Pharmacy Tech program to host open house

Published on Mar 12, 2018

May 1 is the deadline to apply for admission to the fall 2018 Pharmacy Technology program at Ashland Community and Technical College.
For those wanting more information on the program, there will be an open house from noon-1 p.m. on Thursday, March 15 in room 314 at the College Drive Campus for a viewing of the newly remodeled pharmacy lab. There will be door prizes and an opportunity to ask questions and meet with current students. There will also be program applications on hand to complete and return to the ACTC admissions office.
Pharmacy Technology offers a quick path into health care employment and can sometimes be the first step in becoming a pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians are employed in community and hospital pharmacies.
Under the direction of a pharmacist, a pharmacy technologist transcribes physicians' medication orders, fills prescriptions and pharmacy orders, prepares admixtures of intravenous solutions, replenishes drugs, maintains patient profiles and prepares bulk formulations.
At ACTC, Pharmacy Technician II is a one-year diploma program, and certificates are available for Retail Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy Technician I. The diploma and certificate credits may be applied toward an Associate of Applied Science Degree in General Occupational/Technical Studies.
The program includes lecture and laboratory classes in anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, medical terminology, microbiology, dosage calculations, pharmacy mathematics, pharmacy practice, pharmacology, drug classifications and IV admixtures.
Students also learn how to communicate the correct medical abbreviations and medical terminologies with patients, customers and the pharmacists they are assisting.
An externship with area pharmacies gives students experience on the job.
"During their clinical hours as 'externs' in area pharmacies, students learn skills that would be needed as employees, and this can give them an edge when applying for a job," said Nikki Bryant, ACTC associate professor and coordinator of the program.
Pharmacy Technology is a selective admissions program, and the application deadline is May 1. New students will need to submit both ACTC and Pharmacy Technology applications, which are available on line at ashland.kctcs.edu.
Applicants must meet the math placement score requirements prior to being enrolled in the program.
For more information on Pharmacy Technology, contact Bryant at 606-326-2261 or email nikki.bryant@kctcs.edu.