The Pharmacy Support Services program prepares students to prepare and provide medications and related assistance to patients, manage pharmacy clinical and business operations. The Pharmacy Support Services program includes instruction in medical and pharmaceutical terminology, principles of pharmacology and pharmaceutics, drug identification, pharmacy laboratory procedures, prescription interpretation, patient communication and education, safety procedures, recordkeeping, measurement and testing techniques, pharmacy business operations, prescription preparation, logistics and dispensing operations, and applicable standards and regulations. The Pharmacy Support Services students develop leadership, social, civic, and career skills through participation in the Career and Technical Student Organization HOSA (Future Health Professionals).

This certificate program will provide you the skills, both personal and professional, to become a capable entry-level pharmacy technician. At Pima Medical Institute, hands-on training and lab time that simulates real-world settings will prepare you to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. This program also develops professional skills such as customer service, prescription preparation, patient profiling and drug inventory maintenance. The duties and responsibilities required by pharmacy technicians are vital to improving patient experience and ensuring optimal efficiency in pharmacy settings.

This certificate program will provide you the skills, both personal and professional, to become a capable entry-level pharmacy technician. At Pima Medical Institute, hands-on training and lab time that simulates real-world settings will prepare you to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. This program also develops professional skills such as customer service, prescription preparation, patient profiling and drug inventory maintenance. The duties and responsibilities required by pharmacy technicians are vital to improving patient experience and ensuring optimal efficiency in pharmacy settings.

The Pharmacy Technology Program is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as a pharmacy technician, providing medications and other healthcare products to patients and consumers. Under the supervision of a Pharmacist, students learn to fill prescriptions, establish and maintain patient profiles, prepare insurance claim forms, take inventory, and stock medications. A background check may be required for clinical experience. The California Board of Pharmacy may deny the Pharmacy Technician license based on convictions substantially related to Pharmacy Technician practice.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job demand for certified pharmacy technicians is expected to grow 12% from 2016 - 2026, faster than average for all occupations. The demand stems from caring for the aging population in addition to numerous new drug therapies. 

The purpose of the Pharmacy Technology Programs at Chattanooga State is to prepare students to become well trained, nationally PTCB certified pharmacy technicians in order to assist the pharmacists of the greater Chattanooga community in providing optimal pharmaceutical care to patients.

Pharmacy Technicians must have broad knowledge of pharmacy practice and be skilled in the techniques required to fill prescriptions, constitute IV solutions, and prepare medication without constant instruction by the pharmacist. Because of its critical nature, Pharmacy Technicians must perform precise work, as well as employ good communication and interpersonal skills.

Earn your Pharmacy Technician Certificate online in as few as 9 months and be on your way to becoming a crucial player in a growing healthcare field. 1The instructors within the online Pharmacy Tech school program deliver a skills-based curriculum, and our virtual or workplace practicum allows you to rehearse real-life scenarios that give you career confidence on day one.2 Through career-focused curriculum and convenient, online Pharmacy Technician classes, you'll be learning a variety of essential skills, from the composition of commonly prescribed medications and typical drugs used for many common diseases to how to receive, interpret and fill prescriptions.

Clinical hours are included with your learning experience to get hands-on practice, gain valuable knowledge, and apply your training through exposure in the healthcare field. When you become eligible, our team will coordinate to secure all required documentation and work to connect you with one of our participating partner sites.

The Pharmacy Technician Program orients students to the work of various pharmacy settings and the context in which their work is performed. An overview of the pharmacokinetics & pharmacodynamics associated with prescription and OTC medications is provided.

Students are introduced to the profound influence that federal and state laws and regulation have on practice. Commonly encountered ethical dilemmas are explored in this program. Students will perform drug dosage conversions and calculations. The program contains opportunities for hands on labs to allow students to simulate preparing various forms of medications. Upon successful completion of the program, students should have attained the skills to prepare them to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, if they choose to. Additionally, the Pharmacy Technician program will provide a basic foundation and understanding of pharmaceuticals that any student pursuing higher level education in the Healthcare field may benefit from.