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:

1. Program completers will be academically well- prepared to enter the workforce as Certified Pharmacy Technicians.
2. Program completers will be clinically  well-prepared to enter the workforce as Certified Pharmacy Technicians.
3. Program completers will be able to calculate proper medication dosage.
4. 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.
5. Program completers will be able to provide pharmaceutical care in a diversified setting (i.e., retail, hospital, long-term care, etc.).
6. 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.
7. Program completers will utilize knowledge regarding infection transmission to prevent the spread of infection in patient care environment.
8. Program completers will interact professionally with patients, pharmacists, other health care professionals and with the public.
9. Program completers will demonstrate ethical behavior and maintain confidentiality in terms of patient care.
10. Program completers will be able to maintain  inventory control, price prescriptions, update price increases, and other business functions necessary in the business of pharmacy.
11. Program completers will demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning by attending continuing education programs.
12. Program completers will be able to use aseptic technique in the preparation of I.V. fluids and cytotoxic agents.
13. Program completers will be able to use computers and pharmacy software effectively.
14. Program completers will be able to relate pharmacological principles to common disease processes.
15. 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)

Admission Requirements

1. Students must meet all requirements for admission to the university on our Applying for Admissions site and have an overall grade point average of at least 2.0.
2. To apply to the program, students must complete an application and return it to the Department of Allied Health by May 1. Depending on the number of students applying, admission may be determined by the students having completed the required courses with the highest grade point average or other factors deemed relevant by the program coordinator or chair of the Department of Allied Health. 

Requirements for Completion

1. Students must complete all curricular requirements of the program.
2. Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all courses required by the curriculum.
3. Students must achieve an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 on all college coursework attempted.
4. Students must be enrolled at LSUA during the semester the certificate will be awarded.
5. Students will receive no credit for courses numbered below 1000, i.e., developmental education courses.

Progression Standards

1. Students must maintain an overall grade point average of at least 2.0.
2. Transfer and continuing students must possess an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher to enroll in or continue in the Pharmacy Technology program.
3. Students must maintain at least a “C” average in all pharmacy technology courses and a satisfactory grade for clinical experiences in order to progress in the sequence.
4. Students must have a grade of “C” or higher in all courses required by the pharmacy technology curriculum in order to graduate with a Certificate in Pharmacy Technology.
5. Students who have unsuccessfully completed a pharmacy technology course (withdrawn after one exam or earned below 70% in theory component) may re-enroll in the course only once.

Program Resources

• Certificate in Pharmacy Technology Audit Form

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:

• Add new patients to a database

• Fill and refill prescriptions

• Determine possible adverse reactions

• Examine a patient’s prescription history and add relevant medical conditions

• Identify potential allergic reactions to medications

• 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.