Fast Track Training Outline

1. THE PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
• Describe the origins of pharmacy.
• Describe the 2 stages of development of pharmacy during the 20th century.
• Compare and contrast the functions of the pharmacist and the pharmacy technician.
• Explain the educational and licensing requirements of pharmacist and pharmacy technicians.
• Identify the duties and work environments of the pharmacy technician.
• Differentiate among the various kinds of pharmacies.


2. PHARMACY LAW, STANDARDS, AND ETHICS FOR TECHNICIANS
• Distinguish among statutory law, common law, regulatory law, ethics and professional standards for the practice of pharmacy.
• Describe the impact of major statutory federal drug laws on the practice of pharmacy in the 20th and 21st centuries.
• Differentiate between the duties that can be performed by a pharmacist and a pharmacy technician.


3. MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY, DOSAGE FORMS AND ROUTES OF ADMINISTRATION
• Identify common Latin and Greek word parts used in medicine and pharmacy.
• Interpret basic terminology by organ system.
• Interpret abbreviations and symbols used in prescriptions and medication orders.
• Differentiate between different dosage forms that are commonly prescribed.
• Understand the common routes of administration and which dosage forms are given by a specific route of administration.


4. THE PRESCRIPTION
• Explain the difference between a prescription and a medication order.
• Describe the role of and elements of a patient profile.
• Identify the required elements of a prescription.
• Interpret “standard prescription” terminology.
• Describe the steps in the dispensing process.
• Describe the required elements of a prescription label.
• Identify ways to avoid dispensing errors.
• Identify guidelines for the safe use of pharmacy abbreviations.


5. DRUG CLASSIFICATION
• Identify a therapeutic classification for the top 200 drug products.
• Identify drugs that belong to the same chemical class of drug products.
• Name a common trade name for the top generic drug products.


6. HOW DRUGS WORK
• Define the terms- absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.
• Identify factors of patient variability that affect ADME.
• Discuss the different mechanisms of action for drug interactions.
• Identify a common drug interactions and their categorization.
• Explain the impact of drug-food interactions.


7. HOSPITAL AND INSTITUTIONAL PHARMACY PRACTICE
• List the members of the healthcare team within the hospital and the common departments found in a hospital.
• Understand the origins and purpose of the hospital formulary.
• Describe the functions of a drug information center.
• Explain the difference between central pharmacy, satellite pharmacy inpatient pharmacy and outpatient pharmacy.
• Explain the concept of Universal Precautions.
• Describe proper aseptic technique, including the use of horizontal and vertical airflow hoods.
• Describe the equipment and procedures used in preparing parenterals.
• Describe unit-dose and floor stock distribution systems.
• Explain the proper procedure for repackaging of medications.
• Describe proper procedures for handling and disposal of hazardous agents.
• List institutional pharmacy practice sites other than a hospital.


8. COMMUNITY AND OTHER PHARMACY SETTINGS
• Identify the major elements of a patient profile.
• List the required elements for a prescription.
• List the required elements for a prescription label.
• Describe the elements of Disease State Management Programs.
• Identify ways to protect a patient’s privacy in a community pharmacy.
• Describe the role of the pharmacy technician in inventory management.


9. EXTEMPORANEOUS COMPOUNDING
• Compare the terms manufacturing and extemporaneous compounding and describe common situations in which compounding is required.
• Identify and describe the appropriate use of equipment used for the weighing, measuring, mixing, molding and packaging of pharmaceuticals.
• Describe the proper technique for weighing pharmaceutical ingredients.
• Describe the proper technique for measuring liquid volumes.
• Explain the use of the geometric dilution method.
• Explain the processes by which solutions, suspensions, ointments, creams, powders, suppositories, and capsules are prepared.


10. THE BUSINESS OF PHARMACY
• Explain different inventory management systems and concepts including POS systems, backorders, invoices, expiration dates, stocking and storage systems.
• Describe the use of Material Safety Data Sheets
• Describe different types of automated dispensing systems and their use in the pharmacy
• Explain how insurance and 3rd party payors impact the practice of pharmacy.
• Understand the concepts needed to perform basic business math


11. PHARMACY MATH REVIEW
• Demonstrate competency in number conversion between different measuring systems used in the practice of pharmacy
• Calculate dosages based on weight and frequency
• Understand the relationship between fractions and decimals
• Determine IV flow rate calculations
• Compound prescriptions utilizing ration and proportions and allegation methods.


12. PHARMACY COMMUNICATION, JOBS SKILLS AND REVIEW FOR THE PTCB EXAM
• Identify appropriate methods of communication with colleagues and customers
• Review for the certification exam.