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Pharmacy Technician Training
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Pharmacy Technician Training
Do you want a career helping others and working in an exciting team environment? Pharmacy technicians provide vital care to people of all ages and health conditions. Technicians work closely under the supervision of pharmacists to prepare medications, perform office tasks, monitor inventory, and handle patient’s insurance claims. You can find employment in a variety of pharmacy settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, drugstore chains, grocery stores, and physicians’ offices. You will discover that the pharmacy technician field is both challenging and rewarding.
Best of all, you can train from home…on your own terms! You can work at your own pace and choose the times you study. Our first-rate training programs are built to suit your schedule and individual needs. Fast-track your training if you want! It’s in your hands.
Why choose Blackstone for pharmacy technician training? With decades of experience, Blackstone is the leader in flexible career training programs.
As a Blackstone distance education student, you can enjoy the benefits and convenience of our Online Student Center. Your study units are available online and are accessible anytime, anywhere. You’ll have access to all the support you need as you complete your pharmacy technician course.
Through the Pharmacy Technician training program, you’ll learn about the pharmacy team and the fundamentals of assisting the pharmacist, including interacting with customers, medication preparation, inventory control, and counting and labeling of medications. You’ll gain a working knowledge of medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmacy calculations, pharmacology, body systems and disorders, English usage, ethics and professionalism. Upon graduation, you’ll be a professional, ready for entry-level employment in your new career. The Blackstone Pharmacy Technician training course even teaches you how to find a job!
Our course qualifies students to sit in the certification exam to be a Pharmacy Technician.
Now is the time to launch your new career as a pharmacy technician.
Pharmacy Technician Career
Why Choose a Career as a Pharmacy Technician?
The Job of the Future
The demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to increase in the future, reflecting the rapid growth in the healthcare industry due to a population that is increasing in number as well as climbing in age. The number of prescriptions ordered by physicians will rise as the number of middle-aged and elderly patients, who use more prescription medications, increases.
Pharmacy technicians work in a variety of pharmacy settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, independently owned pharmacies, drugstore chains, grocery stores, mass retailers, Internet pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, physicians’ offices, correctional institutions and pharmaceutical wholesalers.
Employment Outlook for Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy technician is a growing field with great employment prospects for accurate and efficient workers. A skilled pharmacy technician can find employment in a health-system or retail pharmacy. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number of pharmacy technicians employed in the United States is expected to grow up to 31% by 2018. (U.S. Dept. of Labor Statistics, 2010 - 2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook)
What You Can Earn Working in the Pharmacy Technician Field
The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics lists the middle 50 percent of pharmacy technicians earning up to $33,030. The top 10% of pharmacy technicians earned more than $39,478. As with many careers, the earning potential of pharmacy technicians varies depending on factors such as experience, skills, and geographic location. Working for a general medical or surgical hospital results in higher average earnings.
(U.S. Dept. of Labor Statistics, 2010-2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook)
Choosing a Career
Not sure which career is right for you? We can help you compare and choose a career. You can also find out more about careers that allow you to work from home.
Pharmacy Technician Course Curriculum Detail
The comprehensive curriculum of Blackstone's Pharmacy Technician online training course covers a broad range of topics.
Unit 1: Blackstone’s Skills for Success
Chapter 1
Discusses learning styles and intrinsic and extrinsic motivation; explains the difference between visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners and field dependence and field independence.
Chapter 2
Discusses the importance of finding a place to study, setting realistic goals, and avoiding distractions and procrastination.
Chapter 3
Covers learning strategies, including the SQ3R; explains how to take notes, use memory tricks and references, and prepare for multiple-choice tests.
Unit 2: English and Written Communications
Chapter 1
Covers the parts of speech including nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.
Chapter 2
Covers the parts of a sentence including the subject, predicate, direct object, indirect object, subject compliment, phrase, and clause.
Chapter 3
Covers pronoun/antecedent agreement and pronoun usage; explains how pronouns are used in sentences; covers subject/verb agreement.
Chapter 4
Covers sentence types and sentence punctuation.
