Pharmacy Technician

Independent Study

Northwestern Michigan College offers a course, Fundamentals of the Pharmacy Technician, to introduce students to the skills and responsibilities of the Pharmacy Technician.  This independent study includes training and testing via an online format and textbook with independent projects and homework to prepare the entry level Pharmacy Technician.  Some testing will be required on campus.  Body systems and disorders related to those body systems are discussed.  Students will learn how to perform dosage calculations, prescription pricing, and interpret medication orders.  The value of obtaining technician certification and the benefits of state, local and national involvement will also be addressed.  Upon successful completion of the course, students will have the basic foundation to begin preparing for the national certification exam.  Practical work experience is also recommended to continue preparation for certification.

The Course Outcomes include:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the pharmacy practice
• Understand body systems
• Describe body system disorders
• Perform calculations necessary for the pharmacy practice
• Understand the Pharmacy Technician certification process
• Discuss the importance of state, local, and national involvement in Pharmacy Technician issues

Becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) will allow the Pharmacy Technician advancement opportunities in the Pharmacy and the Pharmaceutical Industry. Certified Pharmacy Technicians work in a practice setting under the guidance of a pharmacist.  The responsibilities of a CPhT will vary based on their practice settings which may include hospitals, community pharmacies, long-term care, and in-home health care.

The CPhT may provide assistance to the Pharmacist by:

• labeling and filling prescriptions
• entering prescriptions into the computer
• verifying the prescriptions are delivered to the right customer in a timely manner
• replenishing and checking all medications and expiration dates in various drug kits and trays according to approved list of contents
• ordering and stocking medications
• working with insurance carriers to obtain payments and refilling authority
• preparing medication inventories
• answering questions and resolving problems for issues concerning pharmacy operations
• assisting in outpatient or inpatient dispensing
• preparing IV mixtures

Prerequisites

The Fundamentals of the Pharmacy Technician class is a 4 credit independent study offered through the Department of Allied Health at Northwestern Michigan College.  To be eligible a candidate must meet the minimum COMPASS or ACT Test score requirements as follows:

1. Reading — 82 or above. If lower, students must take ENG 108 - Reading & Learning Strategies.
• Students who transfer a degree do not need to take the reading part of the COMPASS test.
2. Writing — 70 or above...If lower, must take ENG 99 - Intro. Col. Reading/Writing or ENG 111 - English Composition and ENG 11 - English/Writing Methods.
• Students who transfer ENG 111 do not need to take the writing part of the Compass test.
3. Math — 66 or above in Algebra......Students must place into MTH 121 -College Algebra. If not, students must take MTH 111 - Intermediate Algebra.
• Students who transfer a MTH 111 - Intermediate Algebra course that was taken within the last 5 years DO NOT need to take the math part of the COMPASS test. Students who transfer MTH 111 that was taken more than 5 years ago may take the COMPASS test and demonstrate current math skills by placing into MTH 121.
4. ACT of 19 for Reading and Writing
    ACT of 24 on Math part of ACT

Application and Registration Procedures

1. Apply to Northwestern Michigan College. You can do that online through the link to the Admissions Dept at: www.nmc.edu/admissions
2. Complete the COMPASS placement test.  Students who transfer a MTH 111 - Intermediate Algebra course that was taken within the last 5 years DO NOT need to take the math part of the COMPASS test. Students who transfer MTH 111 that was taken more than 5 years ago may take the COMPASS test and demonstrate current math skills by placing into MTH 121.
   If you are new to NMC, Orientation and testing procedures/dates can be found at www.nmc.edu/counseling/orientation
   Careers & Employment Services offers walk-in testing, Monday through Friday, between 8:15 A.M. and 2:30 P.M. in Career and Employment Services located in the Osterlin Library.  Call (231) 995-1041 if you have questions.
3. Notify Laura Schmidt in the Health Occupations Discipline by email at lschmidt@nmc.edu or by phone at 231-995-1245 when the COMPASS test has been completed.
4. Once all prerequisites have been met, the student will be notified via email to his/her mbx account.  At that time, the student will be instructed to request the course Independent Study Form from the Office Manager in the Health Occupations office by calling 231-995-1235, emailing mfox@nmc.edu, or stop by the Health Occupations office.  The Independent Study Form takes approximately one week to process.  The office manager will contact the student when the form is ready for pickup in Records & Registration.  The Pharmacy Tech course is a 4 credit course. Tuition and fees can be viewed at www.nmc.edu/records/policies/tuition-fees.html
5. After the admission/registration process is complete, contact the course instructor, as noted on the Independent Study Form for course specific information including textbook and course completion information.
   
   NOTE: The course can be started at any time with instructor approval after January 2009.  It is not tied to the academic semester schedule. It is expected that the course will be completed within a 15-week period.  However, some students may wish to complete the course in a shorter time period.
   
   
6. Students who wish to take the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) may apply to do so at any time after completing this course and obtaining the appropriate work experience.  Information about the exam can be found on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board website at www.ptcb.org

Important Links for the Certified Pharmacy Technician Training