MCC Course Prepares Students for Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
It’s not news that the population is getting older and that, as it does, there is more call for pharmaceuticals that treat age-related illnesses and conditions. What may not be widely known is that there is a greater need not just for pharmacists but also for technicians who support them. Manchester Community College Credit-Free Programs has a course that prepares students to enter this exciting field.
The course, “Pharmacy Technician Certification Training,” begins Monday, September 16, and runs 20 sessions, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6 to 9 p.m. through November 25. The in-depth, 60-hour course prepares students for an entry-level position in a community hospital, long-term care setting, or pharmacy. It was designed in collaboration with members of the Connecticut Pharmacists Association, who will also teach the course.
Registration (refer to CRN 31542) is now open. The fee is $825. Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding and Veterans Affairs (VA) funding may be available to help with course expenses.
The pharmacy technician prepares medications under the direction of a pharmacist and may measure, mix, count, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications.
A pharmacy technician may also review refill requests to verify that information is complete and accurate; maintain proper storage and security for drugs; answer telephones and respond to customer questions and requests; fill bottles with prescribed medications; type and affix labels; price and file prescriptions that have been filled; clean and maintain equipment and work areas; and sterilize glassware according to prescribed methods.
Students will learn medical terminology specific to the pharmacy, to read and interpret prescriptions and define drugs by generic and brand names. They will also learn to calculate dosage and intravenous (I.V.). flow rates and about drug compounding and dose conversion. Procedures regarding prescriptions, inventory control, billing, and insurance reimbursement will also be discussed.
The course is an excellent review for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam. The certification is nationally recognized and is a valuable credential for getting a job. The course fee does not include the PTCB exam fee. Go to Pharmacy Technician Certification Board for more exam information.
To register, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 860-512-3232, or visit Credit-Free Programs .
For more information about MCC’s Pharmacy Technician Certification prep course, or additional MCC Credit-Free Programs Allied Health certification prep courses, contact Diane Mitchell, at 860-512-2826 or email dmitchell@manchestercc.edu.
