Pharmacy Technician

Overview

UC Irvine's Introduction to Pharmacy Practice course prepares students for an exciting career in this high demand field. This course helps pre-health science undergraduate students gain valuable experience in order to enhance their ability for acceptance into graduate school by working as a pharmacy technician in retail pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes and government health agencies. Since many pharmacies are open 18-24 hours each day, working hours can be adapted to a busy student schedule.

Registered pharmacy technicians typically work under the supervision of pharmacists. In this setting, pharmacy technicians can review, transcribe and fill orders from physicians. They also prepare unit dose and multi-dose forms, label orders, enter data and maintain inventory. This course prepares students to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam and gain valuable and unique experiences working in a pharmacy in a retail or hospital setting.

For students who are planning to apply to graduate school in health sciences, this course will give your application a competitive advantage to PharmD, MD, DDS, DO or DVM schools.

Who Should Attend

Students interested in entering the healthcare fields including, Pharmacy, Medicine Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Osteopathic Medicine
Those interested in careers as Pharmacy Technicians
Individuals interested in working in the healthcare system
Medical assistants and pharmacy clerks

Career Insight

Occupational summary for pharmacy technicians.

420,250

Jobs
(2019)

9.9%

Projected Growth
(2019-2029)

^$26k-^$38k

Annual Salary
(25th-75th Percentile)

Program Benefits

Learn pharmacology, drug interactions, trade and generic names of prescription medications, over-the counter medications, herbs and supplements, most commonly dispensed in a pharmacy

This course will prepare students for California Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)

Explain the laws, organizations and regulations governing pharmacy practice

Demonstrate proper medication labeling, dispensing, record keeping, ordering, inventory control, and use of information systems

Perform pharmaceutical calculations

Explain sterile and non-sterile Compounding

Demonstrate knowledge of medication safety and quality assurance in a pharmacy

Course Schedule

The Introduction to Pharmacy Practice course will help prepare you for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician. Becoming a Pharm Tech is a great way to learn about the pharmacy field, enhance your grad school application, and make a little money while in school.

Pharm Techs work in drug, general merchandise, grocery stores and hospitals. They assist pharmacists with dispensing prescription medications to customers and work directly with health professionals.

Introduction to Pharmacy Practice
5-week course

*Note: Because this course is offered through the Division of Continuing Education, not Summer Session, it will not count as part of the “Pay for 8” program.

Course schedules are subject to change.

About the Professor

Professor Plon received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Southern California. He then did a residency in Clinical Pharmacy at the University of California San Francisco. After which, he returned to USC and taught for 5 years (medicine and psychiatry) before going on to the UC Irvine Medical Center. At UCIMC, he eventually became a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Clinical Professor of Pharmacy and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine. In addition, he was the Psychiatric Pharmacist Specialist and the Coordinator of the Investigational Drug Service. He is currently on the faculty of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC Irvine and teaches a variety of courses.