This nationally recognized Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program was developed in response to a rising need for trained technicians to work in the hospital and retail pharmacy settings. In recent years, the Pharmacy Technician profession has become indispensable to the health care field. A nationwide shortage of pharmacists and a growing consumer demand for prescription medications have allowed pharmacy technicians the opportunity to play an increasingly more important role in the pharmaceutical industry. With this growing opportunity, comes increased responsibility, which has made the Pharmacy Technician Certification important for many industry employers and state legislatures. Some states now require that individuals who work as pharmacy technicians, become nationally certified. This online program is offered in partnership with Gatlin Education Services (GES).

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A pharmacy technician is an individual who, under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, assists in the performance of activities in the pharmacy department and provide health care to patients.

Pharmacy Technicians have been called pharmacy helpers, pharmacy clinicians, pharmacy support personnel and various other titles. Pharmacy technicians must have a broad knowledge of pharmacy practice and must be skilled in the techniques required to order, stock, package, and prepare medications. They do not need the advanced college education required of a licensed pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians may perform many of the same duties as a pharmacist; all of their work must be checked by a pharmacist before medication can be dispensed to a patient.

This program will prepare students for an entry-level position as a pharmacy technician. Components of the course work include medical and pharmaceutical terminology, basic anatomy related to the pharmacology of medications and pharmaceutical calculations. This program will prepare students for the National Certification Exam offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Information on applying to take the exam can be found at www.ptcb.org. George Mason University and GES do not guarantee that the Pharmacy Technician certificate program will meet all state requirements. For additional information, please contact the Board of Pharmacy in your state.

As a part of the Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program, students are required to perform clinical rotations (also called an externship). Qualifying students will have the opportunity to participate in the Walgreens' externship program (see below). If a student does not qualify for the Walgreens' externship, they must set up their own externship with a hospital or retail center. In the event that an externship can not be completed, a research project for each curriculum area will be assigned.

The curriculum consists of:

• Ethics of Pharmacy Practice and the Role of Pharmacy Technicians
• Prescription Medications
• Patient Care and Interaction
• Charges and Reimbursement
• Medical and Pharmaceutical terminology
• Pharmaceutical calculations

NEW Walgreens Pharmacy Externship with Gatlin Education Services!

Our partner Gatlin Education Services has reached a nationwide agreement with Walgreens Pharmacy. Walgreens will offer its renowned externship program to students enrolled in Gatlin's Pharmacy Technician certificate program. Walgreens will supply externs with 20 to 40 hours of hands-on experience that includes assisting pharmacists with prescriptions, answering patient questions about medications and a bevy of administrative duties. Approximately ninety percent of Walgreens externs gain employment with the pharmacy chain following completion of the program.

In order to qualify for a Walgreens externship, you will have to pass a drug screening and obtain general liability insurance. A background check and employment verification is also required. Registration for the externship program is available once a month. All required documentation must be completed and returned to GES Student Support at least ten days prior to the second Wednesday of every month in order to be eligible for placement in an externship that month.

*Disclaimer: An externship with Walgreens is not guaranteed. All students must apply to the program and complete the prerequisite criteria before being accepted into the program. Positions in the externship program are contingent on availability at each Walgreens location. Students also have the option to set up their own externship at any other retail or hospital facility or you may complete a research assignment in lieu of completing an externship.

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TOPIC HIGHLIGHTS

I. Orientation to Pharmacy

1. History
2. Hospital
3. Retail

II. Pharmacy Law and Ethics

1. Federal Law
2. State Law
3. Ethics

III. Medical and Pharmaceutical Terminology

1. Introduction to Terminology
2. Abbreviations and Calculations
3. Organs
1. Cardio
2. Endocrine
3. GI
4. Integumentary
4. Organs
1. Lymphatic
2. Muscular
3. Nervous
4. Skeletal
5. Reproductive
6. Organs
1. Respiratory
2. Urinary
3. Hearing
4. Sight

IV. Pharmaceutical Calculations

1. Roman/Arabic Systems
2. Fractions and Decimals
3. Rations and Percentages
4. Metric Measurements
5. Converting Household/Apothecary/Metric
6. Pharmacy Solutions
7. IV Flow Rates/Business Math

V. Pharmacology

1. Basic Pharmacology
2. Classifications
3. Analgesics
4. Anesthetics
5. Anti-Infectives
6. Anti-Neoplastics
7. Cardiovasculars
8. Dermatologicals
9. Electrolyte Agents
10. Gastrointestinals
11. Hormones
12. Immunobiologic Agents
13. Musculosketetals
14. Ophthalmics
15. Psychotropic Agents
16. Respiratory Agents
17. Vitamins
18. Natural Products

