Department:    PHARM

 Course #:    135

 Credits:    4

 Variable:     No

 Course Description  

Introduction to the role of pharmacy technicians in the community and hospital pharmacy setting. Filling prescriptions under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. Discussion and demonstration of sensitivity when working with a multicultural population.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: PHARM 130, 131, 132, 133; AHE 102, 112, and 118, ENGL 170, and OFTEC 162 with a minimum C grade; concurrent enrollment in PHARM 134 and concurrent enrollment or completion of AHE 101, 106, and 200 with a minimum C grade.

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 33

Lab: 22

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0

Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Required for certificate  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

1. Describe each step of the prescription dispensing process in the community pharmacy setting.
2. Demonstrate ability to accurately collect, organize and evaluate information contained in a patient profile/medical record.
3. Accurately screen and interpret a prescription/medication order, prepare medications for dispensing, and correctly bill insurance and other third party sources of payment for services.
4. Describe each step in the process of preparing medications for dispensing, distribution or administration in the hospital setting.
5. Demonstrate ability to follow appropriate steps in preparation of sterile products.
6. Discuss the importance of being sensitive to a patient's culture when discussing drugs and home treatments.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

3. Communication

Definition: Understanding and producing effective written, spoken, visual, and non-verbal communication.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
3.5 Recognize, comprehend, and use non-verbal behaviors appropriate to a given context.
3.6 Recognize, comprehend, and use visual communication appropriate to a given context.
3.7 Adapt communication to diverse audiences and media.

4. Community & Cultural Diversity

Definition: Recognizing the value of human communities and cultures from multiple perspectives through a critical understanding of their similarities and differences.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
4.2 Understand, value and respect human differences and commonalities as they relate to issues of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities and culture.
4.4 Demonstrate effective communication across differences in human communities and cultures.
4.6 Utilize ethical practice in relation to diverse communities and cultures for the promotion of equity and social justice.

6. Individual Awareness & Responsibility

Definition: Understanding, managing, and taking responsibility for one’s learning and behavior in varied and changing environments.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
6.2 Demonstrate standards of professionalism in manner, appearance, and setting appropriate to the context, including the classroom, workplace, and community.

Course Contents

1. Interpretation of prescriptions/medication orders.
2. Utilizing, interpreting and maintaining patient profiles/medical records.
3. Prescription processing in community pharmacy setting.
4. Record keeping in community pharmacy setting.
5. Third party billing.
6. Processing hospital medication orders.
7. Unit dose systems.
8. Floor stock.
9. Aseptic technique/sterile product preparation/IV admixtures.
10. Laboratory practice in processing outpatient prescriptions.
11. Preparation of sterile products using aseptic technique in lab simulation.
12. Discussion of the importance of awareness of a patients' culture to encourage patients' compliance with taking medication as ordered.