CLUSTER
Health Science Education
COURSE
PTCB Preparation
WVEIS CODE
0771
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Within the PTCB Preparation class, students will prepare to successfully pass the Pharmacy Technician
Certification Board Exam. The class is designed to be a self-paced study program with two distinct
components. The first component utilizes a purchased curriculum by PassAssured, LLC. This course is a part
of a Pharmacy Technician Training Program that is supported by teacher instruction and a variety of textbook
and Internet resources. Using a modular format, this program allows the student to gain the knowledge and
skills required for the entry-level Pharmacy Technician. The second component is a clinical internship allowing
hands-on practice under the direction of a pharmacist. The clinical internship consists of a minimum of 20
hours to a maximum of 130 hours with an attempt to gain balanced experience in both institutional and retail
settings.
SKILL SETS
Orientation
Federal Laws
Medication Review
Drug Classification
Aseptic Techniques
Calculations
Pharmacy Operations
Clinical Internship
PTCB Preparation
WVEIS
0771
This course aligns with PassAssured Pharmacy Technician Training Systems and meets the Pharmacy
Technician Certification Board National. See http://www.passassured.com and West Virginia Board of
Pharmacy http://www.wvbop.com
*Foundations of Health Science (0711) and Advanced Principles of Health Care (0715) provide the
introductory core for all Health Science Concentrations and require a minimum course completion score of
80% in order to advance to PTCP Prep (0771) and PTCB Clinical Applications (0772).
*Health Science Clinical Experience (0730) is to be offered in conjunction with PTCB Applications (0772).
Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
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Performance Objectives
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
Orientation
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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basic pharmacy terms and definitions regarding certification, licensure and
registration.
Students will
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differentiate certification, licensure and registration.
determine certification requirements for the pharmacy technician.
recognize the origin and goal of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
(PTCB).
 examine the role of the PTCB.
 distinguish professional organizations related to the field of pharmacy.
 characterize the functions and responsibilities of the pharmacy technician.
 classify the three areas in which skills will be measured on the Pharmacy
Technician Certification Exam.
 determine the requirements and process needed to maintain certification.
Federal Laws
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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 legislation that affects the pharmacy industry.
Performance Objectives Students will
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examine laws and legislation affecting the pharmacy industry.
recognize the importance of the Controlled Substance Act of 1970 as it relates
to the manufacturing, distribution and dispensing of controlled substances
based on abuse potential.
differentiate filing procedures, maintaining records according to State and
Federal Laws and drug substitutuion requirements.
evaluate the mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
determine the process by which a doctor obtains a DEA Number.
establish the purpose of a prescriber DEA Number.
illustrate the process to determine the validity of a DEA Number.
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
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Performance Objectives
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distinguish the storage requirements for Schedule II Drugs.
investigate the four phases of Investigational Drugs.
Medication Review
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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drug classifications, medication dosage form and administration of
medications.
Students will
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 demonstrate basic terms and abbreviations used in the pharmacy.
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 differentiate chemical, generic and trade names of drugs.
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 compare dosage forms of drugs.
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 investigate methods of administering medications.
Skill Set
Drug Classification
Knowledge Objectives
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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 mechanisms of drug actions within the body systems.
Performance Objectives Students will
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examine the basic structure and functions of the nervous system.
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report uses, mechanism of action, side effects, and examples of the following
drug classifications for
o CNS drugs:
o sedative hypnotics.
o skeletal muscle relaxants.
o anticonvulsants.
o narcotic analgesics.
o antipsychotics.
o antidepressants.
o antianxiety agents.
o CNS stimulants.
o Anti-Parkinson’s agents.
o sympathomimetic agents.
o sympatholytic agents.
o parasympathomimetics agents.
o parasympatholytic agents.
o neuromuscular blocking agents.
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chart the location of the major endocrine glands and their hormone secretion.
differentiate between local and systemic hormones.
differentiate histamine and prostaglndins.
report uses, mechanisam of action, side effects, and examples of the following
systemic hormones:
o androgens.
o estrogens.