Chapter 5
Covers fundamentals of written communication including using active versus passive voice, writing unified and coherent paragraphs, and writing topic sentences for paragraphs. Discusses common types of business communication including business letters and memorandums.
Unit 3: Anatomy & Medical Terminology 1: An Introduction
Chapter 1
Explains how medical terms are constructed and analyzed to determine meaning; discusses types of medical terms; explains the function of combining vowels and how terms are pluralized.
Chapter 2
Covers prefixes relating to number, size, color, negation, position and direction, as well as those with the same meaning or opposite meaning.
Chapter 3
Covers common roots and combining vowels as well as suffixes which indicate the word's part of speech; also discusses suffixes related to pathologic conditions, diagnoses, and surgical incisions.
Chapter 4
Introduces the body cavities, body planes, and directional terms.
Unit 4: Anatomy & Medical Terminology 2
Chapter 5
Discusses the anatomy and physiology of the skeletal system, including the bones; the axial and appendicular skeletons; and the joints and ligaments; also provides a list of relevant medical terms.
Chapter 6
Covers the muscular system, including the types of muscles and their functions, and related diseases and disorders; lists relevant medical terms.
Chapter 7
Provides an overview of the integumentary system, including the skin, hair and nails; discusses diseases and disorders as well as lists relevant medical terms.
Chapter 8
Covers the respiratory system—including the nose, pharynx and lungs—as well as diseases and disorders related to this system; lists relevant medical terms.
Unit 5: Anatomy & Medical Terminology 3
Chapter 9
Covers the cardiovascular system, including the structure of the heart, function of blood vessels, and related disorders and diseases; lists relevant medical terms.
Chapter 10
Discusses the function and parts of the urinary system, including kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra; covers related diseases and disorders as well as medical terminology.
Chapter 11
Introduces the digestive system, including the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory organs; covers related diseases and disorders as well as medical terminology.
Chapter 12
Covers the peripheral and central nervous systems, their function, related diseases and disorders, and medical terminology.
Unit 6: Anatomy & Medical Terminology 4
Chapter 13
Discusses the glands that make up the endocrine system as well as related diseases and disorders; also lists relevant medical terms.
Chapter 14
Provides an overview of the anatomy of both the eyes and the ears (the sensory system); covers related diseases and disorders as well as medical terminology.
Chapter 15
Covers the blood, lymphatic, and immune systems and their functions; discusses relevant diseases and disorders as well as medical terminology.
Chapter 16
Provides an overview of both the male and female reproductive systems; covers related diseases and disorders as well as medical terminology.
Unit 7: Fundamentals of Pharmacy Practice
Chapter 1
Discusses the history of the pharmacy practice through the 20th century, including how the role of the pharmacy technician evolved and the future of medicine and pharmacy practice.
Chapter 2
Provides an overview of the pharmacy profession; discusses pharmacy practice settings and characteristics of a good pharmacy technician; and introduces career development, including registration/licensure, certification, professional organizations, and career opportunities.
Chapter 3
Covers the communication process, including types and methods of communication, barriers to communication, and interaction with customers and patients.
Chapter 4
Provides an overview of criminal, civil, and administrative law; regulatory agencies; pharmacy law; and ethics, including ethical theories and the professional code of ethics.
Chapter 5
Covers terminology and abbreviations, including dangerous abbreviations and drug names.
Unit 8: Community and Institutional Pharmacy
Chapter 6
Discusses retail pharmacies, including staff, organization of retail pharmacies, regulatory agencies, prescriptions, job responsibilities, Over-the-Counter medications, medical equipment, and patient confidentiality.
Chapter 7
Provides an overview of health-system pharmacies, including hospital staff, organization of health-system pharmacies, regulatory agencies, policies and procedures, dispensing systems, medication orders, and job responsibilities.
Chapter 8
Covers technology in the pharmacy, including computers, automation and robotics, personal digital assistants, telepharmacy, and how patient confidentiality applies.
