Pharmacy Technology

Degrees and Certificates

Courses

PHM 100: Introduction to Pharmacy

Semester Hours 2
This course introduces the student to the role of the Pharmacy Technician in providing patient care services. Topics include pharmaceutical terms, abbreviations and symbols used in the prescribing and charting of medication, dosage forms, routes of administration of drugs, patient variables with regard to drug therapy, and equipment and systems used in parenteral administration of drugs. Upon completion, students should be able to explain the role of pharmacy technician assistants, read and interpret drug orders, describe quality assurance, and utilize pharmacy references.

PHM 102: Pharmacology I

Semester Hours 3

This course is an introduction to drug categories and usage, as well as drug side effects. It also covers prescription terminology and the top two hundred drugs by category and name (trade and generic). Upon completion, students should be able to place major drugs into the correct therapeutic categories and identify indications, side effects, and trade and generic names.

PHM 112: Pharmacology II

Semester Hours 3
This course is a continuation of PHM 102. Additional drug groups are introduced, and their uses, side effects, and mechanisms of action are discussed. Upon completion, students should be able to place major drugs into correct therapeutic categories and identify indications, side effects, and trade and generic names.

PHM 113: Drugs and Health

Semester Hours 3

This course emphasizes the rational use of prescription and non-prescription medications. Topics include how to use licit drugs and chemical substances appropriately, the development of drugs, economic factors that impact health care, drugs, and pregnancy, children and the elderly, and the use of self-help medications for a variety of conditions. Upon completion, students should be able to perform basic supervised dispensing techniques in a variety of pharmacy settings.

PHM 205: Computers and Billings

Semester Hours 3

This course introduces students to the design, control, and planning of electronic information systems used to implement medication orders, manage the medication distribution system, and handle medication billing. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare patient charges, distribute medications, and operate computers efficiently.

PHM 207: Institutional Pharmacy

Semester Hours 3

This course covers the development of hospitals, their place in society, and the importance and place of pharmacy in hospitals and nursing homes. Topics covered include the organization, staffing, services, legal requirements, development of institutional pharmacy departments, and interdepartmental relationships to provide comprehensive pharmacy services. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the topic discussed.

PHM 210: Pharmacy Practice

Semester Hours 3

This course considers all aspects of pharmacy, from retail, in-patient, and ordering to manufacturing. Emphasis is on those aspects of pharmacy that hospital technicians would be required to perform. Topics covered include theory and practice behind the dispensing of drugs to hospitals inpatients and ambulatory patients, demonstrating accuracy in preparing and dispensing drugs or simulations, and aseptic technique and equipment used in a laboratory setting. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate proficiency in performing these tasks.

PHM 211: Clinical Practicum I

Semester Hours 3
This course provides the student’s first exposure to pharmacies and hospitals. Lecture and demonstrations in laboratory settings are utilized to acquaint the student with standard operating procedures at participating facilities. Both retail and hospital pharmacy situations and job skills are addressed. Upon completion, students should be able to apply technical skills and organization knowledge in support of pharmacists in these settings.

PHM 212: Clinical Practicum II

Semester Hours 3
This course continues PHM 211 and goes one step further to take the student out of the theoretical laboratory and into the actual job experience. Additional experience under the supervision of pharmacists will demonstrate accuracy through clinical evaluation in the hospital and retail pharmacy settings in pouring, compounding, packaging, and labeling and dispensing of drugs to patients. Upon completion, students should be able to provide technical assistance and support to retail and hospital pharmacists.