Pharmacy Technician   The Pharmacy Technician (PHARM) course provides education and training in the major disciplines of pharmacy operations to include administration and supply, outpatient pharmacy operations, inpatient pharmacy operations, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutics, basic pharmaceutical calculations, and advanced pharmacy practice. This training course includes a Phase 1 resident portion at the METC, and a Phase 2 clinical portion conducted at military and civilian medical treatment facilities. Quality assurance and safety techniques are emphasized throughout the course. Lecture, demonstration, on-line materials, simulations, and laboratory practice are utilized throughout the course. This course provides graduates with technical skills and knowledge required to achieve pharmacy technician entry-level competencies, and meets basic requirements set forth by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Additionally, this course helps the student prepare for the pharmacy technician national certification examination. The course prepares students to perform both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy operations in both traditional and non-traditional pharmacy practice settings.

US Air Force AFSC: Pharmacy Technician Course Length:  714 hours / 18 weeks, 1 day Iterations per year: 5      US Army MOS: Pharmacy Specialist Course Length:  876 hours / 22 weeks, 1 day Iterations per year: 5      US Navy NEC: Pharmacy Technician Course Length:  908 hours / 22 weeks, 4 days Iterations per year: 5   School Code 083 Want more information? Search Instructions

 

The Pharmacy Technician program prepares students to perform both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy operations in both traditional and non-traditional pharmacy practice settings.

The instructional design of this program’s courses is group-lock step. The Pharmacy Technician program is a consolidated program with three military services that has a two phase, field of study schedule. Resident training is first conducted at the METC and then the student transitions to clinical training that is conducted at military and/or civilian medical treatment facilities (MTF).

Upon initial entry to METC, students are provided formal education and training that develops them into entry-level Pharmacy Technicians/Specialists within fixed and deployable medical facilities.

Students will learn the major disciplines of pharmacy operations to include: administration and supply, outpatient pharmacy operations, inpatient pharmacy operations, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutics, basic pharmaceutical calculations, advanced pharmacy practice.

This program provides graduates with technical skills and knowledge required to achieve pharmacy technician entry-level competencies, and meets basic requirements set forth by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists.


Methods of instruction include, but are not limited to: lecture, demonstration, online materials, simulations, laboratory practice, and practical exercises. Quality control and safety techniques are emphasized throughout the program.

Clinical training provides students with clinical knowledge and hands-on experiential training which consists of clinical practicum in a MTF or civilian institution. The program prepares the student to exercise judgment and accept responsibility in performing pharmacy procedures.

Students will train in the areas of: inpatient procedures (IV preparation, maintaining medical carts, emergency crash carts, and ward stock), outpatient procedures (patient check-in, order entry, and disbursing process), and receipt of stock from vendors. Proficiency advancement in clinical applications is determined by the program director and clinical advisor/coordinator on a case-by-case basis.

Accreditation or Related Information

The Pharmacy Technician course is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. (ASHP/ACPE) (www.ashp.org/).

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Telephone: 866-279-0681

Graduates from this course receive 31 credit hours from the College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS)
 

Credentialing Information

Graduates of this course are eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or National Healthcareer Association ExCPT exam and qualify for the designation Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
 
 

 

METC Information

(210) 808-6382
E-mail:dha.jbsa.j7.mbx.operations-south@health.mil