Pharmacy Technician Essentials (Coursera)

Students will be able to demonstrate correct processing of medication orders, preparation, storage, and distribution of medications, by the end of the course. On top of knowing the medications being prescribed, students must also learn how to use pharmacy equipment, including management software and reading of prescriptions. At the completion of this course, students should have a solid understanding of what their day-to-day tasks will be within a pharmacy environment and how to use the necessary tools to excel in their new career.

Course objectives include:

- Identify the primary functions of different pharmacy organizations

- Discuss the different roles of the pharmacy technician

- Describe the common drugs and their uses, drug routes and formulations, and factor affecting drug activity

- Understand pharmacy management software, as well as reading and interpreting prescriptions

This course is part of the Pharmacy Technician Fundamentals Specialization.

What you'll learn

- Understand the primary functions of different pharmacy organizations

- Understand the different roles of the pharmacy technician

- Understand the common drugs and their uses, drug routes and formulations, and factors affecting drug activity

- Understand pharmacy management software, as well as reading and interpreting prescriptions

Syllabus

Module 1

Become acquainted with various pharmacy settings from the hospital to the community retail pharmacy to mail order drug distribution and the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of these settings.

Module 2

Gain an understanding of the basic aptitudes and personal attributes that are needed for a successful Pharmacy Technician; the daily job duties and responsibilities, as well as training, competency testing and performance measures. Additionally, review common medical terminology, drug classifications and abbreviations used in the pharmacy, and the body systems and their common disorders that are treated with medication.

Module 3

Learn about how drugs are developed, patented and named, understand drug classes, drug reference books, and common medications and their uses. Additionally, gain an understanding of the different forms that drugs are dispensed in (tablet, powder, solutions, syrups, etc.) and the various routes of administration (oral, dermal, parenteral, etc.).

Module 4

Become acquainted with the various tools and equipment used in a pharmacy setting to weigh, mix, count, and dispense medication. Additionally, gain an awareness of working with computers and software programs within the pharmacy setting and the different fields utilized to fill a prescription and run basic reports. The goal is not to master any specific software but to understand overall functionality.