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Course Name
Pharmacy Technician National Certification Exam Preparation Course

Contact Hours: 24

Course Description
PLEASE NOTE: Enrollment in this course does not include site location of any clinical work for onsite training as may be required for full certification testing or site location for National Certification testing. Students are responsible for finding locations in their area where clinical work and national testing can be done as well as other information regarding exam scheduling or time limitations.

The course includes review of the following topics.

Pharmacology Review – Pharmacology can be an intimidating subject, but not when you are reading our material! Every section is written in easy-to-understand language. You will study side effects, drug interactions, mechanisms of action and other important information about major drug classifications.

Pharmacy Calculations – The National focuses heavily on math and because of this, the Calculations Review by itself is worth the price of this course! Most Pharmacy Technicians are not confident in their ability to perform difficult Pharmacy Calculations. Teaching calculations is definitely our specialty!

The Course begins at the VERY beginning and gives you complete explanations and easy-to-follow sample problems for each math skill you need to learn. Then, we complete your training with lots and lots of homework problems. Miscellaneous

Pharmacy Topics – There are so many areas of Pharmacy to study that we have put together a “Miscellaneous Topics” section for our students. Don’t get caught without information on Pharmacy Law, Pregnancy Restrictions, Extemporaneous and IV Compounding, Medication Storage Requirements, Pharmacy Reference Books, DEA and NDC Numbers and so much more! Support – You have access to your course from ANY computer with an internet connection. Study at a local library, a friend’s house or from the comfort of your own home! Have a question? Need help? No question is too tough for our support staff! Access our industry-leading instructors 24 hours a day by email and get quick responses to your questions!


Outcome

Our approach to Certification Preparation is truly unique. We understand that our students have busy lives and a limited amount of time to focus on this exam. That’s why we provide you with a stream-lined approach to studying! You will not find pages and chapters of information you don’t need. The course contains only that information that is critical to your success! Upon completion of this course and the assessments, you will be well-prepared to take and pass this difficult exam. Don’t take chances with your career – get the Advantage today!


Assessment

What’s the point in reading and studying if you are simply going to panic and forget everything on the exam? That’s why we offer assessments at every turn! You will see how much you are learning as you work through these assessments. Additionally, once you have completed the assessments, check all of your work against the Answer Keys! You will even find full length, multiple-choice assessment exams to perfect your test-taking abilities.


Outline

National Exam Information and Resource Listings
This section provides general information about the National Exam's format and question categories. You will also find a list of technician resources that you may find helpful as you pursue your career as a pharmacy technician.

Pharmacy Terminology
This Module is full of information that you should commit to memory. This Module includes information on dosage forms, abbreviations, prefixes and suffixes that will help you to figure out the meanings of words you may not have seen before, and lastly, information on physician sig codes. Become very familiar with this Module because you will need to constantly refer back to it to help you with homework questions. Objectives: Upon completion of this module, student will:

a) Be able to identify different dosage forms and benefits of each.

b) Learn and recognize commonly used pharmacy abbreviations.

c) Learn the meanings of commonly used medical prefixes and suffixes.

d) Be able to read and translate common pharmacy "sig codes".

Hospital Pharmacy
For those of you who have never worked in a hospital pharmacy, this Module will help you to understand the differences between hospital and retail settings. Read carefully, as there is a lot of information regarding topics which may be unfamiliar to those who have worked exclusively in a retail environment. Objectives: Upon completion of this module, student will:

a) Be able to explain how medication orders are processed within a hospital.

b) Be able to explain what a hospital formulary is and what purpose it serves.

c) Be able to discuss the purpose of compounding IV products inside laminar flow hoods.

d) Describe in detail a HEPA filter and its function.

e) Become familiar with the use of aseptic technique to maintain product sterility.

f) Know the difference between horizontal and vertical laminar flow hoods.

g) Know the key aspects of hospital compounding technique.

h) Be able to identify the major types of IV compounds made in a hospital setting.

Extemporaneous Compounding
This chapter describes and discusses in great detail the tools and techniques involved with extemporaneous compounding. You will also find descriptions of commonly compounded dosage forms. Objectives: Upon completion of this module, student will:

a) Be able to list common types of extemporaneous compounds.

b) Study techniques and tools used to compound different dosage forms.

c) Learn the differences between commonly compounded dosage forms.

d) Be able to recognize common drug vehicles used in extemporaneous compounding.

e) Become familiar with all stated pharmacy medication repackaging information.

Pharmacy Law
This Module will provide you with information on the types of duties which pharmacy technicians are legally allowed and not allowed to perform. You will also find a basic history of the major legislation that has affected pharmacy and shaped its laws today. Lastly, there is a small section on controlled substances. Make sure you know the difference between all of the schedules (Schedules I, II, III, IV and V) and an example or two from each. Objectives: Upon completion of this module, student will:

a) Be able to identify those duties that technicians can legally perform.

b) Identify those duties that technicians cannot legally perform.

c) Know the difference between legend and non-legend drugs.

d) Understand the specific differences between Schedule I, II, III, IV, V and non-controlled classifications.

e) Know the legal requirements and limitations surrounding refills for Scheduled and Non-Scheduled medication.

f) Be able to list and understand the five patient "rights".

