A pharmacy can have a massive impact on our health and wellbeing. This crucial facility doesn’t just provide access to medications, it provides helpful guidance so patients can use these medications safely and confidently. Pharmacists lead the charge in dispensing and reviewing medications, but they’d struggle to carry out these essentials without solid support from pharmacy technicians.
From managing inventory to processing insurance claims, technicians tackle tasks that, although essential, would otherwise prevent pharmacists from focusing on clinical matters. These tasks can be complex, requiring in-depth training across diverse topics, including anatomy, pharmacology, healthcare ethics, and more. Pharmacy technology training provides a valuable introduction to these areas, providing the education needed to excel in the fast-paced pharmacy setting.
What Is Pharmacy Technology?
Pharmacy technology involves the operational side of the pharmacy, especially the tools and processes that are used to safely prepare and dispense medications. This discipline brings a structured approach to supporting pharmacists and entire healthcare systems through medication management.[1] Key areas include prescription interpretation, medication labeling, precise record-keeping, and infection control, with ethics and regulatory compliance always prioritized.
While the term “pharmacy technology” describes supportive functions within the pharmacy, the professionals involved in this discipline are typically referred to as pharmacy technicians.[2] These multi-skilled professionals handle many administrative and customer service tasks within the pharmacy. They may be referred to as “extenders” because they extend the reach of the modern pharmacist while supporting the overall flow of the contemporary pharmacy.[3]
The Skills Behind Pharmacy Technology
Pharmacy technology is an applied discipline that combines medication management and administrative tasks with customer or patient communication. Pharmacy technicians must be well-rounded, possessing a wide range of skills. These responsibilities extend beyond preparing and labeling prescriptions to include processing insurance claims, monitoring stock levels, conducting cycle counts, and assisting patients in understanding pharmacy services.[4]
It’s a lot to master and, without the right training, these high expectations can make the pharmacy environment feel overwhelming. A well-rounded Pharmacy Technology program can be a true game-changer. At Carrington College, we’re committed to supporting future pharmacy techs — we want to empower technicians to make a positive difference.
The Carrington College Pharmacy Technology program begins with core foundational coursework. This initial study focuses on the scientific underpinnings of pharmacy technology, specifically the anatomical and pharmacological principles that form the basis of all prescriptions.[5] We then take a sequential approach to introduce advanced topics such as compounding, aseptic technique, and even healthcare ethics. All this is backed by hands-on training, prioritizing the applied pharmacy tech skills that make it possible to meet patients’ diverse needs.
Building a Foundation in Pharmacy Science
Pharmacy science centers around the creation, preparation, and dispensing of medications. These many tasks are shaped by complex interactions within the human body, best explained through the language of anatomy and physiology. These foundational topics play heavily into applied pharmacy technology training and should be mastered early on to ensure success in dosing and labeling.
Understanding Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology
Anatomy and physiology are crucial topics in any healthcare-related field or training program — and pharmacy technology training is no exception. Here, anatomy and physiology provide valuable context so future pharmacy techs can better understand how various drugs impact the human body. Of particular interest are interactions between various medications and the circulatory, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems.
Pathophysiology expands on this, demonstrating how various illnesses or injuries affect humans. Pharmacology highlights possible solutions, revealing how medications work but also highlighting their potential side effects. At Carrington College, these topics are integrated to provide a holistic understanding, linking insights into the human body to practical applications involving medication management.
Learning Pharmaceutical Terminology
Pharmaceutical terminology forms the language of the pharmacy, involving clinical terms and phrasing that promote clear communication among pharmacists, physicians and pharmacy technicians. These terms boost efficiency through standardization, all while improving clarity so that prescriptions are accurately interpreted. This ultimately prevents medication errors while also making the modern pharmacy a more collaborative environment. Pharmacy tech courses can help break down key terms, helping pharmacy techs not only understand industry-relevant phrasing, but also use correct terminology when interacting with pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
Pharmacy Calculations and Computations
From proportions to unit conversions, the math of the pharmacy can be confusing at the outset, but pharmacy tech courses can help in your understanding. Targeted classes delve into the intricacies of compounding calculations, revealing what it takes to correctly measure ingredients and calculate dosages.
This begins with a detailed breakdown of relevant arithmetic processes, including metric, household, and apothecary systems. Math’s influence extends to other practical applications, such as pharmacy-based inventory management and various business practices within retail pharmacies.
Developing Precision Through Lab Practice
Lab experiences are a priority within Carrington College’s Pharmacy Technology program, where theoretical concepts are not limited to the textbook or the classroom — they are reinforced through immersive activities.