Chapter 9
Discusses inventory management, including purchasing systems, the ordering and receiving processes, and returns; covers insurance billing, including types of insurance, collecting insurance data, transmitting prescriptions, and troubleshooting.
Chapter 10
Covers an introduction to compounding, including equipment and supplies, compounding facilities, quality assurance, dosage forms, veterinary compounding, and medication flavoring.
Chapter 11
Provides an overview of sterilization, aseptic techniques, equipment and supplies, routes of administration, and sterile products.
Unit 9: Pharmacy Calculations
Chapter 12
Discusses basic math skills, decimals, fractions, Roman Numerals, ratios and percentages; includes practice problems.
Chapter 13
Provides an overview of measurement systems, including the metric system; international units; milliequivalents; apothecary, avoirdupois and household systems; and converting measurements and temperature; also provides practice problems.
Chapter 14
Covers dosage calculations, including number of doses, quantity to dispense, quantity of ingredients, correct days supply, multiple dosages, and pediatric dosages; includes practice problems.
Chapter 15
Discusses concentrations and dilutions; includes practice problems.
Chapter 16
Covers alligations; includes practice problems.
Chapter 17
Discusses parenteral calculations, including basic dimensional analysis, flow rates, drop factors, and TPN Milliequivalents; includes practice problems.
Unit 10: Pharmacology
Chapter 18
Discusses dosage formulations and routes of administration; covers sources of drugs, drug nomenclature, medication errors, and extended-release dosage forms.
Chapter 19
Provides an overview of the body and drugs, including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, drug distribution and metabolism, and addiction.
Chapter 20
Covers the various drug classifications.
Unit 11: Body Systems, Diseases and Pharmaceutical Treatments
Chapter 21
Discusses the skin, including anatomy, diseases and conditions, and pharmaceutical treatment of various skin diseases.
Chapter 22
Discusses the eyes and ears, including anatomy and physiology of the eye, diseases of the eyes, eye infections and pharmaceutical treatment, eye disorders, drugs and lubricants for the eyes, the ear, and disorders and diseases of the ear.
Chapter 23
Discusses the gastrointestinal system, including anatomy and physiology of the digestive system, digestion, disorders, nutrition, and food allergies.
Chapter 24
Discusses the musculoskeletal system, including anatomy of the muscles, the bones, musculoskeletal disorders, skeletal muscle relaxants, and spastic diseases.
Chapter 25
Discusses the respiratory system, including function and anatomy; respiration; diseases and conditions; treatment of allergies; cystic fibrosis; and asthma, COPD, and treatments.
Chapter 26
Discusses the cardiovascular, circulatory, and lymph systems, including anatomy, function, and diseases of the heart; coronary artery disease and treatment; and cholesterol.
Chapter 27
Discusses the immune system, including the body’s defense mechanisms, types of infectious organisms, HIV/AIDS, autoimmune diseases, gram staining, methods of transmission of pathogens, anti-invectives, drug resistance, vaccines, and cancer.
Chapter 28
Discusses the renal system, including anatomy and physiology, diseases, conditions and treatments.
Chapter 29
Discusses the endocrine system, including anatomy, hormones, endocrine glands, estrogen replacement therapy, testosterone hormonal replacement, glandular disease states, endocrine system disorders, and abnormalities of the adrenal gland.
Chapter 30
Discusses the male and female reproductive systems and sexually transmitted diseases.
Chapter 31
Discusses the nervous system, including anatomy, neurons, peripheral and central nervous systems, blood-brain barrier, diseases and disorders, stimulants, ADHD and ADD, migraine headaches and cancer pain.
Unit 12: Special Topics in Pharmacology
Chapter 32
Discusses pediatric and neonatal patients, including pharmacological differences, medication administration, medication errors, common childhood illnesses, respiratory diseases and cardiovascular/blood disorders.
Chapter 33
Covers geriatric patients, including physiological factors, nutrition, diseases, disease-drug interactions, noncompliance, polypharmacy and Medicare Part D.
Chapter 34
Provides an overview of biopharmaceuticals, including the FDA approval process, genetic engineering, stem cell research and the political climate.
