Purpose
Provide students with advanced theory and laboratory experience required for employment in acute care and retail pharmacies. Prepare students to take national certification exam(s). Provide employers with competent, entry-level pharmacy technicians. Provide students with exposure to the latest technology and devices being used.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
- Understand and describe hospital and institutional practice and formulary guidelines.
- Describe proper procedures for repackaging and dispensing medications. Describe the functions associated with drug information centers, specialty services such as intravenous admixture and total parenteral nutrition, satellite pharmacies, and clinical pharmacists working in an institution. Maintain a floor stock.
- Describe and apply Standard (universal) Procedures, aseptic technique, sterilization, contamination, and the germ theory of disease. Identify parenterals, appropriate means of disposing hazardous agents, and procedures to follow in the event of exposure. Identify an automated dispensing device.
- Describe the characteristics of intravenous solutions including solubility, osmolality, osmolarity, and pH. Describe equipment and supplies necessary for preparing intravenous parenterals. Identify the components of an intravenous administration set, syringe, needle, vial, and ampule. Perform conversions between Fahrenheit and Celsius and the reverse, calculate molecular weight, specific gravity, and intravenous administration rates.
- Express understanding of the extent and effect of medical errors on patient health and safety. Describe how and to what extent medication errors contribute to medical errors. Identify, define, and determine how to reduce types of medical errors. Describe root cause analysis of medication errors. Identify error reporting systems.
- Understand the importance of human relations, communications, ethics, attitude, and appearance. Describe policies and procedures. Understand the importance of not dispensing medical or pharmaceutical advice.
- Describe and abide by the confidentiality laws in healthcare. Practice within the scope of duties of a pharmacy technician. Maintain professionalism at all times.
- Create a resume that stands out in the job market and increases employability. Compare and contrast Virginia registration and licensure, and national certifications, and the benefits of each. Identify recertification requirements.
Employment Opportunities
Job opportunities for Pharmacy Technicians include retail pharmacies, acute care facilities, long term care facilities, and pharmaceutical companies.
Program Requirements
An academic advisor will review your preparation in Mathematics and English with you. You’ll be guided to appropriate preliminary coursework to give you the greatest chance of success in this program. Interested students should complete an online pharmacy technician program application and contact the program coordinator for further advising.
Additional Information
Students must possess a diploma from an accredited high school or home school, or possess a GED. Students must demonstrate competency as readiness for MTH 133 (test scores or completion of MTE 1-3 or MDE 10 ) or completion of MTH 133 or a higher-level math course with a grade of “C” or better. Students must demonstrate competency in English with readiness for ENG 111 , test scores or completion of EDE 10 , or completion of ENG 111 with a grade of “C” or better.
Passing of a criminal/sexual background check is required. Drug testing is also a requirement prior to placement of students for clinical rotations. Students with positive or inconclusive test results will be prohibited from experiential assignment and will not be eligible to complete the program and will be withdrawn. Students must be at least 18 years of age to attend clinicals.
Our clinical affiliates require certain vaccinations and testing requirements. This may change or be updated by them at any time. The current list may be found below. The background check, drug testing, and vaccine and document trackers are conducted through a third-party vendor and all costs are the responsibility of the student.
Students must complete all required coursework with a minimum grade of “C” and complete all courses in the curriculum to be eligible to take either the PTCB or ExCPT national certification examinations. Certification exam(s) must be taken within six months of program completion. The program’s 2022 pass rate on the PTCB exam is 100.0%.
MECC’s pharmacy technician program is accredited by ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) and fully approved by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy.
- Proof and record of three Hepatitis B vaccinations or proof of immunity by titer
- Proof and record of two MMR vaccines or proof of immunity by titer
- Proof of negative TB test (two step)
- Proof and record of seasonal flu shot
- Proof and record of two varicella vaccinations or proof of immunity by titer
- Poof and record of DPT (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccinations or proof of immunity by titer
- Copy of BLS for Healthcare Provider (CPR) certification (front and back of card)
- Documentation of current health insurance coverage
- Proof and record of two Hepatitis A vaccinations or proof of series begun in the past six months
- Voluntary disclosure of COVID-19 vaccination status
For Further Information, Contact:
Dora Long, Program Coordinator
dlong@mecc.edu
276.523.9016
Wes Mullins, Dean
jmullins@mecc.edu
276.523.9017