Pharmacies are expanding their patient care services. As a result, the pharmacy technician will have a more active role in the dispensing of medication, customer care, and administration. With proper training and certification, pharmacy technicians become highly skilled professionals capable of managing the day-to-day operations in community and institutional pharmacies. National certification confirms a technician’s competency and commitment to providing the highest quality care and draws confidence from employers. By their management of routine tasks, pharmacy technicians give pharmacists the freedom to devote their attention to patient counseling and care.
The duties of a pharmacy technician vary by setting and state regulations. In retail or mail-order pharmacies, a technician might receive written prescriptions, request prescription refills, prepare prescriptions, retrieve, count, pour, weigh, and measure medication, and dispense to patients – after a pharmacist checks the order. Other responsibilities may include establishing and maintaining patient profiles, taking stock of prescription and over-the-counter medications, and preparing insurance claims. Pharmacy technicians employed in nursing homes, hospitals, and other institutions may have additional duties such as delivering medication to patient rooms, reading patient charts, and collaborating with other members of the patient care team.
Pharmacy technicians in West Virginia must obtain a license from the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy and, as of July 1 2015, secure national certification.
Ross Medical Education Center
The pharmacy technician program at Ross Medical gives students the necessary information and skills to function as an assistant to a licensed pharmacist. The curriculum covers 900 clock hours of classroom lectures and clinical practice so students acquire a sufficient knowledge base in pharmaceutical and medical terminology and perform the essential functions related to the procurement of drugs. Course topics include introduction to pharmacy, pharmacy operations, basic principles and concepts of mathematics, pharmacy law and ethics, measurement systems and dosage calculations, general pharmacy, non-sterile compounding, pharmaceutical agents for human physiology systems, community and retail pharmacies, sterile compounding, and hospital and health systems. The program will conclude with a 180-hour pharmacy externship. Full-time and part-time students will complete the 66.5-quarter credit program in 36 weeks. Applicants must be 18 years or older and have a high school diploma or GED. A background check is required to participate in the pharmacy externship. Tuition for the program is $14,600.
- Website: https://www.rosseducation.edu/locations/west-virginia/charleston/
- Address: 5707 MacCorkle Avenue, SE, Suite 20, Charleston, West Virginia 25304
- Phone: (866) 815-5578
West Virginia University
West Virginia University prepares students for a career as a pharmacy technician under the direction of a licensed pharmacist. The curriculum combines classroom presentations with on-campus laboratory practice and clinical experiences in a real-world setting for students to develop an understanding of the role and responsibilities of a pharmacy technician. Instructors will emphasize safety in the preparation and delivery of medication and practice in accordance with state laws. Areas of study include pharmacology, dosage calculations, non-sterile compounding, pharmacy terminology, pharmacy law and ethics, pharmacy operations, community and retail pharmacies, and much more. The clinical and community practice experience at local pharmacies will give students an opportunity to use their skills in a real-world setting under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Graduates are eligible to take the PTCB exam for national certification.
- Website: https://www.wvup.edu/
- Address: 300 Campus Drive, Parkersburg, WV 26104-8647
- Phone: 304-424.8000
- Toll-Free: 1-800-WVA-WVUP
- Fax: 304-424.8315
Mountwest Community & Technical College
Students enrolled in the pharmacy technician program at Mountwest Community and Technical College will earn an Associate of Applied Science at the conclusion of the program. A one-year certificate program is also available. They learn how to check the information on a prescription for accuracy, prepare prescription for dispensing, and retrieve, pour, count, weigh, mix, and measure medications. Course requirements include pharmacy practice, pharmacy calculations, sterile products, pharmacology for PHT, interpersonal communication, pharmacy management, and point of care. Students will participate in a clinical internship at an affiliate institutional and community pharmacy. The associate’s degree program requires completion of 63 credit hours. The certificate option is 30 credit hours. Interested persons must submit a completed application for the selective admission program. Applicants must also have a 2.5 GPA from the institution or a high school diploma or GED, a minimum ACT score of 19 in Math and 18 in English. Compass or Accuplacer scores are also accepted. Once accepted, students must maintain a minimum grade C on PHT courses, provide proof of medical insurance, TB test, and Hepatitis B vaccination, Students must also complete a background check. Convicted felons or misdemeanor drug charges will not be eligible for the program. Tuition for WV residents is $162 per credit hour or $1,944 per semester for full-time attendance.
- Website: https://www.mctc.edu/
- Address: One Mountwest Way, Huntington, West Virginia 25701
- Phone: 866-676-5533