Become a Pharmacy Assistant

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
3668 Students

Master the skills that will prepare you for an entry-level position as a pharmacy assistant, and discover the steps you can take to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

Health care is a booming industry these days, and pharmacy technicians are in high demand. In this online short course, you'll take a look at the many job settings and career paths open to you if you become a pharmacy technician. In addition, you'll master the skills you need to get an entry-level position as a pharmacy tech or clerk.

You'll start by learning basic terms for medical conditions and anatomy, gaining the skills you'll need to read prescriptions and patient records easily. In addition, you'll find out how common classes of drugs are made and how they work.

Next, you'll master the simple maths that every pharmacy tech needs to know. You'll learn how to calculate dosages accurately, practice using simple formulas and maths tools, and find out how to translate metric measurements into familiar household measures like teaspoons and tablespoons. Turning to the business side, you'll look at sales and find out how prescription pricing works.

In addition, you'll learn about the important laws and regulations that govern pharmacies. You'll also hone your communication skills, learning how to handle customers courteously and efficiently. And finally, you'll explore the steps you can take to enhance your career prospects by becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). By the time you're done, you'll be prepared to start your career in this popular and rapidly-growing field.

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

In this first lesson, you’ll discover what it is that pharmacy technicians actually do. You’ll explore the various types of pharmacies a technician can work in—there is so much more than retail stores and hospitals. We’ll talk about the education and skills pharmacists expect to see in a good technician. By the end of this lesson, you’ll realize the many different paths that a technician can take for a successful and rewarding career in the profession of pharmacy.

In our second lesson, I'll give you an overview of the science called pharmacology. We'll discuss the variety of ways drugs enter the human body, and we'll explore how those drugs work once they get inside. You’ll also learn how drugs can cause a positive or negative effect. A pharmacy technician who has this basic knowledge is a great asset to the pharmacist.

In today's lesson, we'll walk through the major laws that dictate how pharmacies operate. I know this topic might sound like it could be a little dry, but it's more interesting than you think, and it's important that pharmacy technicians understand their boundaries. We'll only cover federal laws in this course, even though some states may have different statutes. We'll review the difference between the various narcotic classes, along with some examples for each one. We’ll also discuss the importance of confidentiality and the penalties for violating this very important law. By the end of this third lesson, you should have an even bigger picture of what pharmacy is about and how important it is to be a very conscientious, detail-oriented person.

In this lesson, we'll go through a typical day in both a retail pharmacy and a hospital pharmacy, identifying both their similarities and their differences. When you finish this lesson, you might already have a good idea about which type of pharmacy technician you'd like to become.

Medical terminology seems like a foreign language. But, by learning about each part of the word, you can better figure out its meaning. In today's lesson, we’ll explore the meanings of the root words, prefixes, and suffixes that make up most medical terms, and then we'll practice using our knowledge of the smaller components to determine what the whole word means. Abbreviations are also a big part of medical terminology, so we’ll spend some time reviewing some of the more common ones used in our profession.

Today, we'll venture through some of the most common antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals, and for each category, I'll give you an example or two of a patient taking that drug so that we can discuss what it is and gain a better understanding of why the doctor prescribed it.

In this lesson, we'll discuss some of the common drugs that doctors prescribe for high blood pressure and prevention of heart attacks. We'll also go over respiratory drugs, including asthma medicines and a variety of cough and cold agents. And, we'll discuss some of the drugs you might use to help with various stomach discomforts, like heartburn, diarrhea, and constipation.

Today, we'll take a look at some drugs that control pain. We'll explore some of the narcotic drugs, migraine medications, and the common pain relievers that customers can buy over the counter or obtain through a prescription. We'll also spend some time going over drugs that doctors prescribe for seizures, ADD/ADHD, and Alzheimer's disease.

In this lesson, we'll dive into the world of hormones. We'll discuss drugs that doctors prescribe to treat the thyroid, control diabetes, and provide birth control. We'll also look at some common drugs that patients use for eye infections—things like eye drops and ointments. Ear infections also require medications, so we'll talk about some of those, too.

Next, we'll take a journey through the metric and apothecary systems of measurements as we discuss how we use math in the world of pharmacy. We'll begin by practicing some common conversions and calculating some dosages for prescriptions. We'll also venture into some hospital math to learn how to determine IV flow rates. The last thing we'll cover will be a little business math. It'll be helpful for you to know how to calculate the prescription price and how to figure out how much money an insurance company will reimburse the pharmacy.

Today, we'll discuss the many ways we communicate in pharmacy. We'll talk about how to communicate with our fellow employees and other professionals, and we'll go over all the dos and don'ts of talking with customers.

