Pharmacy Technician College Credit Certificate

The healthcare sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in Central Florida, and with our growing population of retirees, there’s a need for pharmacy technicians. Train and learn to master the basic technical skills, theoretical skills, concepts and functions needed to thrive in this rewarding career.

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Getting Started: 12-Week Session

Jan. 2:  Financial Aid


Jan. 22:  Application


Jan. 29:  Classes Begin

Other Important Dates »

Why Seminole State?

  • Dedicated faculty: Faculty are "scholar-practitioners" with industry experience as well as academic credentials.  
  • Affordable tuition: Seminole State has significantly lower costs than Florida's universities.
  • Industry involvement: Our industry-focused certificate programs offer excellent connections to Central Florida employers.
  • Hands-on experience: Practical, hands-on learning experiences prepare students to apply their knowledge to real-world situations.
  • Continuing education: Many credits earned in certificate programs can be applied toward an Associate in Science (A.S.) or bachelor's degree at Seminole State. 
  • Career advancement: Graduates are prepared for immediate entry into the workforce upon certificate completion.

Additional Information

Pharmacy Technician
Type: College Credit Certificate
Major Code: PHARM-ATD
CIP: 0351080503

Program Description

Program Admission

Available Course Course Not Offered Summer 2024
Students must complete all Required PTN Prefix Courses with a grade of "C" or higher.
This is an introductory course to the language of medicine utilized by healthcare professionals. Basic word structure and formation, medical terms, abbreviations, definitions and spelling are included. Major disease processes and pathological conditions of specific body systems will be discussed.
This course is designed to provide the student with an overall understanding and orientation to the field of pharmacy technology. Included in the course is an overview and historical development of pharmacy and the healthcare delivery system. It will introduce the student to the organizational structure and function of the pharmacy in various areas, such as retail, hospital, nursing home and home health care. Included in the course is the use of computer applications in processing pharmacy prescription data, discussion of medical-legal concepts as they relate to the practice of the pharmacy technician and understanding how communication skills are linked to customer care and routine inquiries. The ethical challenges in the pharmacy practice will be discussed. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course is the first part of a two-semester course that will include a study of the introduction to pharmacology, biological factors affecting the action of drugs and the various medications prescribed for the treatment of selected illnesses and diseases. Emphasis will be on sources, classifications, strengths, indications, dosages, side effects, precautions of medications and alternative and complementary therapy. The course is designed to include a study of anti-infective drugs, the nervous system, the musculoskeletal system, pain and inflammatory agents. Emphasis will be placed on medication effects on the nervous system, local anesthetics, antiepileptics, antiparkinson, narcotics, analgesics, anti-inflammatory, and antipsychotic drugs. This course will discuss special considerations for therapeutic agents administered throughout the lifespan. This course will introduce the top 200 prescription drugs. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course is the second part of a two-semester course that will continue the study of the introduction to pharmacology, biological factors affecting the action of drugs and the various medications prescribed for treatment of selected illnesses and diseases. This course will be a comprehensive overview of current medications dispensed by classes, their effects on body systems, indications, side effects, dosages and contraindications. The course will include a study of integumentary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, urinary, respiratory, reproductive, endocrine systems, cancer drugs and chemotherapy. Emphasis will be placed on antianginal, hypolipidemic, anticoagulants, antihypertensive, antacids, diuretics, antihistamines, bronchodilators, hormonal drugs, antidiabetic, musculoskeletal and joint diseases, cytotoxic drug and blood modifiers. Also, in this course, the student will learn about how the body uses vitamins and electrolytes and available antidotes to treat poisoning. This course will continue the topic on the top 200 prescription drugs. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course is equipped to introduce the student to advanced pharmacy practice in the United States, including the function of different nontraditional pharmacies such as long-term care, home health care, home infusion pharmacy, hospice pharmacy, and other specialty pharmacy such as nuclear pharmacy, and veterinary pharmacy. In this course, the administrative aspects, and applications involved in working in these pharmacy setting is covered. Other subjects covered in this course include pharmaceutical care services in advanced pharmacy practices, and laws and policies that apply will be discussed. This course will provide advanced understanding of the pharmacy formulary system, computer applications in drug use control, pharmacy inventory management, and pharmacy management elements. In this course, students practice the techniques and strategies to maximize the medication safety in pharmacy practice. It will allow the student to identify the element of patient profiles and the process of handling medications. It will also provide a strong focus on records management, inventory control, compensation and methods of payment for pharmacy services. This course will introduce a pharmacy software program used in data entry. Also, this course provides the student with federal and state medical and legal consideration in the various pharmacy settings. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course is designed to provide students with practical, hands-on experience in the pharmacy lab. Designed for students to practice and acquire various skills learned in the pharmacy technician program under the direct supervision of the pharmacy instructor. Student skills will be checked off as they are mastered including, but not limited to, receiving, interpreting, and preparing compounding prescriptions for outpatient practice setting, pharmaceutical calculations, identification of selected equipment used, compounding environment, record keeping, extemporaneous repackaging, formulation record and how to complete master formula. Students also learn about inventory control systems, individual unit doses and patient information/profile systems, proper common compounding medication, labeling, and dispensing techniques. This course will also allow students to learn about the content of USP chapter 795 and how to apply them in the compounding preparation. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