Carrington College’s lab experiences use advanced training equipment, which helps future pharmacy techs walk through the actual process of filling and reviewing prescriptions. Featuring stocked shelving units and point-of-sale registers, these carefully designed spaces mentally place students in the mindset of pharmacy techs, revealing what it’s like to perform crucial tasks in diverse scenarios and under pressure.
Practicing Prescription Filling and Labeling
Carrington College’s Pharmacy Technology labs bring the unique dynamics of the modern pharmacy to life, showing how to interpret doctor’s orders so that prescriptions can be accurately filled. Hands-on skill development extends beyond the counter to include precise labeling. This hands-on approach also highlights administrative tasks, such as record-keeping and insurance claims.
Compounding and Aseptic Technique
Compounding involves the customized creation of medications, which are tailored to reflect patients’ unique needs. Patients with specific health challenges (such as allergies) may require specialized medications, and pharmacy techs may be involved in the compounding process that accommodates these patients.[6] For this reason, a Pharmaceutical Compounding course at Carrington College is specifically dedicated to compounding; this class also explores packaging and drug distribution.
Also of interest is the aseptic technique, which prevents contamination by establishing strict standards for how drugs, packaging, and other supplies are handled within pharmacy environments.[7] In the Pharmacy Technology program, this is addressed in the context of compounding, revealing what it takes to maintain sterile conditions.
Computerized Pharmacy Systems
Today’s tech-driven pharmacy systems promote accurate recordkeeping via integrated software. These solutions can do it all: track prescriptions, inventory, and even patient information. Pharmacy technicians are expected to navigate these computerized systems with ease, and Carrington College offers this preparation by building high-tech solutions into lab experiences. At Carrington College, project-based learning reveals not only how to enter information into computerized systems, but also how to maintain confidentiality and abide by strict industry regulations.
Understanding Pharmacy Law, Ethics, and Safe Practice
The modern pharmacy is governed by a complex series of laws and industry best practices that protect patients while ensuring that these facilities are run safely and ethically.
The Drug Quality and Security Act, for example, sets strict standards for drug compounding so that medications are prepared safely and accurately.[8] HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is also relevant within the pharmacy. HIPAA promotes confidentiality so that sensitive information (such as medical history or prescriptions) is protected when dispensing medications and also when interacting with patients.[9]
Carrington College coursework provides an introduction to relevant rules and regulations and also delves into the many other ethical concerns that can emerge in the modern pharmacy environment. Scenario-based learning experiences help promote critical thinking and ethical judgment, so future pharmacy techs feel equipped to make ethically guided decisions.
Pharmacy Technology Externship Experience
Carrington College currently offers Pharmacy Technology courses online and on-campus. Online courses can offer flexibility and convenience making it easier to juggle college-based training with busy work schedules. Eventually, however, in order to understand how actual pharmacies function, pharmacy tech training needs to move beyond online coursework.
This is where externships can make all the difference. An externship offers essential exposure into the daily life of a pharmacy, including how to deal with high prescription volume, insurance claims, and patient interactions. The externship is a critical part of pharmacy technology training and one of the core advantages of pursuing a certificate with Carrington College.
Start Your Path to a Career in Pharmacy Technology
Discover your place in the modern pharmacy and make a difference for patients and entire communities. Carrington College can help you get a strong start with well-rounded pharmacy technology training. Learn more about what it takes to earn a Certificate in Pharmacy Technology and discover how you can prepare for a smooth transition to your dream pharmacy tech career.
Sources:
[1] Indeed. “Learn About Being a Pharmacy Technician.” https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/careers/what-does-a-pharmacy-technician-do
[2] Ghani, S. “13 Reasons To Become a Pharmacy Technician (With Job Duties).” Indeed. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/reasons-to-become-pharmacy-technician
[3] Taylor, Brooke, et al. “The Community Pharmacy Technician’s Role in the Changing Pharmacy Practice Space.” Innovations in Pharmacy. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8051924/
[4] Indeed. “What Are Pharmacy Technician Skills? (And How To Improve Them).” https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/pharmacy-technician-skills
[5] Carrington College. “Academic Catalog.” https://docs.carrington.edu/catalog/Carrington-College-Catalog-Volume-XI.III.pdf
[6] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers.” https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/compounding-and-fda-questions-and-answers
[7] Kastango, E. “Now, More than Ever, Aseptic Technique Matters.” https://ashpadvantage.com/expert-insight/now-more-than-ever-aseptic-technique-matters/
[8] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA).” https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-supply-chain-integrity/drug-supply-chain-security-act-dscsa
[9] The HIPAA Journal. “HIPAA Compliance for Pharmacies.” https://www.hipaajournal.com/hipaa-compliance-for-pharmacies/