In this lesson, we'll explore the outlook for a career as a pharmacy technician. We'll also revisit the key points you've studied on this journey toward becoming a pharmacy technician, and I'll share with you the next steps to take after you complete this course.

Lorraine Zentz

Lorraine Zentz has been a pharmacy technician since 1981. She currently works at a hospital pharmacy and has worked in all pharmacy areas (retail, home health, hospital, oncology, and training/education) during her pharmacy... Read more

Read Lorraine Zentz's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

What people are saying about our courses

I really loved this course and I'm sorry its over. I can't wait to advance my education in this area. Thank you so much.

Verified Student

I took this course to see if my daughter, who is in high school, would like to get into this field - she had a strong background in chemistry and math. I think she would be perfect. Thanks for all your help!

Verified Student

This course was exactly what I needed to show me that being a pharmacy technician is the career I want to pursue.

Verified Student

See More Reviews

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Become a Pharmacy Assistant you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

Still looking?

Check out the following courses related to Become a Pharmacy Assistant:

The Human Body: Anatomy and Physiology

Medical Terminology Fundamentals

Respond to Medical Emergencies

Medical Administration

Discover more online courses

Become a Pharmacy Assistant

$599

$389AUD

Save 35%

Teaching With SMART Boards

Now Only

$389

AUD

35% off

$599 AUD

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
4467 Students

Master the use of SMART Board and SMART Notebook technology so you can create powerful interactive lessons that capture your student's attention.

SMART Boards are revolutionising today's classroom. Using these exciting interactive whiteboards, you can create multimedia lessons that engage learners and address their diverse needs.

But having SMART Boards in the classroom and knowing how to use them to provide quality instruction are two different things! If you have a Smart Board in your classroom but have little training in using it, you may be wondering—""What on earth do I do with it?""

In this class, you'll discover how to create outstanding presentations with SMART Board and SMART Notebook technology. You'll explore the basics of using these tools and discover how to create your own SMART board lessons blending text, videos, and graphics. You'll also go beyond the bells and whistles and look at specific ways to use SMART technology to broaden your content and make your lessons accessible to all students. Finally, you'll get some simple trouble-shooting tips that will come in handy if your SMART board isn't acting as smart as it should.

By the time you're done with this course, you'll be an expert at using your new high-tech tools to plan SMART board lessons that provide engaging, thought-provoking, and easy-to-update material for today's media-savvy learners.

We'll begin this first lesson by taking a close look at exactly what a SMART Board is and focusing on its interactivity potential. What often happens in the classroom is that teachers inherit a SMART Board but don't know what to do with it. As far as they can tell, it's not much more than a whiteboard. So that's what we'll focus on in this lesson: the SMART Board's interactivity potential and its myriad possibilities. At the end of this lesson, you'll be excited and eager to learn more.

As teachers, we cannot turn our backs on technology. Our students have grown up with it. When we look at today’s learners, we have to look at the whole picture, and that includes where they are with current technology. So, in this lesson, we'll talk about some of the more recent learning theories and where technology fits in with them. We’ll go over the different learning types, multiple intelligences, differentiated instruction, and constructivism. We’ll take each theory and see how technology can complement them all. Along the way, I’ll also share with you the difference between digital natives and digital immigrants, an understanding that could help you greatly in your approach to teaching.

Our goal for this lesson is to download the SMART Notebook software and install it on your computer. Once you have the software downloaded and installed, we'll talk about the equipment you'll need to get started. Then we'll cover how to connect your SMART Board to your computer and projector. When we finish with all those technical details, we can start taking a tour of the SMART Board and the SMART Notebook software. By the end of this lesson, you'll be well prepared to begin working with your SMART Board and the SMART Notebook software. Please keep in mind that you do not have to have a Smart Board to complete the work for this class. The SMART Notebook software is the only requirement. The software is the magic with the Smart Board, not the board itself. So, even if you are exploring the idea of using Smart Boards, you can use your computer and create amazing lessons to use later when you actually have a board.

In this lesson, we'll focus on how to write on the SMART Board, beginning with how to type on it. Then we'll talk about how to write using the collection of pens, how to make shapes, and how to use the eraser. Along the way, I'll share some examples to help illustrate how you can use each of these tools. My goal is to inspire you with some great ideas that you can incorporate into your own classroom.

In this lesson, we're going to look at ways to make use of documents you already have. There are a couple of terrific tools to help you do just that: Smart Ink and Capture. Another tool you'll undoubtedly use often is the Table tool. I'm sure you use tables and charts all the time as a teaching tool. The SMART Notebook Table tool makes creating and manipulating tables super easy. And with its other cool features—like being able to cover individual cells until you're ready to reveal them—I'm betting you'll use Table the tool often. Learning how to use these tools will take you another step closer to SMART Board mastery.

