PHAR 048: INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY
Units: 2
Class Hours: 32 lecture          
Prerequisite:  None

Introduction to the SAC pharmacy technician program. Definition of the roles and preview of the opportunities open to pharmacy technicians in various practice settings.  Presentation of pharmaceutical dosage forms, drug development processes, and drug classification systems.  Introduction to prescription labeling and to the law and ethics of pharmacy practice.      Advisory reading level: 4


PHAR 051: BODY SYSTEMS I
Units: 3   (Increasing to 3.5 beginning Fall 2008)
Class Hours: 56 lecture
Prerequisite: None

Anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology of the musculoskeletal, respiratory, genitourinary, and cardiovascular systems. Basic terminology, with emphasis on word analysis and construction, medical abbreviations, and lay terms.  Advisory reading level: 4

Note:  Students may take either Body Systems I or Body Systems II first.  Body System I is offered during the Spring semester (and sometimes during the Summer.)  Both Body Systems classes are required for the certificate and degree programs.


PHAR 052: BODY SYSTEMS II
Units: 3  (Increasing to 3.5 beginning Fall 2008)
Class Hours: 56 lecture
Prerequisite: None

Anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology of the integumentary, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Basic terminology, with emphasis on word analysis and construction, medical abbreviations, and lay terms.  Advisory reading level: 4

Note:  Students may take either Body Systems I or Body Systems II first.  Body Systems II is offered during the Fall semester.  Both Body Systems classes are required for the certificate and degree programs.


PHAR 054: PHARMACY CALCULATIONS
Units: 2
Class Hours: 32 lecture
Prerequisite: None

Calculations related to drug dosage, measurements of strength, and preparation of medications.  Includes the interconversion of units in the metric and common systems of measurement.  Emphasis on unit-cancellation for solving pharmacy situation problems. Strong verbal component.   Advisory reading level: 4.


PHAR 056: PHARMACY OPERATIONS
Units: 4  (Increasing to 4.5 beginning Fall 2008)
Class Hours: 48 lecture, 80 lab
Prerequisites: Completion of PHAR 048, 054, and 051 or 052 with grades of C or better; typing proficiency

Technical aspects of drug distribution for outpatient pharmacy settings. Hands-on training in customer service, inventory control, compounding, prescription processing, and medication repackaging (manual and automated). Includes electronic and manual record-keeping, pharmacy law, and CQI.   Advisory reading level: 4.

Note:  PHAR 056 is offered as a M / W evening class during the Fall semester
                                              and a  M / W daytime class during the Spring semester.


PHAR 057: INPATIENT PHARMACY SERVICES
Units: 1.5
Class Hours: 18 lecture, 30 lab
Prerequisites: Completion of PHAR 048, 054, and 051 or 052 with grades of C or better; typing proficiency

Technical aspects of drug distribution for the inpatient (hospital) pharmacy setting. Hands-on training in medication order processing, pharmacy patient profile maintenance, medication preparation, and inpatient drug distribution using manual and automated systems.  Includes electronic and manual record-keeping, pharmacy law, and CQI.   Advisory reading level: 4.

Note:  PHAR 057 is offered as a M / W / F  daytime class for 4 weeks during January Intersession
                                             and as a M / W evening class for 6 weeks during Summer session.


PHAR 060: STERILE PRODUCTS
Units: 4 (Increasing to 4.5 beginning Fall 2008)
Class Hours:  48 lecture, 80 lab
Prerequisites: Completion of PHAR 048, 054, and 051 or 052 with grades of C or better; typing proficiency

Applications of aseptic techniques and laminar flow theory in the preparation of sterile products.  Emphasis on parenteral calculations, sterile dosage forms, and  quality assurance procedures.  Includes the pharmacology of antimicrobial and antineoplastic drugs.     Advisory reading level: 4.

Note:  PHAR 060 is offered as a M / W daytime class during the Fall semester
                                           and as a M / W  evening class during the Spring semester

Supervised use of the Pharmacy Technology lab to assist the student in developing competency in the skills required to successfully complete the Pharmacy Operations, Inpatient Pharmacy Services, Sterile Products, Pharmacy Technology Externship, and/or Sterile Products Review courses.  Lab hours verified by sign-in.  May be repeated.  Open entry/open exit.  Class hours arranged.  Grade: CR/NC only. 
(Credit awarded for at least 16 hours of participation.)

Short course for allied health personnel designed to further knowledge of new pharmaceutical products. May be repeated. Not offered every semester. 
This is not a required class.



PHAR 072: PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY EXTERNSHIP
Units: Variable (0.5-4 per semester)
Class hours: 40 hours per 0.5 units
Prerequisite:  Completion of PHAR 056 and/or PHAR 057 and/or PHAR 060 with grades of C or better; current TB clearance; Speech Comm 097 or 101.

Note:  Most inpatient and sterile products externship sites require that students have daytime, weekday hours available.

Individual descriptions will be provided for each course developed. Not applicable to associate degree. Prerequisite: Varies according to topic.
This is not a required class.