West Virginia University, through a partnership with Gatlin Education Services, offers online career training services for adults who want to attain the skills needed for many in-demand professions such as pharmacy technician training. This course prepares students for entry-level pharmacy technician positions.

Computer Requirements
This course can be taken on either a Mac or a PC; however, most medical offices currently use PCs.

Background The pharmacy technician profession has become indispensable to the healthcare field. A nationwide shortage of pharmacists and a growing consumer demand for prescription medications have allowed pharmacy technicians the opportunity to play a continually more important role in today’s pharmacy industry. Due to the growing opportunity and thus the increased responsibility, the pharmacy technician certification has become an important issue for many industry employers and some state legislatures.

Course Goal The Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program is designed for an individual who, under the supervision of a pharmacist, assists in the performance of those pharmacy-department activities not requiring the professional judgment of a pharmacist. Pharmacy Technicians assist and support licensed pharmacists in providing health care to patients. They must have a broad knowledge of pharmacy practice and must be skilled in the techniques required to order, stock, package, and prepare medications. This program provides students the necessary information required to pass the National Certification Exam offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.

Course Objectives Upon completion, the student will be able to:

• Define the differences between the hospital and retail pharmacy setting.
• Demonstrate ethical conduct in all duties performed.
• Understand the laws that govern pharmacy, whether federal or state mandated.
• Interpret physician orders and prescriptions.
• Prepare and distribute medications.
• Define medical and pharmaceutical terms, and common abbreviations.
• Understand the pharmacology of medications in relation to the anatomy affected.
• Perform pharmaceutical calculations.
• Communicate effectively with patients and medical professionals.
• Understand the importance of confidentiality of all patient information.
• Process insurance billing and/or collect payments.
• Control inventory.
• Pass the National Certification Exam.

Course Structure and Schedule This is a non-credit course offered for 300 hours. The student can register at any time during the year. Cost is $1,995 per student. A certificate for course completion will be issued.

Prerequisite(s) Include a High School Diploma or GED. Students should be proficient in keyboarding (approximately 35 words per minute), have a basic understanding of a word-processing computer program (Microsoft Word recommended), and have a command of English grammar and punctuation. No healthcare or medical office work experience is required.

Materials Included
Gatlin Education Services will provide the five required textbooks for this program. They include:

• The Pharmacy Technician: A Comprehensive Approach, Thomson/DelMar Publishing
• Math for Meds: Dosages and Solutions, Thomson/DelMar Publishing
• Pharmacology for Technicians, EMCParadigm Publishing
• Pharmacology for Technicians Workbook, EMCParadigm Publishing
• Drug Cards

Overview/Subject Matter

• Orientation to Pharmacy
• Pharmacy Law and Ethics
• Medical and Pharmaceutical Terminology
• Pharmaceutical Calculations
• Pharmacology
• Communication Skills
• Insurance and Inventory Procedures
• Clinical Rotations – Hospital (Institutional ) Pharmacy & Retail (Community) Pharmacy

Note: Clinical rotations will be based on individual state board requirements. Students will be responsible for locating facilities, make contact, and then notify the instructor. The instructor will then contact the facility to verify student expectations. In the event that clinical sites cannot be found, a research project for each area will be assigned.

Registration

Register online through our secure server or fill out this form and fax or mail it to Extended Learning. You will be given class access by email within five working days. Call 1-800-2Learn2, or email WVUEnrich@mail.wvu.edu if you have any questions. Major credit cards and electronic checks are accepted.

Refund Policy
Any cancellation and refund request must be submitted in writing by the student to WVU Extended Learning. A $50 processing fee will be charged to the student for a cancellation requested before materials (books) are mailed to the student. If the student cancels within ten days after the materials are mailed to the student, then a $100 processing fee will be charged, provided the student returns the materials, within five days of the written request, in their original condition. If the materials are not returned within the specified period of time or are not in their original condition, then a $500 processing fee will be charged to the student. If the student cancels any time between eleven and thirty days after the materials ae mailed to the student, then a $300 processing fee will be charged, provided the student returns the materials, within 5 days of the written request, in their original condition. If the materials are not returned within the specified period of time or are not in their original condition, then a $500 processing fee will be charged to the student. No other refunds will be considered.