Academic Catalog

Pharmacy Technology (PHT)

PHT 50  •  ORIENTATION TO PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY

PHT 50 Details
Units: 2
Hours: 2 lecture per week (24 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: PHT 200L.
Degree and Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Orientation to the role and working environment of the pharmacy technician, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. An introduction to the legal responsibilities and technical activities of the pharmacy technician. Intended for students in the Pharmacy Technician Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

PHT 51  •  PHARMACY LAW FOR PHARMACY TECHNICIANS

PHT 51 Details
Units: 2
Hours: 2 lecture per week (24 total per quarter)
Degree and Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

This course introduces students to the general concepts of law, legal liability, ethics, honesty and integrity as they relate to performing the responsibilities of a pharmacy technician in accordance with the profession's code of ethics. In addition, the course covers key laws and regulations governing the practice of pharmacy, as well as terminology relevant to the profession. Intended for students in the Pharmacy Technician Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

PHT 52A  •  INPATIENT DISPENSING

PHT 52A Details
Units: 3
Hours: 2 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (60 total per quarter)
Degree and Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

A general study of the usual technician functions associated with an institutional drug distribution system. Practical experience in the manipulative and record-keeping functions of extemporaneous preparations and sterile compounding basics in an inpatient pharmacy setting. Intended for students in the Pharmacy Technician Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

PHT 52B  •  ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE & IV PREPARATION

PHT 52B Details
Units: 4
Hours: 3 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (72 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: PHT 52A.
Degree and Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

This course provides technician-focused instruction and training for the successful production of sterile parenteral preparations, a major responsibility of the pharmacy technician in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare. This important work requires the mastery of aseptic technique: the procedures that avoid introducing pathogens into sterile products, ensure patient safety, and maintain product consistency. Intended for students in the Pharmacy Technician Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

PHT 53  •  AMBULATORY PHARMACY PRACTICE

PHT 53 Details
Units: 3
Hours: 2 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (60 total per quarter)
Degree and Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

A review of the skills needed to operate effectively in an ambulatory setting, with emphasis on receiving and controlling inventory, processing prescriptions using computerized prescription processing, defining and learning tools that deliver excellent customer service, and medical insurance billing. Introduction of basic non-sterile compounding concepts for the preparation of simple creams and ointments and introduction to basic laboratory equipment, and its requisite maintenance, needed for compound preparation. Intended for students in the Pharmacy Technician Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

PHT 54A  •  DOSAGE CALCULATIONS A

PHT 54A Details
Units: 3
Hours: 3 lecture per week (36 total per quarter)
Degree and Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

An introduction to the use of pharmaceutical measuring systems, with emphasis on the metric system and intersystem conversions. Intended for students in the Pharmacy Technician Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

PHT 54B  •  DOSAGE CALCULATIONS B

PHT 54B Details
Units: 3
Hours: 3 lecture per week (36 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: PHT 54A.
Degree and Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Calculation of the correct oral and parenteral dosages of drugs using information from prescriptions or medications orders. Accurate determination of the correct amount of ingredients for the compounding of pharmaceutical products from a prescription or medications order. Intended for students in the Pharmacy Technician Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

PHT 55A  •  PHARMACOLOGY A

PHT 55A Details
Units: 3
Hours: 3 lecture per week (36 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: BIOL 14 or equivalent.
Degree and Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Introduction to the general principals of pharmacology, with a focus on the anatomy, physiology and application of pharmacological principles pertaining to the nervous, endocrine, exocrine, skeletal, muscle, and reproductive systems. Drugs are discussed related to their mechanism of action, indications, adverse effects, contraindications, precautions and drug interactions. Intended for students in the Pharmacy Technician Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

PHT 55B  •  PHARMACOLOGY B

PHT 55B Details
Units: 3
Hours: 3 lecture per week (36 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: PHT 55A.
Degree and Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Introduction to the general principals of pharmacology, with a focus on the anatomy, physiology and application of pharmacological principles pertaining to the circulatory, immune and lymphatic, digestive, respiratory, and integumentary systems. Drugs are discussed related to their mechanism of action, indications, adverse effects, contraindications, precautions and drug interactions. Intended for students in the Pharmacy Technician Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

PHT 56  •  DISPENSING & COMPOUNDING

PHT 56 Details
Units: 3
Hours: 2 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (60 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: PHT 50.
Advisory: Not open to students with credit in PHT 56A.
Degree and Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable
Formerly: PHT 56A

