Pharmacy Technician Skills Guide

Recommended High School Level Background Courses

*Biology (one year of high school biology with a grade of C or higher is strongly recommended)
*Anatomy
Physiology
*Psychology
*Sociology
*Composition
Speech
Accounting
Keyboarding

* Courses available in the Academic Achievement Center or High School Completion Center

Basic Skills in the Program and on the Job

Reading

Students must meet a minimum proficiency score on a reading assessment for admission into the Pharmacy Technician program. Textbooks are the primary reading materials used in the program for instruction and testing. These technical texts in anatomy, pharmacology, and medical terminology are written at a college level. Prior to attending class in their pharmaceutical courses, students are expected to study textbook chapters and PowerPoints, take chapter quizzes, and complete workbook activities.

On the job, technicians read medical terms and abbreviations related to prescriptions, including brand and generic drug names, dosages, and names of pharmaceutical companies.

View more information on reading skills in the Pharmacy Technician program.

Language

Strong listening and speaking skills are important in the classroom and on the job. Students in the Pharmacy Technician program must take notes on lectures and make class presentations using PowerPoint. During internships in retail and clinical settings, they learn to provide customer phone service, process orders, and explain insurance decisions to customers. They function as team members with pharmacists and other technicians.

Students must meet a minimum proficiency score on a writing assessment for admission into the Pharmacy Technician program. They take Composition I (ENG105), usually in their second semester; in program courses they use e-mail and do some short written assignments. Writing requirements on the job are generally limited to completing electronic forms, where attention to detail for accuracy in recording prescriptions is essential.

View more information on language skills in the Pharmacy Technician program.

Math

Students must meet a minimum proficiency score on a math assessment for admission into the Pharmacy Technician program. Basic math skills are required both in the program and on the job: whole numbers, fractions, decimals, per cents, and unit conversions. In Pharmacy Calculating and Compounding (PHR135), students apply these skills to learn dosage calculations and conversions using English, metric, avoirdupois, and apothecary systems. They are also taught how to use both Fahrenheit and Celsius to measure temperatures and to make temperature conversions. These skills are tested on pharmacy technician certification exams.

View more information on math skills in the Pharmacy Technician program.

Learning

Strong study skills, including time management and organizational skills, are essential for success in this program. Students must be prepared not only to set aside adequate study time outside of class, but also to meet the attendance requirements of internships.

Cause-effect thinking is central to this program as students learn insurance policy regulations, the physiological effects of medications, and drug interactions.

View more information on learning skills in the Pharmacy Technician program.

Computer

Basic computer skills (including keyboarding and ten-key, word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, e-mail, and use of Internet resources) are required in the Pharmacy Technician program. Students must meet a minimum proficiency score on a keyboarding test for program admission; if they need to increase speed or accuracy, they must take Introduction to Keyboarding (ADM105) in their first semester. In the work place, technicians regularly use computers to check company addresses on the Internet, take inventory, and input orders, often using codes.

View more information on computer skills in the Pharmacy Technician program.