A.T.D., Pharmacy Technician

Diploma Type: A.T.D.
Major Code: PHARM-ATD
CIP: 0351080503

The Pharmacy Technician Applied Technology Diploma program is designed to train students in developing and mastering basic technical skills, theoretical concepts and clerical functions in the operation of a pharmacy. Graduates of this program will work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist while compounding (measure/weigh/mix) medicinal drugs, preparing and labeling medicines; filling bottles and vials with the correct quantity of medicine; issuing medicines to the customers; maintaining inventory; keeping patient's medication profiles on specified records, forms or computerized systems; collecting, organizing and evaluating information for direct patient care, medication review, and department management. Upon successful completion of this program, graduates are awarded an applied technology diploma and will be eligible to apply for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Examination (CPhT). Graduates are prepared for entry level employment in hospitals, long-term care facilities, drug stores, drug manufactures, wholesale drug houses and health maintenance organizations.

Students must be eligible to enroll in ENC1101 and MAT1033 (or a higher level MAC course) prior to starting the core pharmacy technician courses.

State Boards have a responsibility to protect the public. In carrying out this responsibility, the Board of Pharmacy reserves the right to deny licensure to anyone who has been convicted of a crime other than minor traffic violations. Pursuant to Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes, the Florida Board of Pharmacy shall refuse to issue a license, certification or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant has been:

• Convicted or plead guilty or nolo contendre (no contest) to a felony violation regardless of adjudication of chapters 409, 817 or 893, Florida Statutes; or 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 or 42 U.S.C. ss 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any probation or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the application.
• Terminated for cause from Florida Medicaid Program (unless the applicant has been in good standing for the most recent five years.)
• Terminated for cause by any other State Medicaid Program or the Medicare Program (unless the termination was at least 20 years prior to the date of the application and the applicant has been in good standing with the program for the most recent five years).

All students entering a healthcare program with a clinical component are required to complete a criminal background check. Students must be free of offenses which could potentially disqualify them from working in a healthcare environment (Florida Statutes 456.0635, 435.04 and 316.193). Admission into clinicals is at the discretion of the clinical agencies. Students applying for admission to the program are required to complete a drug screening and an FBI criminal background check including:

• Online check of the Office of the Inspector General related to parties excluded from participation in Medicare/Medical and all federal healthcare programs.
• Online search of U.S. General Services Administration of parties excluded from federal procurements and non-procurements programs.