Unit 13: Professional Development and Medicolegal Ethics
Chapter 1
Discusses how to maintain a professional attire and develop good grooming habits; covers verbal and nonverbal communication.
Chapter 2
Covers medicolegal ethics including ethics in healthcare and codes of ethics; discusses the healthcare record, ownership of healthcare records, corrections, timeliness, and confidentiality.
Unit 14: How to Find a Job
Chapter 1
Covers job search correspondence including resumes and cover letters.
Chapter 2
Discusses job-search techniques such as networking and using online employment search engines.
Chapter 3
Discusses job interviews; explains how to dress for an interview, what to bring to an interview, what to expect during an interview; discusses common questions asked during an interview and how to follow up after an interview.
Pharmacy Technician Training Materials
Blackstone will provide you with the following tools for success in your online Pharmacy Technician training course, which are all included in your tuition:
The Pharmacy Technician: Foundations and Practices by Pearson
This textbook provides a clear understanding of the pharmacy technician profession, including responsibilities, step-by-step directions for performing procedures, basic math and pharmacy calculations practice, and pharmaceutical treatments for common diseases and disorders.
Blackstone Pharmacy Technician Study Guides
These six online study guides will lead you through The Pharmacy Technician: Foundations and Practices textbook, highlighting all of the important points and giving you more practice problems and tips.
Additional Blackstone Study Units
In addition to the six study guides accompanying The Pharmacy Technician: Foundations and Practices textbook, you will receive online access to eight more exclusive Blackstone study units that will introduce you to important topics that will help prepare you for work as a Pharmacy Technician.
Mosby's Drug Reference for Health Professions, by Mosby/Elsevier
This invaluable online reference will give you concise, reliable information on the drugs you will come in contact with in a pharmacy setting. Key details for each drug include drug name, pronunciation, trade name(s), category and schedule, classification, mechanism of action, dosages, side effects, precautions and considerations.
Access to Blackstone's Online Student Center
Along with your textbook and drug reference, you will gain unlimited access to Blackstone's Online Student Center, where you can download your study guides and study units, take exams and receive instantaneous Grade Reports, chat real-time with other students, participate in online discussions, and receive news about Blackstone.
In addition, Blackstone will also provide you with:
Thorough Testing
Fourteen multiple-choice exams and a pharmacology final exam assist us in assessing your understanding of the concepts taught. In addition, there are many self-checks that students can complete throughout the program.
Documents
You will receive an official transcript and a Pharmacy Technician diploma upon successful completion of the entire program. A copy of your transcript will also be on permanent file with Blackstone and is available for a nominal fee.
Ample Time
You have up to one year to complete the Blackstone Pharmacy Technician online course. If additional time is needed, a six-month extension can be purchased.
Instant Grading
Immediate feedback is provided for all exams submitted through the Online Student Center—you will receive an electronic grade report instantly!
Support
Your success in the course is important to us! Any time you need assistance, please contact us. We will be more than happy to assist you with any questions or problems you encounter with the course materials or exams.
Affordable Tuition
Your low tuition cost covers your entire Pharmacy Technician training program including all textbooks, study guides, exam evaluation services, access to the Online Student Center, and your diploma upon graduation.
Credit for Previous Education
Tuition reduction will be considered for equivalent college coursework earning a B or better completed within two years preceding entrance into Blackstone Career Institute. Determination of credit will be made by Blackstone’s Education Department upon receipt and evaluation of an official school transcript and course description prior to enrollment. The amount of financial credit will be determined by program selection. Students are still required to complete all academic exams and assignments, regardless of approved credits.
Paid Postage
Blackstone will pay the postage on all packages we mail within the contiguous United States. AK, HI and international students must call for rates prior to enrollment at 800-826-9228.
Financial Assistance
Blackstone’s financial assistance programs include GI Bill Education Benefits for veterans and the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA program).
Student Tuition Protection Policy
We offer a student tuition protection policy that covers cancellations and refunds. Review our policy using the tuition tab at the top of this page.
