Health Sciences Pharmacy Technician

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION PROGRAMME GOALS

This programme prepares students for employment in the pharmacy technician field. Through direct instruction, interactive skills demonstration, and practice assignments, students will be introduced to pharmacy practice, including its history, the role of the technician in various practice settings, pharmacy ethics and professionalism, calculations and measurements, pharmacy law, medical terminology, pharmacy automation, and employability skills. Participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to practise safe medication preparation and dispensation in accordance with the Pharmacy Regulation Act (St Christopher & Nevis Pharmacy Bill, pg. 6, 2012).

The Pharmacy Technician programme reflects current and future pharmacy technician functions and responsibilities at the entry level. The main goal of the programme is to prepare competent and ethical pharmacy technicians who can:

1. Assist pharmacists in safely and efficiently preparing and dispensing medications, including accurately filling prescriptions, compounding medications, and managing inventory.
2. Demonstrate a strong understanding of pharmaceutical terminology, calculations, and laws and regulations to ensure compliance and patient safety.
3. Provide excellent customer service and communicate effectively with patients and healthcare professionals, including answering questions, processing payments, and maintaining patient confidentiality.
4. Maintain accurate and organized records, which are critical to inventory management, prescription tracking, and regulatory compliance.
5. Demonstrate proficiency in using pharmacy software and technology, including electronic health records, automated dispensing systems, and other relevant tools.
6. Adhere to professional and ethical standards such as maintaining patient confidentiality, respecting diversity, and demonstrating integrity.
7. Be employed in various pharmacy settings, including retail, hospital, and compounding pharmacies.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the programme, learners will be able to:

1. Compare and contrast the role of the pharmacist and the pharmacist technician in ensuring pharmacy department compliance with professional standards and relevant legal, regulatory or formulary, contractual, and safety requirements.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in areas of science relevant to the role of pharmacy technicians, including anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology.
3. Describe and demonstrate the use of current technology in the healthcare environment to ensure the safety of medication handling.
4. Describe and demonstrate the steps, skills, and knowledge needed to prepare medications requiring compounding sterile, non-sterile, and chemotherapy/hazardous products.
5. Demonstrate and demonstrate correct pharmaceutical calculations and mixing and dispensing of medications.
6. Explain patient and medication safety practices in all aspects of the pharmacy technician’s role.
7. Exhibit personal qualities of integrity, dependability, and professionalism that are essential to effective work environments.

ENTRY/MATRICULATION REQUIREMENTS ➢

The programme is open to individuals 18 years and older. ➢

Mature Entry as per the Policy of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College, describes an individual 25 years and older who has been in the workforce for more than 3 years.

Pharmacy Technician Programme Structure

Notes:

Internship is for three (3) days/week for eight (8) weeks (188 hrs)
Theory-1 credit is equivalent to 15hrs; labs/tutorial 1credit =30 hours; clinical 1credit =45 hours
Total credit hours by way of the key are 885 for the certificate

• Total Credits: 30
• Total Contact Hours/Week: 38
• Total Lecture Hours: 23
• Total Tutorial Hours: 9
• Total Labs/Clinical Hours: 6
• Foundation Modules – First 6 courses (Intro to Communication through IT for Medical Sciences)
• Core Modules  – Pharmacology I & Pharmacology II
• Other Modules – Professional Development + Internship