Major Courses
PTN1001	Introduction into Pharmacy Technology 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 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 this course is the use of pharmaceutical medical terminology and abbreviations used on prescriptions, computer applications in processing pharmacy prescription data, discussion of medical legal concepts as they relate to the practice of the pharmacy technician and demonstration of telephone communication skills and routine inquiries. Students will examine the preparation and utilization of patient profiles and prepare and deliver medications.	3
PTN1121	Pharmacology I This course will include a 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. Emphasis will be on source, classifications, strengths, indications, dosages, side effects and precautions of medications. The course is designed to include a study of vitamins, minerals, anti-infective drugs, alternative medicines, nervous system and pain and inflammatory agents. Emphasis will be placed on medication effects on the nervous system, skeletal muscle relaxants, local anesthetics, antiepileptics, antiparkinson, narcotics analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. This course will discuss special considerations for therapeutic agents administered throughout the lifespan.	3
PTN1122	Pharmacology II This course will be a comprehensive overview of current medications dispensed by classes, their effects on different body systems, indications, side effects, dosages, and contraindications. The course will include a study of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, urinary, endocrine, and respiratory systems. Emphasis will be placed on antianginal, hypolididemic, anticoagulants, antihypertensive, antacids, diuretics, hypoglycemics, antihistaminics, bronchodilators, antipsychotics drugs and blood modifiers.	3
PTN1131	Concepts in Pharmacy Technology This course is equipped to introduce the student with an overall understanding of the administrative aspects and applications involved in working in a pharmacy. Subjects covered in this course include interpretation and evaluation of prescription orders, pharmaceutical dosage forms and materials management of pharmaceuticals. This course will introduce the student to the pharmacy formulary system, computer applications in drug use control, receiving and processing medication orders and medication errors. It will allow the student to prepare and utilize patient profiles, handle medications and store and deliver drug products. It will also provide a strong focus on records management, inventory control and compensation and methods of payment for pharmacy services.	3
PTN1131L	Concepts in Pharmacy Technology Lab In this course various aspects and hands-on applications are demonstrated and practiced, including the practice of proper compounding and dispensing techniques, counting oral medication, prescription filling process in a mail order pharmacy, labeling with required information and use of individual unit doses in appropriate containers and repackaging in predetermined quantities. This course will also allow students to identify selected home medical equipment and prepare electronic purchase orders and maintain stock inventory. This course will introduce a pharmacy software program used in the data entry labs. Lab fee required.	2
PTN1705C	Pharmaceutics and Calculation 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. Lab fee required.	3
PTN1734C	Pharmacy Operations 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 as related to community 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. Lab fee required.	3
PTN1945C	Pharmacy Technician Practicum I 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 (160 hours). Students will be expected to gain experiences in either a hospital pharmacy or a community (retail) setting. Students will gain exposure to on-the-job experience and training in the pharmacy setting and practical application of pharmacy skills and gaining experience in all aspects of drug preparation and distribution utilized by participating sites. Lab fee required.	4
PTN1947L	Pharmacy Technician Applications 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 filling of prescriptions/medication orders for the inpatient and outpatient practice setting, pharmaceutical calculations review and IV Admixture of large volume, IV Piggyback and syringe doses using the laminar flow hood, inventory control systems and patient information/profile systems. Skill competencies assigned by the instructor must be completed to pass the course. Lab fee required.	3
PTN1948C	Basic Home Infusion Pharmacy This course will include a study of intravenous delivery of therapy in the home 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 products, reconstituting parenteral medications and infection control. Treatment modalities will include parenteral fluids, pharmacologic agents, nutritional solutions and preparation of chemotherapeutic agents using proper safety techniques. Legal and ethical aspects of infusion practice will also be reviewed. Lab fee required.	3
Electives		4
MAT1033	Intermediate Algebra This is an intermediate course in formal algebra for students without a strong background in algebra. Topics include sets, the real number system and number properties, absolute value, products and factoring, algebraic fractions, linear and quadratic equations and inequalities with applications, systems of equations, radicals, rational exponents, graphs and relations and functions (four elective credits).	4
or
MAC1105	College Algebra This course is a study of the fundamental topics in advanced algebra with emphasis on applications, the understanding of the function concept and manipulative skills. Major topics include operations on algebraic expressions and complex numbers; solving polynomial equations and inequalities, absolute value equations and inequalities and rational equations and inequalities; applications; functions; exponents and logarithms; graphs of polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions and systems of equations and inequalities. The use of graphing calculators will be incorporated throughout the course. This course partially satisfies the mathematics requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.	3
or higher level MAC prefix course
and
PTN1931	Selected Studies in Pharmacy Technician In this course topics of current interest are presented in group instruction.	1
General Education Courses
ENC1101	English I This is a course in the process of expository writing. Students will read essays and compose papers that are unified, organized, logically developed and supported, clearly stated and well-focused. Research techniques are introduced and incorporated into at least one composition. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. Students must pass the core assignments with a grade of "C" or higher.	3
BSC1020	Human Biology This course provides an introduction to scientific inquiry in relationship to the human body, its systems and basic functions with emphasis on homeostatic mechanisms. The structure and function of cells, tissues and organ systems will be investigated. Designed for non-science majors. This course does not fulfill the credit requirements for Biology majors.	3
or
BSC2093C	Anatomy and Physiology I This is the first part of a two-semester course that investigates in detail the structure and function of humans. The course is primarily designed for students of healthcare professions, biology or physical education. We will utilize a "system" approach, examining each organ system at the cellular, tissue, organ and system levels and discuss interactions with other systems. Emphasis will be placed on the homeostatic rather than the dysfunctional individual. Lab fee required.	4
and
BSC2094C	Anatomy and Physiology II This course is the second part of a two-semester course that investigates the structure and function of humans. The course is designed for students of healthcare professions, biology or physical education. We utilize a "systems" approach, examining each organ system at the cellular, tissue, organ and system levels and discuss interactions with other systems. Emphasis will be placed on homeostatic rather than dysfunctional individuals. Lab fee required.	4
Total Credits:		40