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o progestins.
o corticosteroids.
o insulin.
o oral hypoglycemics.
o oxytocics.
o thyroid hormones.
o anti-thyroid hormones.
examine the basic structure and functions of the cardiovascular system.
determine the meaning of arrhythmia and angina.
report uses, mechanism of action, side effects, and examples of the following
drug classifications for cardiovascular drugs:
o cardiac glycosides.
o antiarrhythmics.
o antianginals.
o vasodilators.
o calcium channel blockers.
o angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
o angiotensin II inhibitors.
o beta-adrenergic blockers.
o alpha-adrenergic blockers.
o antilipidemic agents.
examine the basic structure and functions of the renal system.
determine the uses and mechanism of action of diuretics.
report uses, mechanism of action, side effects, and examples of types of
diuretics:
o thiazides.
o loop.
o potassium sparing.
o combination.
o osmotics.
characterize gout.
report uses, mechanism of action, and side effects of gout agents:
o Allopurinol.
o Probenecid.
o Colchicine.
compare electrolytes.
examine the uses, side effects, and examples of electrolytes.
compare bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal.
report uses, mechanism of action, and side effects of anti-infectives:
o antibacterials.
o urinary anti-infectives.
o antibiotics.
o Penicillins.
o Cephalosporins.
o quinolones.
o macrolides.
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
o Tetracyclines.
o aminoglycosides.
o antifungals.
o antiparasitic agents.
o antihelminthics.
o amebicides.
o antitubercular agents.
o antiviral agents.
 characterize cancer.
 characterize Leucovorin.
 report uses, mechanism of action, and side effects of chemotherapy drugs:
o antimetabolites.
o alkylating agents.
o hormones.
o vinca alkaloids.
o asparaginase.
o antibiotics.
 examine the composition and functions of blood.
 determine the treatment for Iron Deficiency Anemia.
 determine the treatment for Megaloblastic Anemia.
 report uses, mechanism of action, and side effects of agents used in blood
disorders:
o anticoagulants.
o hemostatics.
o antithrombotics.
o thrombolytics.
o hemorrheologic agents.
o antianemics.
 characterize vitamins.
 determine examples and uses of fat-soluble vitamins.
 determine examples and uses of water-soluble vitamins.
 distinguish minerals as related to normal body functions.
Aseptic Techniques
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 aseptic techniques.
Performance Objectives Students will
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demonstrate aseptic technique.
determine the importance of aseptic technique to prevent contamination as it
relates to personnel and the environment.
establish the role of airflow equipment to prevent contamination.
assess basic equipment for parenteral administration.
examine methods of administering parenteral medications to include:
o intradermal
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
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Performance Objectives
o subcutaneous
o intramuscular
o intravenous
 examine composition of common parenteral fluids.
 examine compounding.
 characterize aseptic technique utilized by personnel prior to compounding
procedures.
 determine the most common and important equipment for compounding.
 assess specific techniques and procedures utilized to avoid contamination
assuring successful sterile product mixing.
 investigate the importance and process of visual inspection of parenteral
products.
 examine components of a parenteral product label.
 characterize various solutions used in pharmacy to include:
o irrigation
o IV Piggy Back
o Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
 distinguish preparation, safe handling and administration of antineoplastic
agents.
 evaluate use of Class II Biological Safety Cabinets (Vertical Airflow) and
personal protective coverings.
 determine precautions necessary in the disposal of all items used in the
preparation and administration of antineoplastic drugs.
 assess stability considerations in parenteral products.
 examine filtration in admixture preparation.
 report examples of parenteral product reference materials.
 demonstrate the steps of a typical parenteral admixture order work flow.
Calculations
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
 mathematics in the pharmacy.
Students will
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solve conversions using the metric, avirdupois, apothecary and household
systems.
use charts, graphic illustrations and conversion tables to perform mathematical
calculations.
determine the meaning of commonly used abbreviations in prescriptions and
medication orders.
determine abbreviations, symbols or syntax that should be avoided.
demonstrate the Roman Numeral system of writing numbers.
apply placement rules when using Roman Numerals.
apply mathematical computations related to pharmacy procedures.
apply mathematical principle to conversion equations common to those used in
the pharmacy.