Pharmacology
This Pharmacology Overview is designed to give you a basic education in pharmacology. Read these pages as you would read a textbook. You may wish to mark important information on flash cards so that you can review it at any time in the future. Objectives: Upon completion of this module, student will:

a) Become familiar with the major classifications of drugs and their indicated uses.

b) Learn the basic principles of pharmacology of the major classes of medications.

c) Using the Quickview guides, memorize the brand, generic, indications and classifications of the most popular medications.

Pharmacy Math
This Module covers a lot of material! Pharmacy math is a big topic with a lot of components that you might be surprised to find. In this section information will be provided on: Roman Numerals; Metric System Conversions: Fraction/Decimal/Ratio/Percents; Cross Multiplication; Apothecary/Metric/Household Conversion; Body Weight Conversions; Insulin Calculations; IV Solutions (Standard); Percent Solutions, IV Drip Rate Calculations;Allegations; Standard and Military Time; and Pharmacoeconomics. Many students believe they will have the most trouble with this Module. Keep your outlook positive! There are lots of people available and willing to help you! Begin slowly and read all of the instructions very carefully. Some of the initial problems may be remedial, but I encourage you to do them anyway. This will get your "math wheels" turning. Try and do a little each day. Print the homework as necessary and write out your solutions on a piece of paper. Do it over and over again until you are confident. Become comfortable using a calculator and bring one to the exam. Nothing fancy, a checkbook calculator is fine. Objectives: Upon completion of this module, student will:

a) Be able to perform standard metric conversions.

b) Convert back and forth between fractions, decimals, percents and ratios.

c) Be able to convert from apothecary to household to metric units.

d) Become familiar with commonly used IV stock solutions.

e) Determine amounts needed of different strength solutions to make a non-standard dose.

f) Convert back and forth between military and standard time.

g) Convert back and forth between kg and lb.

h) Calculate patient doses based on body weight.

i) Find the rate an IV solution is to run at, based on a physician's order.

j) Calculate insulin doses in mLs.

k) Know basic principles of and calculations for pharmacoeconomics.

Miscellaneous Pharmacy Topics
The topics included in this Module fall under a miscellaneous category in pharmacy education. There is not a great deal of material in this Module, however it is very important that you read and understand this information. Included in this Module you will find information on Pregnancy Restrictions, Poisons and Antidotes, NDC Numbers, and a DEA Number Verification Technique. Objectives: Upon completion of this module, student will:

a) Study the different pregnancy classifications and the degree of potential harms for each class.

b) Memorize commonly used drugs that can be potentially lethal, and their antidotes.

c) Learn what all three fields in an NDC (National Drug Cod e) number signify.

d) Be able to verify the validity of a prescriber's DEA number using a quick calculation.

e) Be able to determine the best pharmacy resource to use based on the information needed.

f) Study various storage requirements and cautions for different types of medications.

g) Become familiar with FDA recall policy and know the three classes of FDA recalls.

Skills Assessment Exams with Answer Keys
After completing all of the course material, take these assessment exams to test your knowledge. Use these assessment exams as a "mini study guide" for your final exam preparation.

Standard); Percent Solutions, IV Drip Rate Calculations;Allegations; Standard and Military Time; and Pharmacoeconomics. Many students believe they will have the most trouble with this Module. Keep your outlook positive! There are lots of people available and willing to help you! Begin slowly and read all of the instructions very carefully. Some of the initial problems may be remedial, but I encourage you to do them anyway. This will get your "math wheels" turning. Try and do a little each day. Print the homework as necessary and write out your solutions on a piece of paper. Do it over and over again until you are confident. Become comfortable using a calculator and bring one to the exam. Nothing fancy, a checkbook calculator is fine. Objectives: Upon completion of this module, student will:


a) Be able to perform standard metric conversions.

b) Convert back and forth between fractions, decimals, percents and ratios.

c) Be able to convert from apothecary to household to metric units.

d) Become familiar with commonly used IV stock solutions.

e) Determine amounts needed of different strength solutions to make a non-standard dose.

f) Convert back and forth between military and standard time.

g) Convert back and forth between kg and lb.

h) Calculate patient doses based on body weight.

i) Find the rate an IV solution is to run at, based on a physician's order.

j) Calculate insulin doses in mLs.

k) Know basic principles of and calculations for pharmacoeconomics.

Miscellaneous Pharmacy Topics
The topics included in this Module fall under a miscellaneous category in pharmacy education. There is not a great deal of material in this Module, however it is very important that you read and understand this information. Included in this Module you will find information on Pregnancy Restrictions, Poisons and Antidotes, NDC Numbers, and a DEA Number Verification Technique. Objectives: Upon completionof this module, student will:

a) Study the different pregnancy classifications and the degree of potential harms for each class.

b) Memorize commonly used drugs that can be potentially lethal, and their antidotes.

c) Learn what all three fields in an NDC (National Drug Cod e) number signify.

d) Be able to verify the validity of a prescriber's DEA number using a quick calculation.

e) Be able to determine the best pharmacy resource to use based on the information needed.

f) Study various storage requirements and cautions for different types of medications.

g) Become familiar with FDA recall policy and know the three classes of FDA recalls.

Skills Assessment Exams with Answer Keys
After completing all of the course material, take these assessment exams to test your knowledge. Use these assessment exams as a "mini study guide" for your final exam preparation.