Five semesters
Associate in Applied Science
Pharmacy Technology is a five-semester program, which combines classroom instruction with laboratory work and clinical experience to prepare students for employment as technicians. The pharmacy technician works under the supervision of registered pharmacists in hospitals, health care agencies, and retail outlets.
Pharmacy Technology combines classroom instruction with laboratory work and clinical experience to prepare students for employment and advancement in the pharmacy field. Pharmacy technicians assist and support licensed pharmacists in providing direct patient care and medications to patients. Pharmacy technicians must work under the direction of a registered pharmacist.
Students learn about pharmacology through an overview of drug classifications, common drug side effects, drug use and abuse, FDA testing, and biotransformation of drugs in the human body. The curriculum also includes therapeutic classification of drugs, generic and trade names, transcription abbreviations, and pharmacy math and dosage calculations. The program of study familiarizes the student with methods of drug preparation, packaging and distribution as well as the functions and services provided by the hospital and retail pharmacy. The program includes practical learning experiences in community settings.
The Program is accredited by:
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
and Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
7272 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Pharmacy technician employers include pharmacies based in hospitals, retail settings, home health care, nursing homes, clinics, nuclear medicine settings and mail order prescription companies. Nontraditional employers for pharmacy technicians include medical insurance companies, medical computer software companies, drug manufacturing companies, drug wholesale companies, and food processing companies.
Learn more about Pharmacy Salary Information:
Payscale.com
Bis.gov
Our pharmacy program partners with PioneerRx. PioneerRx enhances our curriculum with a hands-on approach to learning that simulates the functions and workflow of today’s most innovative pharmacies. For more information, visit https://www.pioneerrx.com/.
Stephanie Jones
Instructor
Home and Health Building Room 106 B
(601) 477-4230
stephanie.jones@jcjc.edu
Tracey Parker
Instructor
Home and Health Building Room 106 B
(601) 477-4230
tracey.parker@jcjc.edu
PHM 1111 – Pharmacy Technician Fundamentals
Introductory course which gives an overview of the pharmacy
technician career and opportunities open to certified pharmacy technicians. Topics discussed include professional
literature, the pharmacist-technician relationship, pharmacy ethics, effective communication, brief history of health
care, and pharmacy and hospital organization and department functions. The course is designed to introduce the student
to the pharmacy technician program. One semester credit hour: One hour lecture.
PHM 1123 – Pharmacy Law
Legal aspects of pharmacy practice will be discussed including accountability, the
Food and Drug Administration, the Controlled Substance Act, the Poison Prevention Act, OBRA ’90, HIPPA, and
Mississippi State Law. Three semester credit hours: Three hours lecture.
PHM 1212 – Computer Application in Pharmacy
This course will enable the student to have a comprehensive
understanding of pharmacy computer systems as well as give students hands-on operation experience. Two semester credit hours: Four hours lab.
PHM 1313 – Pharmacy Math and Dosage Calculations
Prerequisite MAT 1234 - Instruction includes the proper use of
the metric, apothecary, and avoirdupois systems. Conversion between the systems is mastered. Applications of formula,
calculations of fractional dosages, percentage preparation, and methods of calculating dosages for all drug forms are
studied. Review of calculations dealing with ratio and proportion, percentages, ratio strength, reducing and enlarging
formulas and dilution, and concentration problems are presented. Three hours lecture. Three semester credit hours.
PHM 1413 – Pharmacy Anatomy and Physiology
This course is a study of body structure essential to safe and effective
pharmaceutical care. Each body system is covered including applications to the field of pharmacy. Three semester
credit hours: Three hours lecture.
PHM 1424 – Pharmacology I
A study of human disease processes and rational pharmacokinetics relating to
antimicrobial therapy, antiviral therapy, anesthetics, narcotics, psychiatric drugs, CNS disorders and treatments, and
respiratory related drugs. Drug nomenclature is emphasized along with drug indications, contradictions, mechanism of
action, side effects, dosages and methods of administration including how these principles can be utilized in pharmacy
practice. Four semester credit hours: Four hours lecture.