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
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Performance Objectives
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apply rules for decimals when writing drug doses.
apply mathematical principles involving temperature, weights and measures
used in the pharmacy.
 apply mathematical principles to problems involving dosage calculations and
other applied mathematical concepts.
 apply ratios and proportions to enlarge and reduce chemical mixtures used in
the pharmacy.
 calculate amounts of drugs, chemical or solvents when enlarging and reducing
formulas.
 examine units of measurement for drugs and expressions of quantity and
concentration for drugs in drug products.
 differentiate methods for determining quantities of ingredients and
concentration of drugs when preparing or dispensing drug products.
 calculate amounts of two solutions of different strengths which must be
combined to get a third solution of a specified strength.
 calculate final strength of a diluted or mixed solution when given the original
strength(s) and volume(s) and the final volume.
 distinguish methods of expressing doses and dosage regimens.
 calculate the amount of drug product to dispense a days supply from a dosage
regime.
 calculate doses for pediatric patients using pediatric dosage information found
in reference books.
 apply general rules for calculating an infant’s or child’s dose of medication
when given the age or weight of the patient and the normal adult dose.
 determine the flow rate of an IV solution when given the total volume, total
time of administration and the drops delivered per ml by the administration set.
 calculate powder volume and use calculation to reconstitute dry powders for
suspension or solution.
 examine pricing methods used in retail pharmacy.
 recongize the meaning of terms used in pricing methods.
Pharmacy Operations
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
 daily operation of a pharmacy.
Students will
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differentiate common pharmaceutical terms to include drug names, codes, expiration
date formats, dispensing containers and closures.
determine considerations regarding authority to prescribe.
assess possible prescribers.
characterize general processes related to the dispensing and medication
distribution in a traditional pharmacy.
examine the method of transmitting prescriptions to a pharmacy.
apply required patient confidentiality.
articulate the required contents of a prescription and medication order.
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select information obtained from patients when receiving refill requests.
distinguish the process and information needed when calling prescribers for
refill authorization.
demonstrate receiving electronic transmission of prescriptions.
differentiate patient information necessary for the patient profile.
relate the process required when entering prescription/medication information
in the patient profile.
validate appropriate product selection (i.e. brand vs. generic).
assist the pharmacist in preparing and dispensing medications to include:
o measuring and counting
o calculation and verifiction
o compounding
o weighing
o reconstituting
o aseptic technique/iv admixtures
o controlled substances
prepare and package prescriptions and medication orders.
relate information contained on a prescription label.
report the advantages of the Unit Dose System.
examine types of Unit Dose Systems.
demonstrate the five “Rights” of medication.
demonstrate the three check points utilized during the dispensing of a
prescription.
report the pharmacist’s accountability during dispensing of a prescription.
articulate possible sources of medication errors.
predict reporting procedures for mediation errors.
illustrate the use of supplemental patient information.
examine key concepts and terms used in pharmacy inventory management.
report ordering and receiving techniques.
compare methods in managing inventory.
assess ways prescription are numbered, dated and labeled.
predict the role of the FDA in medication recall and adverse drug reaction.
assess theft and drug diversion.
examine methods of reimbursement and available payment plans.
determine claims processing procedures using Universal Claim Forms (UCFs),
paper claims, on-line claims and electronic adjudication.
relate the components of drug utilization review.
examine Reimbursement Formulary.
determine quantity restriction as it applies to preventing dispensing of
unnecessary quantities.
establish steps for obtaining prior authorization.
relate the purpose of the signature log.
Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
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Performance Objectives
Clinical Internship
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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requirements for participation in a clinical internship.
Students will
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demonstrate a working knowledge of internship eligibility requirements.
comply with required health regulations such as proof of physical examination
and immunization status.
provide proof of personal health insurance.
wear proper clinical attire.
maintain mastery or above in attainment of standards in classroom theory and
lab.
report to clinical site on time and ready to work.
notify clinical site and instructor when absent.
conform to policies regarding performance of skills and scope of
responsibility.
correctly and safely perform entry-level procedures under supervision of a
pharmacist.
request assistance or clarification as needed.
maintain professional standards including client confidentiality.
organize and effectively manage time.
complete documentation required of clinical internship accurately.
participate in clinical internship evaluation process.