completion of this course, students will be able to:

 Describe the roles and responsibilities of the pharmacy technician in different pharmacy
settings.
 Demonstrate knowledge of aseptic technique and compounding.
 Perform mathematical conversions and calculations.

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Pharmacy Tech CSC
Topics Covered in this Course
 Retail Ambulatory Pharmacy
 Inpatient Pharmacy
 Extemporaneous Compounding
 Aseptic Technique and IV Compounding
 Communication in the Pharmacy
 Ethics and Law
 Essential Technician Skills and Drug Product Knowledge
 Pharmacy Office

Methods of Assessment Used in this Course

Direct Assessments
 ☒Tests/Exams/Quizzes

Indirect Assessments
 ☒Participation points awarded

Other Assessments

Methods of Delivery
 ☒Online

Course Name: HLT 263 – Basic Pharmacy II

Number of Credit hours: 3
Number of Lecture Hours: 3
Number of Clinical Hours: 0
Number of Lab Hours: 0
Total Number of Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites Required: Admission into the program
Co-requisites Required: HLT 250, HLT 261, HLT 262

Course Description:
Explores the basics of general pharmacy, reading prescriptions, symbols, packages and pharmacy
calculations. Teaches measuring compounds of drugs, dosage forms, drug laws, and drug
classifications. Part II of II.

Textbook and References recommendation:

To Be Determined.

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Pharmacy Tech CSC
General Education Core Competencies Supported by this Course
After completion of this course, students will be able to:

Communication:
A competent communicator can interact with others using all forms of communication, resulting
in understanding and being understood.

Critical Thinking:
A competent critical thinker evaluates evidence carefully and applies reasoning to decide what to
believe and how to act.

Information Literacy:
A person who is competent in information literacy recognizes when information is needed and
has the ability to locate, evaluate, and use it effectively.

Measurable Learning Outcomes

After completion of this course, students will be able to:

 Define the classification and functions of a hospital and its organizational framework.
 Describe the unit dose dispensing system and the unit dose cart used in hospital pharmacy
practice.
 Identify the role and function of equipment used in intravenous preparation and
administration including syringes, needles, intravenous sets, catheters, infusion pumps
and filters.
 Describe specialty services, such as intravenous admixtures and total parenteral nutrition.
 Identify the USP Chapter <797> guidelines for sterile compounding aseptic technique.
 Apply contamination risk level designations and appropriate beyond-use dating for
compounded sterile preparations.
 Describe the extent of medical and medication errors and their effects on patient health
and safety.
 Define strategies, including the use of automation, for preventing medication errors.
 Identify and discuss the important areas of the regulations of the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
 Describe and contrast the format and content of the PTCE and ExCPT.

Topics Covered in this Course

 Institutional Pharmacy
 Community Pharmacy
 Professionalism in Pharmacy
 Human Relations and Communications

Methods of Assessment Used in this Course

Direct Assessments
 ☒Tests/Exams/Quizzes

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  ☒Projects
 ☒Demonstrations, presentations

Indirect Assessments

Other Assessments

Methods of Delivery
 ☒Face-to-Face

Course Name: HLT 290 – Internship for Clinical Practice

Number of Credit hours: 3
Number of Lecture Hours: 3
Number of Clinical Hours: 0
Number of Lab Hours: 0
Total Number of Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites Required: Admission into the program
Co-requisites Required: None
Course Description:
Supervises on-the-job training in selected business, industrial or service firms coordinated by the
college.
Textbook and References recommendation:
To Be Determined.

General Education Core Competencies Supported by this Course

After completion of this course, students will be able to:

Communication:
A competent communicator can interact with others using all forms of communication, resulting
in understanding and being understood.

Critical Thinking:
A competent critical thinker evaluates evidence carefully and applies reasoning to decide what to
believe and how to act.

Information Literacy:
A person who is competent in information literacy recognizes when information is needed and
has the ability to locate, evaluate, and use it effectively.

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Measurable Learning Outcomes
After completion of this course, students will be able to:

 Assist the pharmacist in collecting, organizing, and evaluating information for direct
patient care and medication use review.
 Receive and screen prescriptions/medication orders for completeness and authenticity.
 Prepare medication for distribution according to state and federal laws.
 Demonstrate knowledge of patient confidentiality.
 Maintain an appropriate image for the profession of pharmacy.

Topics Covered in this Course

 Medication Preparation
 Medication Dispensing
 Medication Inventory Management
 Pharmaceutical Equipment

Methods of Assessment Used in this Course

Direct Assessments
 ☒Tests/Exams/Quizzes
 ☒Demonstrations, presentations

Indirect Assessments

Other Assessments

Methods of Delivery
 ☒Face-to-Face

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

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