Pharmacy Technician 1

Grades: 11, 12

Credit: one

Course Code: 830527

Pharmacy Technician 1 Course Description:

Level 1 is designed to provide students with basic skills and knowledge to begin work as a pharmacy technician. The coursework will fulfill the requirements of the Virginia Board of Pharmacy and prepare students for level 2. Trained, experienced pharmacy technicians who can demonstrate the right skills and knowledge, have many exciting and respected career options, and are well-positioned to pursue postsecondary study in the pharmacy field. Students must meet current health agency requirements to participate in clinical experiences. This course is part of the Claude Moore Scholars programs, a healthcare education charitable foundation supporting the HMS program. HOSA, a co-curricular student organization, offers opportunities in leadership, community, and competitive events. 

Note: LEVEL 1 IS A 1 CREDIT COURSE WHICH MEETS EVERY OTHER DAY AND MUST BE TAKEN JUNIOR YEAR TO TAKE LEVEL 2 AS A SENIOR TO EARN THE PROGRAM COMPLETION CERTIFICATE.

SENIORS WHO DO NOT TAKE LEVEL 1 AS A JUNIOR MAY ENROLL IN LEVEL 1 FOR CREDIT ONLY, BUT WILL NOT QUALIFY TO EARN A COMPLETION PROGRAM CERTIFICATE

• Industry certification may be available as part of this course. This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.

FCPS students attempting the 2022/23 EXCPT Exam (National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam) the overall passing rate was 57% passing.

Course Topics:

• History of Pharmacy
• Roles of the Pharmacy Technician
• Career Paths
• FDA, DEA, and Board of Pharmacy Regulations
• DEA forms, Controlled Substance Procedures
• Prescription and Label Processing
• Medical/anatomical/Pharmaceutical Terminology
• Generic/Brand Identification
• Patient/Medication Safety
• Community/Hospital Pharmacy Operations
• Asepsis & Infection Control
• Compounding
• Training and Licensure Options
• Pharmacy Calculations
• Capsule Packing
• Suspension and Solution Preparation
• Reference Materials Used in Pharmacies

Pharmacy Technician 2

Grades: 12

Credit: two

Course Code: 830627

Pharmacy Technician 2 Course Description:

Level 2 is designed to provide students with advanced skills and knowledge to begin work as a pharmacy technician. The coursework will fulfill the requirements of the Virginia Board of Pharmacy and prepare students to take a national examination. Trained, experienced pharmacy technicians who can demonstrate the right skills and knowledge, have many exciting and respected career options, and are well-positioned to pursue postsecondary study in the pharmacy field. Students must purchase scrubs and lab coats as appropriate and meet current health agency requirements to participate in clinical experiences. This course is part of the Claude Moore Scholars programs, a healthcare education charitable foundation supporting the HMS program. HOSA, a co-curricular student organization, offers opportunities in leadership, community, and competitive events. This course has specific state laws and regulations from a governing medical board or agency. This program will be nationally accredited and will include the minimum number of hours as follows: Didactic – 120 hours; Simulated – 50 hours; Experiential site hours totaling 130 hours outside of class time; plus 100 additional hours, to obtain the minimum of 400 hours of training total. The additional 100 hours may be allocated to the three educational modalities listed above, based on the discretion of the program director and faculty. Some healthcare facilities that accept federal funding (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid) may require criminal background checks and drug screens for students participating in a clinical experience. An updated immunization record will be required prior to the student participating in the clinical experience. To pass this course and earn credit, students must complete a total of 130 clinical hours in a dispensing pharmacy. 

Note: THE LEVEL 2 COURSE IS 2 CREDITS AND MEETS EVERY DAY FOR SENIORS ONLY,  WHO HAVE COMPLETED LEVEL 1 IN JUNIOR YEAR

Note: Students in this course are eligible to sit for the EXCPT Pharmacy Technician Certification provided they have a Social Security Number, a requirement by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy.

The Pharmacy Technician Trainee License ($25.00 fee) will be applied for and paid for by the student at the VA Board of Pharmacy website at the direction of the instructor. 

Industry certification may be available as part of this course. This course requires a materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.

