The pharmacy technician program at Midwest Technical Institute is designed to prepare students
to enter the pharmacy field at a minimum entry level in hospitals, community (retail)
pharmacies, or clinics, as well as non-traditional settings. Pharmacy Technician students will
be licensed by the State of Illinois and upon completion of this course, be eligible to sit for the
certification exam as a Nationally Certified Pharmacy Technician in the State of Illinois.
Trained pharmacy technicians are extremely valuable in healthcare environments. The pharmacy
technician may act as an intermediary between the physician and pharmacist, and as an
advocate for patients. Pharmacy technicians must be extremely responsible, accurate and efficient
professional at all times. Strong communication skills and the ability to work as a team
with a positive attitude are desired characteristics. More and more employers desire or require
certification/formal training as reliance on pharmacy technicians grows. Employers, often pharmacists,
know that individuals with formal training have a standardized body of knowledge and
skills necessary for the success of their business and the safety and well-being of the patients/
clients they serve.
Course subject descriptions are as follows:
FIRST TERM
PHP 100 Orientation to Pharmacy Practice 30 clock hours/lecture/2 credits
In this subject the duties and responsibilities of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, types of
pharmacies and work environments are discussed. Topics include definitions of a pharmacy
environment, the profile of a pharmacy technician, legal and ethical guidelines, job skills, duties,
pharmacy organizations, management of change, certification, and verbal and written communication
skills. In addition, professional resources and safety techniques, collecting, organizing
and evaluating information, purchase of pharmaceuticals devices and supplies are introduced
to students.
THY 200 Therapeutic Agents of Body Systems I 45 clock hours/lecture/3 credits
This is a study of therapeutic agents, their classifications, properties, actions and effects on the
human body and their role in the management of disease, as it relates to each system of the
body. Drug dosages, side effects, interactions, toxicities and incompatibilities are covered.
PC 101 Computer Applications for Pharmacy Technician 45 clock hours/15 lecture/30 lab/2 credits
This course will focus on the utilization of computer technology in a pharmacy setting. Ambulatory
care systems and institutional systems will be addressed. Entering physician orders, patient
information, performing inventory via computer systems will all be addressed. Students
will also be introduced to word processing, creating documents and the process of producing a
document. Keyboarding speed will also be a major topic discussed and practiced. Control of
inventory, collection of payment (billing) will also be discussed and practiced.
PHP 110 Community Pharmacy Practice 60 clock hours/30 lecture/30 lab/3 credits
This course introduces the student to the retail or ambulatory pharmacy and the technician’s
role. Students will learn skills necessary to interpret, prepare, label and maintain records of
physician’s medication orders and prescription in a community pharmacy. Topics include superior
customer service, count and pour techniques, supply, inventory, data entry, drug selection
and preparation, medication safety, monitoring medication therapy, over-the-counter drugs, and
stock levels. Identification of patients for counseling will be discussed and practiced. Assessment
of medication orders/prescriptions, and medication distribution will also be discussed.
SECOND TERM
PHY 110 Pharmaceutical Calculations 45 clock hours/15 lecture/30 lab/2 credits
This course covers pharmaceutical mathematics needed to be a success in pharmacy application.
It also covers calculations specific to the preparation and distribution of medications.
Topics include ratio and proportion, dilution and concentration, milliequivalent units and intravenous
flow rates. Metric system and percentages are also studied.
THY 210 Therapeutic Agents of Body Systems II 45 clock hours/lecture/3 credits
This is a continued study of therapeutic agents, their classifications, properties, actions and effects
on the human body and their role in the management of disease, related to each system of
the body. Drug dosages, side effects, interactions, toxicities and incompatibilities are covered.
PC 102 Computerized Drug Delivery System 30 clock hours/30 lecture/2 credits
This course is an overview of current pharmacy technology, including equipment and devices
for drug distribution, preparation and manufacturing. Topics will include mechanical, automatic
and non-conventional drug delivery systems. Investigational medication products will
also be covered. Maintenance of equipment and facilities are also a part of this subject.
PHP 120 Institutional Pharmacy Practice 60 clock hours/30 lecture/2 credits
This course will instruct students on various types of medication distribution systems. Students
will learn to interpret hospital orders and fill unit dose orders. Unit dose prepackaging, unit
dose cart fill, dose calculations and floor stock medications will be covered. Researching
online for various drug information questions is also covered. Pharmacy organization work
flow, inpatient drug distribution systems, drug storage and inventory control are also topics to
be covered. Home care practice, long term care, and acute care practice are also a part of this
subject.
THIRD TERM
PD 101 Professional Development 30 clock hours/lecture/2 credits
Students will discuss and learn to practice the elements of personal success in this course. Students
learn to evaluate their strengths by assessing qualifications for career choices, learning
successful interviewing strategies, developing resumes and cover letters. Projecting a professional
manner and image in the workplace is also introduced to students.
THY 220 Therapeutic Agents of Body Systems III 45 clock hours/lecture/3 credits
This is a continued study of therapeutic agents, their classifications, properties, actions and effects
on the human body and their role in the management of disease, related to each system of
the body. Drug dosages, side effects, interactions, toxicities and incompatibilities are covered.
Systems studied include integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular,
respiratory, GI systems, reproductive and urinary.
PHY 120 Pharmacy Law and Ethics 45 clock hours/lecture/3 credits
This subject introduces the student to laws that govern pharmacies as well as good ethical practices.
Federal and state laws, and legal and ethical constraints involving technicians and pharmacists
in a variety of settings will be discussed.
MED 110 Intravenous Admixture and Sterile Products 60 clock hours/30 lecture/30 lab/3 credits
This subject focuses on the preparation of intravenous solutions including irrigation solutions
and ophthalmic preparations. Sterile products, hand washing techniques, pharmaceutical calculations,
references, safety techniques in preparation compounding, proper use of equipment,
preparation of sterile products, safe handling of antineoplastic drugs, and hazardous medication
products are covered.
FOURTH TERM
PHY 200 Externship 135 Externship hours/3 credits
In the fourth term, students will meet with their Externship Coordinator to begin planning their
externships. The externship is required for all students and must be completed to be eligible for
graduation and to receive their diploma. To qualify for the externship phase of the program, a
student must first have met the 2.0 G.P.A. or re-taking a subject, a score of 70% or above on the
Comprehensive Class Room Final Exam, have an over-all attendance of 90% in his or her
medical subjects, have received a TB Skin Test, TET, MMR, and Hep B vaccine, and must submit
to and pass illicit drug use evaluation screening (A POSITIVE DRUG SCREENING WILL
RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL FROM THE PROGRAM).
All work is performed under the direct supervision of licensed medical personnel at the site in
cooperation with MTI’s Externship Coordinator. The current externship sites are Walgreens;
Pekin Hospital; Illinois Cancer Care; Hopedale Hospital; Barnato Pharmacy; Park Courte Pharmacy;
Heartland Community Clinic, Kroger, and Proctor Hospital. Externs are not entitled to
compensation.
Upon successful. completion of all coursework through the third term MTI will provide a background
check and a lab coat.
PHY 130 Pharmacology Technician Certification Review 45 clock hours/lecture/3 credits
This subject reviews major topics from the curriculum that will be covered on the National
Pharmacy Technician Certification examination. |