Pharmacy Technician Training Course Tuition
A quality education is an investment in your future in the Pharmacy Technician field. Blackstone's online courses are designed to be affordable while providing excellence in education and student services. Tuition is only $3,500* and you can get started in your new career in just one year or less!
*Total cost of $3,500.00 includes a $150.00 registration fee and a $25.00 non-refundable administrative fee.
Go to our Financial Assistance section to review other financing options for military members and their families.
Although we endeavor to keep prospective students updated on any upcoming tuition changes, fees are subject to change without notice at any time prior to your enrollment. Please contact Blackstone if you have any questions regarding the current program tuition.
Your Pharmacy Technician tuition fee includes:
- All instruction, exam evaluation, and grading of homework assignments
- Access to our state-of-the-art Online Student Center
- Full student services and support during your program, including unlimited e-mail, fax, and telephone support
- All new, latest edition textbook and online resources
- Comprehensive and up-to-date online study guides prepared by faculty and reviewed by subject matter experts
- Exam grade reports with references for questions answered incorrectly
- One official school transcript
- An embossed Pharmacy Technician diploma upon completion of program requirements
International Student Policy
International, Alaskan, Hawaiian and Canadian students are required to participate under the full payment plan only. There is an additional charge for shipping/handling of materials. Please refer to the International Training page for requirements or call 800.826.9228 prior to enrollment. AK, HI, Canadian and international students may be required to pay extra duties required by customs authorities at the time of receipt of study material. Here is a helpful online Currency Converter.
Methods of Payment
You may use your Visa, Discover, Master Card, or American Express Card to securely enroll online. You may also pay for your program by money order or check. A returned check fee of $25.00 will apply.
NOTE: To Employed Individuals
Some students may be eligible for full or partial reimbursement of their tuition by their employers. Your company may be able to take advantage of The Employee Education Assistance Act (IRS Code, Section 127). Check with your supervisor or personnel department.
Student Tuition Protection Policy
Review Blackstone Career Institute's cancellation and refund policy below.
Blackstone Career Institute is confident that the course you have selected will be everything we advertise. To assure you of this, we provide this cancellation and refund policy. A student may cancel the program by notifying the school in any manner; a written request is recommended. If you cancel within 5 days from the signature date on your Enrollment Agreement, all monies will be refunded. If you cancel after 5 days from the signature date of your Enrollment Agreement, but prior to receipt by the school of your first exam, you are obligated to a registration fee of 15% of the tuition or $150, whichever is less, and if applicable, the non-refundable administrative fee. If you cancel after submitting the first exam, you are obligated to pay the school the registration fee, the non-refundable administrative fee, plus a percentage of tuition as follows:
A. Up to and including 10% of the exams, 10% of the tuition.
B. After submitting more than 10% up to and including 25% of the exams, 25% of the tuition.
C. After submitting more than 25% up to and including 50% of the exams, 50% of the tuition.
D. After submitting more than 50% of the exams, you owe the school the full tuition.
If you choose to cancel and have paid the school more than the amount as calculated above, all excess payments will be refunded. Students who wish to cancel their enrollment with Blackstone and have a balance due, will have their terms payment processed through their existing credit card or e-check account. A reinstatement fee of $35.00 will be required for the reactivation of any enrollment if requested within 180 days from initial cancellation. Refunds are processed within 30 days to the payee of record. No refunds will be issued after 12 months from the enrollment date.
Pharmacy Technician Career Resources
Career Resources include sites that specifically relate to your career as a pharmacy technician. Find organizations to join and increase your networking abilities. Many of these organizations and associations have their own newsletters or magazines, job databases, and certification exams. You will also find links to other relevant web sites for your career path and books, software or journals that can help as you build your medical and professional knowledge.
Following is a list of resource categories available to Pharmacy Technicians. Click on the category you would like to explore.
- Pharmacy Technician Associations
- Pharmacy Technician Resources
- Job Resources for Pharmacy Technicians
- Reference Sites for Medical Professions
- Books and Journals for the Pharmacy Technician Profession
Pharmacy Technician Associations
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) • Offers the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) for the credentialing of pharmacy technicians and continuing education opportunities.
Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians • Offers the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT), continuing education resources, updates on the top 200 drugs, volunteer opportunities, and more.
American Association of Pharmacy Technicians • Sponsors a yearly convention; provides continuing education programs and services to pharmacy technicians, including a career center.
National Community Pharmacists Association • Membership opportunities for pharmacists and technicians; social networking; conferences; and news items.
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists • Provides news, forums, and membership option with the goal of improving patient safety.
Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy • Online access to several publications and information on public policy and advocacy, including health care reform.
National Association of Chain Drug Stores • Offers membership for companies with four or more retail pharmacies and relevant conferences, news releases and webinars.
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy • Provides Web site and contact information for each of the state Boards of Pharmacy.
Pharmacy Technician Resources
American Institute of the History of Pharmacy • Preserving the scholarly, professional, and popular history of pharmacy.
MedWatch • The FDA’s program for drug and product safety; provides information on safety alerts, drug safety labeling changes, and allows for the reporting of adverse effects.
Food and Drug Administration • An A to Z guide covering drugs, vaccines, and medical devices, including safety information and recalls.
Drug Enforcement Administration • Provides information on controlled substances.
Drug Infonet • Drug and disease information; health news; and links to hospitals, medical references and health organizations.
U.S. Pharmacist • Pharmacy news and trends; continuing education.
Job Resources for Pharmacy Technicians
U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics • Occupational Outlook Handbook for Pharmacy Technicians
Rx Career Center • Large collection of pharmacy jobs by specialty or state.
Biohealthmatics.com • Search Pharmacy Technician job postings, articles, forums, events, conferences, and company profiles.
Healthcare Jobs • Search jobs, post your resume, or sign up to receive job listings automatically by e-mail.
HealthPro • Job board for pharmacy professionals.
HealthServicesJobs.com • Post your resume and create your portfolio, research the latest trends in your industry, and search for jobs.
Absolutely Healthcare • Browse healthcare and medical jobs, post your resume, review salary data, and set up a job search agent.
MedicalWorkers.com • Browse jobs by title, state or company name in a wide variety of healthcare fields.
Reference Sites for Medical Professions
Online Medical Dictionaries
Mondofacto • Includes abbreviations, suffixes, prefixes and acronyms.
Medline Plus • A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health
Medical Dictionary Online • Definitions of medical terminology, pharmaceutical drugs, healthcare equipment, health conditions, medical devices, specialty terms and medical abbreviations
Other Reference Sites
American Medical Association Atlas of the Body
Discoveryhealth.com Human Body Atlas • Interactive body atlas for common diseases and disorders
Acronyms and Initialisms for Health Information Resources
National Library of Medicine • The world’s largest medical library by the National Institutes of Health
Current Medical News Sources • Reliable information and timely news stories about medical research
Reuters Health • World's leading provider of medical and healthcare news
MedicineNet.com • Reliable doctor-produced health and medical information
Library of the National Medical Society • Online subscription available for disease diagnosis, treatment, textbooks, journals and archives
Books, Journals and Software for the Pharmacy Technician Profession
American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy • Online journal available to subscribers and ASHP members.
Pharmacy Technician’s Letter • Subscribers have access to information on new drug developments and newly approved drugs.
Pharmacy Times • Publishes issues pertinent to the pharmacy; provides online archives and an e-mail newsletter
The Journal of Pharmacy Technology • Provides information on new drugs, products, equipment, trends, drug administration and continuing education for pharmacists and technicians.
Generic Brand Reference • Free copy available to pharmacists and technicians through Mylan Pharmaceuticals
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Blackstone Career Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council, Washington D.C., regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools, Philadelphia, PA and licensed by the State Board of Private Licensed Schools, Department of Education, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
BCI provides an excellent foundation for anyone interested in earning a career diploma from home. With more than a century of expertise, Blackstone offers a committed, responsive faculty and a quality education, all at an affordable rate.