The Pharmacy Technology Program is a competency-based educational program designed to provide for the development of skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to function as a pharmacy technician in the health care delivery system. Competency attainment includes skills in oral and written communication, computer literacy, and skills related to pharmacology, law, calculations, and pharmacy management. Opportunities are provided for students to work under the direct supervision of the pharmacist in institutional, retail, and long-term care settings.
The 41 credit-hour curriculum was developed in compliance with the American Society of Health System Pharmacists’ guidelines for Pharmacy Technology Programs. Students who successfully complete the Pharmacy Technology Program and pass a national certification examination may apply for positions in hospitals, clinics, medical practices, and retail settings.
Student Learning Outcomes
The student learning outcomes for the Certificate in Pharmacy Technology are presented below:
- Program completers will be academically well- prepared to enter the workforce as Certified Pharmacy Technicians.
- Program completers will be clinically well-prepared to enter the workforce as Certified Pharmacy Technicians.
- Program completers will be able to calculate proper medication dosage.
- Program completers will be able to recognize drug interactions, contraindications, allergies, and other factors that would endanger a patient’s health and take appropriate actions within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated.
- Program completers will be able to provide pharmaceutical care in a diversified setting (i.e., retail, hospital, long-term care, etc.).
- Program completers will have an understanding of the patient as a person and when interacting with that patient will do so in a caring and compassionate manner.
- Program completers will utilize knowledge regarding infection transmission to prevent the spread of infection in patient care environment.
- Program completers will interact professionally with patients, pharmacists, other health care professionals and with the public.
- Program completers will demonstrate ethical behavior and maintain confidentiality in terms of patient care.
- Program completers will be able to maintain inventory control, price prescriptions, update price increases, and other business functions necessary in the business of pharmacy.
- Program completers will demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning by attending continuing education programs.
- Program completers will be able to use aseptic technique in the preparation of I.V. fluids and cytotoxic agents.
- Program completers will be able to use computers and pharmacy software effectively.
- Program completers will be able to relate pharmacological principles to common disease processes.
- Program completers will be able to achieve a high level of employer satisfaction.
Accreditation
The Pharmacy Technology Program is accredited by ASHP (American Society of Health- System Pharmacists), 7272 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814, phone (301) 657-3000, fax (601) 664-8877. www.ashp.org
Institutional Affiliations
- CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital
- LSUHSCH Huey P. Long Medical Center
- Rapides Regional Medical Center
- Veterans Administration Medical Center
- Retail Pharmacies
- Institutional Pharmacies (Multiple locations in Central Louisiana)
Program Resources
Clinical Rotation
Following completion of prerequisite courses, selected
students will enter the clinical phase of the pharmacy technology program. The
clinical phase of the program consist of training in the programs simulation
lab, plus rotations at affiliated hospital and retail pharmacies.
In the simulation lab, students will use PioneerRx software which allows them to
experience pharmacy management scenarios used in the day to day operation of a
pharmacy. To learn more about PioneerRx, visit their website at https://www.pioneerrx.com Using PioneerRX
software LSUA students learn how to perform the following:
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Add new patients to a database
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Fill and refill prescriptions
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Determine possible adverse reactions
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Examine a patient’s prescription history and add relevant medical conditions
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Identify potential allergic reactions to medications
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Use case study scenarios that include in-depth pharmacy tasks such as refill-too-soon, DUR’s PA’s, inventory, and how to resolve other third party claims, etc.