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Your Guidebook in Becoming a Pharmacy Technician

Presented By:

Tiffany Nguyen (2021) (Pharmacy Clerk @Wagner Pharmacy)

Ethan Chhan (2022) (Pharmacy Technician @CVS)

Ryan Kwok (2022) (Pharmacy Student Worker @UCI SHC)

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What is a Pharmacy Technician?

Someone who performs pharmacy related functions under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist

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—You (probably)

Why should I become a Pharmacy Technician/get PTCB certified?

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Because…

  • It allows you to be more competitive in applying for a pharmacy related job
    • A requirement for many pharmacy technician jobs
  • It allows you to directly work with and actively learn more about drugs
  • Shows that you are committed to the pharmacy profession

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How Can You Become a Pharmacy Technician?

  • Complete a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program or equivalent work experience (min. 500 hours)
  • Pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)
  • Apply for board licensure
  • Start looking for a job!

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Who Can Apply for PTCB CPhT Certification?

Anyone who…

  • Completes a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program or equivalent work experience
  • Can disclose all criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration/licensure actions
  • Complies with all applicable PTCB Certification Policies
  • Passes the PTCE!

​

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Step 1: Choose a Pathway

  • Pathway #1: Complete a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program
    • Can enroll in a program at nearby colleges or take online courses
    • Cheap Online Programs:
      • RxTechExam.com
        • Access for 5 months, $200-$250
        • Become a PPS Paid Member to receive a $50 off coupon!
  • Pathway #2: 500 hours of equivalent work experience as a pharmacy technician
    • Find a pharmacy willing to train you to be a pharmacy technician

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Step 2: Take & Pass the PTCE

Online proctored exam delivery suspended!

  • Suspended as of November 2021
  • Not currently a date when they will resume
  • For more information, visit PTCB website

Only Option: In-Person Testing Centers

Closest to UCI:

  • Irvine Valley College (4.6 miles)
  • Pearson Professional Center, Lake Forest (7.4 miles)
  • Pearson Professional Center, Anaheim (11.1 miles)

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Exam Logistics

  • 90 Multiple Choice questions
  • 10 out of 90 questions don’t count (pilot questions) → only 80 scored questions
  • 1 hour and 50 minutes to answer
  • 5 minute tutorial and 5 minute survey after the exam
  • No penalty for wrong answers!

​

Total: 120 minutes (2 hours)

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Exam Breakdown

Knowledge Domains and Areas

% of PTCE®​ Exam Content

Medications

40

Federal Requirements

12.5

Patient Safety and Quality Assurance

26.25

Order Entry and Processing

21.25

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TIPS for the Exam

Important Topics�- Federal Regulations

- SIG Codes

- Pharmacy Calculations

- Classification of Medications

​

Exam Skill and Prep

- Get a good night of sleep

- Use common sense if you don’t know answer

- Read questions CAREFULLY

- Use scratchboard to do calculations

- Answer everything (remember some questions are dropped!)

- Flag questions for the ones you want to go back to

- Practice every section until a 90% is reached before moving on

​

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Study Resources

Books

  • Mosby’s Review for PTCE
  • Ascencia’s PTCB Exam Study Guide (most up-to-date!)

Videos

Websites

(and many more … in our Paid Member opportunity emails!)

  • Top 200 Drugs Playlist

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Top 200 Drugs List: Creating your own database through Mind Maps

Click Image to get to a pre-prepared template!

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SCORE to Pass: 1400

Range from 1000 - 1600

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Step 3: Apply for Licensure

So You’ve Passed! Now What?

  • Passing the PTCE does NOT mean that you are a licensed pharmacy technician
  • You must complete the form found on the Board of Pharmacy website!

PREMIUM

Pharmacy Technician Application

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High School Transcript (UNOPENED)

Self-Query Report

(UNOPENED)

  • Application Fee: $195 (Check or money order)
  • Self-Query Report (unopened): $6
  • Live Scan: $10-$50 (Rolling fee) + $51 (DOJ + FBI fees)
  • 2x2 Passport Style Photo: $5 - $15
  • High School Transcript (unopened): $5
  • PTCE Registration: $129

Total: $401 - $451

NOTE: Make sure to purchase mail that includes tracking!

Live Scan Receipt

Passport Style Photo

Pharmacy Technician Application

PTCB Certificate

Mail To:

2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 100

Sacramento, CA 95833

​

Gather:

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Step 4: Apply as a Pharmacy Technician

  • Become a PPS Paid Member to receive our opportunity emails
  • Ask your peers with pharmacy technicians jobs to see if their place is hiring and if it is a good place to work
  • Search for retail/independent pharmacies near you and call them to ask if they are hiring
    • Apply online (if applicable)

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Renewal of Pharmacy

Technician License

First time licensing will NOT last 2 years

    • Lasts one year from the month you receive it to your next birthday
    • Best time get licensed is right after your birthday

Renewal Fee of $140

Must complete 20 hours of Continuing Education (CE)

    • 1 hour required in the subject of pharmacy law
    • 1 hour required in the subject of patient safety

Licensees will receive a renewal in the mail ~90 days prior to the expiration date

Don’t attempt to renew your license more than 60 days prior to the expiration date

  • Online Renewal Application

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Testimonials Why You Should become a Pharmacy Technician?

