Course Descriptions - Pharmacy Technician Asst

Introduction to Pharmacology

PHM 100

Pre-requisite: None

Co-requisite: None

PREREQUISITE: As required by program. There is an approved plan-of-instruction for this course. This course introduces the student to the role of the Pharmacy Technician in providing patient care services. Topics include pharmaceutical terms, abbreviations and symbols used in the prescribing and charting of medication, dosage forms, routes of administration of drugs, patient variables with regard to drug therapy, and equipment and systems used in parenteral administration of drugs. Upon completion, students should be able to explain the role of pharmacy technician assistants, read and interpret drug orders, describe quality assurance, and utilize pharmacy references.

Credit hours: 2
Contact hours: 2


Pharmacy Math and Terminology

PHM 101

Pre-requisite: None

Co-requisite: None

Credit hours: 2
Contact hours: 2


Pharmacology I

PHM 102

Pre-requisite: None

Co-requisite: None

PREREQUISITE: PHM 100 and/or as required by program. This course is an introduction to drug categories and usage as well as side effects of drugs. Also, prescription terminology and the top two hundred drugs, by category and name (trade and generic), are covered. Upon completion, students should be able to place major drugs into correct therapeutic categories and identify indications, side effects, and trade and generic names.

Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: 3


Pharmacology II

PHM 112

Pre-requisite: None

Co-requisite: None

PREREQUISITE: PHM 102. This course is a continuation of PHM 102. Additional drug groups are introduced, and their uses, side effects, and mechanisms of action are discussed. Upon completion, students should be able to place major drugs into correct therapeutic categories and identify indications, side effects, and trade and generic names.

Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: 3


Drugs and Health

PHM 113

Pre-requisite: None

Co-requisite: None

PREREQUISITE: PHM 100. This course emphasizes rational use of prescription and non-prescription medications. Topics include how to use licit drugs and chemical substances appropriately; development of drugs; economic factors which impact on health care; drugs and pregnancy, children, and the elderly; and the use of self-help medications for a variety of conditions. Upon completion, students should be able to perform basic supervised dispensing techniques in a variety of pharmacy settings.

Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: 3


Billings and Computers

PHM 205

Pre-requisite: None

Co-requisite: None

PREREQUISITE: As required by college PREREQUISITE: PHM 100. This course introduces students to the design, control, and planning of electronic information systems used to implement medication orders, to manage the medication distribution system, and to handle the billing for medications. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare patient charges, distribute medications, and efficiently operate computers.

Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: 5


Institutional Pharmacy

PHM 207

Pre-requisite: None

Co-requisite: None

PREREQUISITE: As required by program. PREREQUISITE: PHM 100. This course covers the development of hospitals, their place in society, and the importance and place of pharmacy in hospitals and nursing homes. Topics covered include the organization, staffing, services, legal requirements, development of institutional pharmacy departments, and interdepartmental relationships to provide comprehensive pharmacy services. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the topic discussed.

Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: 3


Pharmacy Practice

PHM 210

Pre-requisite: PHM-100(Introduction to Pharmacology) with a grade of C or higher

Co-requisite: None

PREREQUISITE: As required by program. PREREQUISITE: PHM 100 and PHM 101. This course considers all aspects of pharmacy, from retail, in-patient, and ordering, to manufacturing. Emphasis is on those aspects of pharmacy that hospital technicians would be required to perform. Topics covered include: theory and practice behind the dispensing of drugs to hospitals in-patients and ambulatory patients; demonstrating accuracy in preparing and dispensing of drugs or simulations; and aseptic technique and equipment used in a laboratory setting. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate proficiency in performing these tasks.

Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: 7


Pharmacy Technician Pract I

PHM 211

Pre-requisite: None

Co-requisite: None

PREREQUISITE: PHM 210. This course provides the student's first exposure to pharmacies and hospitals. Lecture and demonstrations in laboratory settings are utilized to acquaint the student with standard operating procedures at participating facilities. Both retail and hospital pharmacy situations and job skills are addressed. Upon completion, students should be able to apply technical skills and organization knowledge in support of pharmacists in these settings.

Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: 7


Pharmacy Technician Pract II

PHM 212

Pre-requisite: None

Co-requisite: None

PREREQUISITE: PHM 211. This course continues PHM 211 and goes one step further to take the student out of the theoretical laboratory and into the actual job experience. Additional experience under the supervision of pharmacists will demonstrate accuracy through clinical evaluation in the hospital and retail pharmacy settings in pouring, compounding, packaging, and labeling and dispensing of drugs to patients. Upon completion, students should be able to provide technical assistance and support to retail and hospital pharmacists.

Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: 9