• EXCPT Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT.) from the National Healthcare Association/One time exam fee provided for all students*

Course Topics:

• Pharmacy Careers
• Medical Terminology & Sig Codes
• Disease States
• Prescription and Label Processing
• Dosage Formulations and Routes of Administration
• Body Systems
• Pharmacology
• Customer Service
• Professional Conduct & Ethics
• Documentation (HIPAA, OSHA Records)
• Pharmacy Law
• Asepsis & Infection Control
• Compounding and IV Admixture
• Roles of the Pharmacy Technician
• Training and Licensure Options
• DEA forms, Controlled Substance Procedures
• Pharmacy Calculations
• I.V. and Oral Syringe Measurement and Sterile Technique for I.V. Preparations
• Capsule Packing
• Suspension and Solution Preparation

General Course Requisites

• Fees: This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.
• Approved uniforms must be purchased which may be either scrubs or a lab coat at the direction of the instructor.
• Students must provide proof of immunizations and TB test.
• Strong communication skills, good human relation skills, maturity, responsibility & honesty, and sensitivity to patient privacy.
• Must maintain strong attendance.

Certifications for Pharmacy Technician 2

• American Heart Association Healthcare Provider BLS CPR w/AED.
• ASHP Pharmacy Technician Course Completion Certificate.
• With the ASHP Completion Certificate for this course, and a passing score of 80% on the EXCPT Pharmacy Technician Exam, offered by the  National Healthcare Association (NHA), students are awarded the title Nationally Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) from NHA and may apply for a Registered Pharmacy Technician (RPhT) license with the State Board Of Pharmacy. Note: The CPhT is offered to Pharmacy Technician Level II students in April/May of each school year.
• NHA Pharmacy Technician National Certification (EXCPT) upon passing the EXCPT exam with a score of 80% or higher and course completion.
• RPhT license eligibility through the Board of Pharmacy of Virginia. Note: Students need to apply for the license and pay fees through the VA Board of Pharmacy website.

FCPS students attempting the 2022/23 EXCPT Exam (National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam) the overall passing rate was 57% passing.

Attendance

Academy attendance policies apply to this course as outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities. 

Students not meeting ASHP hour requirements outlined in the Course Description will not receive credit for the course, qualify to take theNational Testing for the CPhT credential, or earn a Course Completion Certificate.

Additional Requirements Post Graduation and Licensing

NHA CPhT certification must be renewed every 2 years. The cost to renew CPhT certification every two years with NHA is $55.  During the two-year period prior to recertification, certified pharmacy technicians must complete at least 20 Continuing Education (CE) credits hours, at least one hour of the 20 hours must be in the category of Pharmacy Law and at least one hour of the 20 hours must be in the category of Patient Safety. CE offerings are available online through many ACPE providers.

To maintain RPhT Registration, 5 Continuing Education (CE) credits hours must be completed and renewed by December 31th on an annual basis.  Pharmacy Technicians may apply Continuing Education (CE) credit hours used on their CPhT certification renewal towards maintaining their RPhT (State) Registration.

Salary and Employment Prospects

The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $37,790 in May 2022. The projected growth for the pharmacy technician profession is:

• $18.17 per hour, 2022 median pay
• 25,900 new jobs, 2022-32
• 6% projected growth, 2022-32
• 459,600 jobs, 2022

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Pharmacy Technicians, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm (visited March 13, 2024).

Program Dismissal

Academy attendance policies apply to this course as outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities and as noted specifically in the course description. Failure of the Level 1 course will prevent students from proceeding to Level 2, and thus not complete the two-year program.  Additionally, in accordance with FCPS’ Pharmacy Partners Policies and Procedures, students who fail a drug screen test or demonstrate evidence of illicit drug use are prevented from attending the clinical experiences mandated in the course program. In order to pass the class and receive credit, students must complete 130 hours of clinical experiences in a dispensing pharmacy setting outside of class. 

• In accordance with our Pharmacy Partners Policies and Procedures, if a student is placed at a pharmacy location and the location is part of a random drug test, the student will also be tested.
• If the school becomes aware of any criminal, background and/or drug issues with any student in the Program, the School is obligated to inform the Pharmacy Partner.