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Now… let’s put it to the test through some PTCE Practice Questions!

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Translating SIG Codes

  • PO =
  • AD =
  • OU =
  • PC =
  • QPM =
  • GTT(s) =
  • TAB(s) =
  • QID =
  • IM =
  • PRN =

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Translating SIG Codes

  • PO = By Mouth
  • AD = Right Ear
  • OU = Both Eyes
  • PC = After Meals
  • QPM = Every Evening
  • GTT(s) = Drops
  • TAB(s) = Tablets
  • QID = 4 times a day
  • IM = Intramuscularly
  • PRN = As Needed

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Match the Meds!

  • Sertraline

​

  • Spironolactone

​

  • Morphine

​

  • Omeprazole

​

  • Cetirizine

​

  • Cephalexin

Generic

Brand

Class

  • Keflex

​

  • MS Contin

​

  • Prilosec

​

  • Aldactone

​

  • Zoloft

​

  • Zyrtec
  • Proton-Pump Inhibitor

​

  • Diuretic (Potassium-Sparing)

​

  • Antihistamine (Gen 2)

​

  • Antidepressant (SSRI)

​

  • Antibiotic (Cephalosporins)

​

  • Opioid

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Match the Meds!

  • Sertraline

​

  • Spironolactone

​

  • Morphine

​

  • Omeprazole

​

  • Cetirizine

​

  • Cephalexin

Generic

Brand

Class

  • Keflex

​

  • MS Contin

​

  • Prilosec

​

  • Aldactone

​

  • Zoloft

​

  • Zyrtec
  • Proton-Pump Inhibitor

​

  • Diuretic (Potassium-Sparing)

​

  • Antihistamine (Gen 2)

​

  • Antidepressant (SSRI)

​

  • Antibiotic (Cephalosporins)

​

  • Opioid

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Which of the following is indicated for hyperlipidemia?

  • Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
  • Ezetimibe (Zetia)
  • Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Ester (Lovaza)
  • All of the above

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Which of the following is indicated for hyperlipidemia?

  • Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
  • Ezetimibe (Zetia)
  • Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Ester (Lovaza)
  • All of the above

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A patient who is on Warfarin (Coumadin) approaching to the pharmacy counter with an OTC Aspirin bottle in their hand and ask whether this is appropriate for pain relieve. What should you do?

  • Directly inform that the patient Warfarin and Aspirin are contraindicated, and recommend Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for their pain relieve
  • Inform the pharmacist to counsel the patient
  • Tell them to ask the doctor
  • Help the patient to check out with their bottle of Aspirin

?

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A patient who is on Warfarin (Coumadin) approaching to the pharmacy counter with an OTC Aspirin bottle in their hand and ask whether this is appropriate for pain relieve. What should you do?

  • Directly inform that the patient Warfarin and Aspirin are contraindicated, and recommend Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for their pain relieve
  • Inform the pharmacist to counsel the patient
  • Tell them to ask the doctor
  • Help the patient to check out with their bottle of Aspirin

?

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Which of the following antibiotic oral suspension MUST be stored under refrigeration and expires after 10 days?

  • Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
  • Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
  • Cefuroxime (Ceftin)
  • Azithromycin (Zithromax)

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Which of the following antibiotic oral suspension MUST be stored under refrigeration and expires after 10 days?

  • Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
  • Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
  • Cefuroxime (Ceftin)
  • Azithromycin (Zithromax)

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Pharmacy Math Time!

A pediatric patient weights 39.5lb was prescribed with amoxicillin tablet with a adult equivalent dose of 250 mg for their infection. Use Clark’s Rule and Young’s Rule, calculate the pediatric dosage for the patient.

​

Clark’s Rule: [Weight of child (lb) x adult dose (mg)]/150lbs

Answer: 65.8mg

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Pharmacy Math Time!

Just when you were about to dispense the tablets, the parents say that the children will have difficulty swallowing the tablet. After authorization from the doctor, the pharmacist have decided to switch the dosage form to oral solution.

​

Using the previous calculation you want to prepare a solution with a strength of 65.8mg/5mL (1.3%), as patient will be taking “1TSP PO TID for 14 days”. How many volume of solution do you need?

Answer: 210mL

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Pharmacy Math Time!

You only have 20% amoxicillin oral solution in stock, calculate the amount of volume needed from the 20% solution to dilute to 210mL of 65.8mg/5mL (1.3%) amoxicillin oral solution.

​

Dilution Equation: M1V1 = M2V2

Answer: 13.65mL

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Thanks!

Q&A Time

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