VI. Communication Skills

VII. Insurance and Inventory Procedures

VIII. Clinical Rotations

1. Hospital (Institutional) Pharmacy
1. 10 Hours - IV Room
1. aseptic technique
2. IV admixture
3. TPN compounding
2. 10 Hours
1. Inventory Control
2. Drug Distribution (delivery and stocking)
3. order entry
4. compounding/prepackaging
5. computers
2. Retail (Community) Pharmacy
1. 10 Hours
1. Billing
2. Inventory
3. 3-party/Insurance
4. Cash Register
2. 10 Hours
1. Dispensing Refills
2. Compounding
3. Computer Entry
4. Phone

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CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

A 70% or better must be achieved in order to receive a Certificate of Completion.

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COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of the GES Pharmacy Technician Course, the student will be able to:

• Define the differences between the hospital and retail pharmacy setting
• Demonstrate ethical conduct in all duties performed
• Understand the laws that govern pharmacy, federal and state mandated
• Interpret physician orders and prescriptions
• Prepare and distribute medications
• Define medical and pharmaceutical terms and common abbreviations
• Understand the pharmacology of medications in relation to the anatomy they affect
• Perform pharmaceutical calculations
• Communicate effectively with patients and medical professionals
• Understand the importance of confidentiality of patient information
• Process insurance billing and/or collect payments
• Control inventory
• Pass the National Certification Exam

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PDF BROCHURE

Please click here to download the PDF brochure for the Gatlin online courses offered by OCPE.

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WHO SHOULD ATTEND

In order to sit for the national certification exam, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent; therefore, it is recommended that students have this before enrolling for this program. Students should be proficient in keyboarding (approximately 35 words per minute), have a basic understanding of a word processing computer program (Microsoft Word recommended), and have a command of English grammar and punctuation. No healthcare or medical office work experience is required.

The target audiences for the Pharmacy Technician certificate program are individuals interested in learning job skills for pharmacy technician employment opportunities or individuals interested in changing job skills to become pharmacy technicians.

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Lorraine C. Zentz CPhT, M.A.

Lorraine has been a pharmacy technician since 1981. She is currently the Colorado State Coordinator for the National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA). She also holds a position with the Colorado Pharmacist Society (CPS) as the Chairman-Elect for the Technician Academy. She has been certified since 1985 and currently works in the small community hospital in her hometown of Grand Junction, Colorado. She has worked in all pharmacy arenas (retail, home health, hospital, oncology, training and education) during her pharmacy career.

She received her Bachelor's degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She also has a Master's degree in Education with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction (the design and implementation of educational materials). Lorraine is currently working on her doctorate (in Education) through the University of Wyoming. She conducts continuing education programs for technicians regionally, statewide, and nationally at the annual pharmacy technician convention.

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1. How do I register for a Gatlin online course?

Gatlin does not offer courses directly to the public. It offers courses through George Mason University and other colleges and universities. Please contact our office at 703-993-2113 or click here for more information or to register for a course.

2. How much do Gatlin online courses cost?

To view the prices for all Gatlin courses that are offered by George Mason University, please click here.

3. Why do I have to take Gatlin courses through a participating school?

That is the only way Gatlin Education Services offers its courses. They do not deal directly with the public.

4. Do I have to travel to register for or to attend a Gatlin online course?

All Gatlin courses are delivered entirely online, so you do not have to go to a class or travel to a school. Please contact our office at 703-993-2113 or click here for more information or to register for a course.

5. How long does it take to complete a Gatlin course?

All of our Gatlin courses are asynchronous. You can start and finish the course at your own pace. Most courses are designed to be completed within 180 days. You may request an extension if you think you will need more time to complete a course. Please contact us at 703-993-2113 or click here if you have any questions or if you would like to register for a course.

6. Do I have to buy additional materials?

Please refer to the green Included Materials box located on the upper right hand side of this page. If materials are included in this course, they will be shipped by Gatlin to you via UPS ground service after you have registered for a course.

7. Can I get financial aid for Gatlin courses?

George Mason University offers financial assistance through the Sallie Mae Training Loan Program for qualifying students. Call 703-993-2113 for more information. GES also provides a loan opportunity for students (www.collegeloanapplication.com).

8. What happens when I complete the course?

If you obtain a final passing grade of 70% or greater in a course, we will award you a George Mason University certificate of completion.

9. Who will be my instructor?

Each student is paired up with a George Mason University, OCPE, Gatlin facilitator for one-on-one interaction. The facilitator will be available (by e-mail or by telephone) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our facilitators are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach.

10. What are the system requirements in order to take an online course?

Please see the "PC requirements" section listed for individual courses.

11. When can I start the course?

You can register for a course at any time.

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