In this course students will be introduced to pharmaceutical calculations. Subjects covered include systems of measurements and conversions between each, actual pharmaceutical calculations of drug dosages, demonstrate ability to use common pharmaceutical volume measurement equipment, measurement of time, temperature, capacity and mass/weight and calculation of ratios, proportion and percentage. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course is designed to introduce the student to the professional aspects of working in pharmacy technology. Subjects covered include pharmaceutical medical terminology and medical abbreviations used on prescriptions and orders (Added) as related to pharmacy practice. It will provide the student with the necessary skills needed to perform operational duties to demonstrate the applications in processing pharmacy prescription data and maintain pharmacy records. It will also provide the student with the necessary skills to recognize and practice infection control, safety, and security procedures and to identify methods in medical error reduction and prevention in the pharmacy practice. The course also covers overall understanding of dosages forms, compounding sterile and non-sterile medication. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course will include a study of intravenous delivery of therapy in the hospital setting as well as other therapies to include arterial, epidural and intrathecal. It will focus on patients and their clinical needs, physician treatment plans and collaboration with other healthcare providers. The foundation of infusion therapy will be discussed, including anatomy, physiology, systems for administering parenteral production, reconstituting parenteral medications and infection control, inpatient practice setting, pharmaceutical calculations review, complications of intravenous therapy and mechanism of actions, clinical indications, pharmacokinetics, contraindications and side effects of selected intravenous medications, and IV Admixture of large volume, IV Piggyback and syringe doses, nutritional preparations and preparation of chemotherapeutic agents using proper safety techniques and using the laminar hood. Treatment modalities will include parental fluids and pharmacologic agents. Legal and ethical aspects of infusion practice will also be reviewed. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course provides the pharmacy technician student the opportunity to apply pharmaceutical knowledge and techniques learned in the classroom setting in a safe and competent manner under the direction of a pharmacist. Students will be expected to gain experiences in assisting the pharmacist in serving patients, maintaining medications, inventory control and participating in the administration and management of a pharmacy practice at a pharmacy setting. Students will gain exposure to on-the-job experience and training in the pharmacy setting and practical application of pharmacy skills and gain experience in all aspects of drug preparation and distribution utilized by participating sites. This course also prepares students for the national certification exam. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course provides an introductory study of computer and Internet concepts and online web applications. It teaches important computer and digital technology concepts, skills and issues necessary to succeed in careers and in life. Students completing this course will have a solid understanding of computer hardware, software and network fundamentals in addition to learning effective use of social media, online office web applications, collaboration, email and the Internet to aid them with college studies and workforce readiness. This course utilizes lectures and hands-on computer exercises. No prior experience with computers is assumed. Lab fee required.
This is an introductory course in computer applications that focuses on the effective use of word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software programs. Students will gain a fundamental knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 and learn skills that have practical applications in real world business situations. This course utilizes lectures and hands-on computer exercises. Lab fee required.
This is a course in the process of expository writing. Students will compose essays that are unified, organized, logically developed and supported, clearly stated, and well-focused. The analysis of texts and vetting of information will help inform student writing. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Communications requirement for degree seeking students.
Total Credits: 40

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Tuition and Fees

 Technical Certificate12 Credits18 Credits24 Credits28 Credits
Tuition and Fees$1,253$1,879$2,505$2,923
Books and Supplies$1,000$1,ooo$1,000$1,000
Total$2,253$2,879$3,505$3,923

For more information on Seminole State's tuition and fees, please see the current fee schedule.

* Tuition costs are based on the current term, with an equal number of credit hours per term for in-state students. Lab fees and other fees that may be assessed at the time of registration may be viewed in the College fee schedule. As Seminole State is a commuter college with no residence halls on its campuses, costs for room and board are not calculated.