PHM 1512 – Pharmaceutical Compounding
This course is a study of the concepts of design, preparation, use, and evaluation of solid and semisolid dosage forms. Specific topics include powders, tablets, capsules, coated dosage
forms, suspensions, emulsions, magmas, gels, lotions, ointments, creams, pastes, suppositories, transdermal systems,
sustained release products, and novel drug delivery systems. Exercises in computer application, prescription and
physician order interpretation and the introduction of extemporaneous compounding are performed in the laboratory.
Two semester credit hours: One hour lecture and two hours lab.
PHM 1525 – Pharmacy Practice
This course is intended to acquaint the student with medication distribution systems
utilized in retail and hospital pharmacy, including processing of individual prescriptions, floor stock distribution, unit
dose systems, and IV admixture. Topics discussed include hazardous waste handling, infection control, principles of quality assurance, and equipment use and maintenance. Exercises in packaging, unit dose functions, retail pharmacy
functions and aseptic compounding and parenteral admixture, and use of computer database systems will be performed
in the laboratory. Five semester credit hours: Three hours lecture and four hours lab.
PHM 2434 – Pharmacology II
A study of human disease processes and rational pharmacokinetics relating to drugs
for gastrointestinal and related diseases, renal system drugs, drugs for cardiovascular disease, drugs for muscle
and joint disease, hormonal disorders and reproduction, topically applied drugs, ophthalmic and optic medications,
chemotherapy, vitamins, electrolytes, nutrition and antidotes. Drug nomenclature is emphasized along with drug
indications, contradictions, mechanism of action, side effects, dosage and methods of administration including how
these principles can be utilized in pharmacy practice. Four semester credit hours: Four hours lecture.
PHM 2534 – Nonprescription Drugs and Devices
This course reviews the categories of the over-the-counter
medications, explains the types and procedures of home monitoring equipment, and provides guidelines for patient counseling. Durable and surgical/nondurable medical products are explained. Highlights concepts of vitamins, herbs,
and nutritional supplements, and the nontraditional treatment options. Four semester credit hours: Four hours lecture.
PHM 2543 – Drug Information Research
This course includes the discussion of the concepts of obtaining pertinent
patient information and data collection including patient medical record, patient interviews, drug use reviews, literature
resources, and problem solving. Three semester credit hours: Two hours lecture and two hours lab.
PHM 2614 – Practicum I
Application of the basic pharmacist technician concepts in community and hospital pharmacy,
home health, and extended care settings. Emphasis is placed on functions associated with drug distribution system.
Four semester credit hours: Twenty-four hours clinical.
PHM 2624 – Practicum II
Progression of internship rotations in community, hospitals and medical centers or
pharmaceutical manufacturers. Emphasis is placed on intravenous preparations, total parenteral nutrition, and
chemotherapy preparations, and the use of controlled and investigational drugs in an institution. Four semester credit
hours: Twelve hours clinical.
PHM 2634 – Practicum III
Continuation of Pharmacist Technician Practicum II. Advanced level internship rotations
in community, hospitals, medical centers, or pharmaceutical manufacturers. Emphasis is placed on intravenous
preparations, total parenteral nutrition, and chemotherapy. Four semester credit hours: Twelve hours clinical.
PHM 2714 – Pharmacy Management
This course includes discussion of pharmacy functions relating to policies and
procedures, drug purchasing, inventory control, drug recalls and returns, and maintaining transaction records. The
class will explore several retail functions such as payments, billing, oral and written communications, computer data
collection, and drug merchandising. Four semester credit hours: Four hours lecture.
PHM 2813 – Pharmacy Transition
This course further develops decision-making skills and promotes an interest in
continued professional development. Employment opportunities and responsibilities as well as preparation for the
National Certification Exam are emphasized. Three semester credit hours: Three hours lecture.