In today’s lesson, we’ll focus on the SMART Board Gallery. In the Gallery, you’ll find manipulatives, clip art, images, and more to help you teach every subject area. You can even add your own images to the Gallery to tailor your lessons to your own wishes. We'll also explore two valuable components of the Gallery: Gallery Essentials and My Content. We’ll take an in-depth look at each of these tools so that you’ll be comfortable using them to create highly visual, interactive lessons that will engage and involve your students.

In this lesson, we'll be digging into the Lesson Activity Toolkit to see what's there and how it can help you with your classroom instruction. With a simple drag and type, you can introduce, review, or enrich learning. We'll also spend some time working with the Page Sorter, Attachments tab, and Activity Builder tab. The Page Sorter is instrumental in helping you see where you are in your SMART Notebook file. It's also where you can group together parts of your file for more efficient access. The Attachments tab is a terrific way to use your own resources while maintaining continuity in your lessons. Finally, the Activity Builder tab allows you to create your own customized sorting activities.  By the end of this lesson, you should feel like a pro in navigating all the sidebar tabs.

Knowing how the SMART Notebook software works and what the various tools do is not the most important thing when using your SMART Board. Once you have a solid understanding of how things work, it’s critical to shift your focus to content, not bells and whistles. In this lesson, we’re going to focus on finding effective lessons—ones that are already put together for you—to meet your curriculum requirements. I'll be sharing lots of resources to make your teaching life much easier.

Even when we use the Gallery and the Lesson Activity Toolkit, sometimes we still come up a little bit short. What do you do if you can’t find just the right lesson? That's what we'll focus on in this lesson: We’re going to discuss how to make your own SMART notebook lessons. You’ll learn how to create reveal and drag-and-drop experiences. Throughout this lesson, we’ll keep in mind the Marzano lesson design. We'll preview, chunk, and scaffold learning in any lesson we create. Most important of all, we’ll keep our eyes focused on content, not just adding more doodads and gadgets. As I share these tools with you, I’ll also be giving you some great lesson ideas.

Students learn in different ways. In this lesson, you'll learn to make your SMART Notebook lessons even more visual and interactive. We'll concentrate on how to reach more learners by animating objects, adding your own images, and adding video and sound. Kids love animation and sound, and adding them will make your lessons that much more enticing. Plus, lessons with animation, video, and sound have the ability to reach every kind of learner.

Since videos have become so much a part of our daily experience, it only makes sense to use them in the classroom, too. SMART Notebook includes several multimedia functions to help make learning interactive. In this lesson, we’ll be learning how to use SMART Notebook’s Page Recorder, the SMART Recorder, and the SMART Video Player. Even though these features sound similar, they have distinct characteristics that give them unique utility. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be creating your own recordings and videos to elevate your classroom instruction to an even higher level.

Do you know what can stop you dead in your tracks when you’re using your SMART Board? When something doesn’t work. So in this lesson, I’m going to share with you some troubleshooting tips. Ideally, they’ll head off problems before they even arise. If not, this information will give you some quick and easy ways to get back on track. We’ll talk about some of the most common technical problems teachers run into when working with their SMART Boards. Then I’ll talk about fixes for operational problems, like when your board is placed too high for students to comfortably work on it. We’ll also look at a few more features of the SMART Notebook software. Then we’ll wrap up the course with a look at some additional tools that you might consider for use in the future.

Lori Elliott

Lori Elliott, EdD, began her high-tech journey when her son brought home an iPod. Soon after, this veteran educator started wondering, "What if I could use technology as a way to reach my students and help them share ideas with each other?" With n... Read more

Read Lori Elliott's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

What people are saying about our courses

This was one of the mose useful professional ed courses I have taken. Each lesson had practical, easy to understand information. I came away with more useful tools than from all of the other Act 48 courses I have ever taken. Thank you

Verified Student

I learned so much from this course. It was much better than an in-service since I got to actually do the assignments and activities. I feel better prepared to work with the SMARTboard in my classroom and help my students learn to use it as well.

Verified Student

This course has been very helpful and has increased my confidence greatly. The instructor spoke in terms that were understandable and easy to follow. The lessons and the assignments were able to be used in the classroom immediately. I enjoyed the lessons. I could not wait to return to the next lesson. I have taken other SDE courses and have always been impressed by the quality of the course and the knowledge of the teacher, as well as with this course. I did appreciated the flexibility of participation in the lessons.

Verified Student

See More Reviews

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Teaching With SMART Boards you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Ready to get started?

Enrol Now