General preparation of non-sterile solid, semi-solid, and liquid pharmaceutical dosage forms for enteral and parenteral drug dosage routes. Practical experience in the manipulative and record keeping functions associated with the compounding and dispensing of prescriptions. Study of dosage forms, advantages and disadvantages, uses, storage and packaging of pharmaceutical products. Intended for students in the Pharmacy Technician Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

PHT 58  •  FUNDAMENTALS OF PHARMACOLOGY

PHT 58 Details
Units: 4
Hours: 4 lecture per week (48 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: BIOL 40A, BIOL 40B and BIOL 40C or equivalent.
Advisory: One of the following: ENGL 1A or ENGL 1AH or ESLL 26; not open to students with credit in BIOL 46 or 58.
Degree and Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable
Formerly: BIOL 58

General principles of pharmacology. Emphasis on drug-receptor interactions, second messenger systems, determinants of drug response, pharmacokinetics, bio transformation and excretion, pharmacogenetics, drug development and legal aspects of drug distribution. Application of pharmacological principles and concepts with emphasis on the various pharmacological classes of drugs in diverse patient populations.

PHT 63  •  PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION EXAM (PTCE) REVIEW

PHT 63 Details
Units: 2
Hours: 2 lecture per week (24 total per quarter)
Degree and Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Intended for students in the Pharmacy Technician Program or for students who have completed an ASHP accredited Pharmacy Technician Program. Course provides application requirements for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and Pharmacy Technician license in the State of California. Comprehensive review of pharmacy technician technical and didactic competencies to prepare students for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). Also includes several mock practice Pharmacy Technician Certification Exams. Enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

PHT 64A  •  PHARMACY CLINICAL A

PHT 64A Details
Units: 4
Hours: 12 laboratory per week (144 total per quarter)
This is a clinical laboratory course.
Advisory: Not open to students with credit in PHT 60.
Degree and Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable
Formerly: PHT 60

The practice of pharmacy technology skills in a community pharmacy environment developed in didactic and laboratory training. Activities will be evaluated by a preceptor at the site. Intended for students in the Pharmacy Technician Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

PHT 64B  •  PHARMACY CLINICAL B

PHT 64B Details
Units: 4
Hours: 12 laboratory per week (144 total per quarter)
This is a clinical laboratory course.
Advisory: Not open to students with credit in PHT 62.
Degree and Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable
Formerly: PHT 62

The practice of pharmacy technology skills in either inpatient or outpatient hospital environments developed in didactic and laboratory training. Activities will be evaluated by a preceptor. Intended for students in the Pharmacy Technician Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

PHT 101  •  PHARMACY CAREERS A

PHT 101 Details
Units: 4
Hours: 4 lecture per week (48 total per quarter)
Advisory: Passing grade in high school algebra 1, biology, chemistry and two years of English.
Degree and Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: None
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

The first of three courses to be taken in series; intended for students enrolled in the CTE Pharmacy Careers Pathway Program. This course provides students with foundational knowledge crucial for success to pursue further education in pharmacy technology or other various allied health professions. Topics of instruction include basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology and pharmaceutical abbreviations, dosage calculations, pharmaceutical preparations and medications, pharmacy practice, inter-professional education within the health care system--cultivating collaborative practice for providing patient-centered care (effective communication, teamwork, professionalism, etc.), learning strategies, effective study and life management skills all necessary for success in an allied health profession.

PHT 102  •  PHARMACY CAREERS B

PHT 102 Details
Units: 4
Hours: 4 lecture per week (48 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: PHT 101.
Degree and Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: None
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

The second of three courses to be taken in series; intended for students enrolled in the CTE Pharmacy Careers Pathway Program. Topics of instruction build on content in the following areas; pharmacy law, dosage forms and calculations, pharmaceutical abbreviations, basic anatomy, physiology and medical terminology pertaining to the gastrointestinal, endocrine and reproductive systems, including diseases and medications used to treat conditions that affect these systems. Topics on inter-professional skills required to work effectively in a health care team.

PHT 103  •  PHARMACY CAREERS C

PHT 103 Details
Units: 4
Hours: 4 lecture per week (48 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: PHT 102.
Degree and Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: None
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

The final course in a series of three; intended for students enrolled in the CTE Pharmacy Careers Pathway Program. This course continues to build on topics pertaining to the following areas: pharmaceutical compounding, various dosage formulations, complementary and alternative medicine, pharmaceutical calculations used in community and institutional practice, basic anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology pertaining to the renal/urological and musculoskeletal systems, including diseases and medications used to treat conditions affecting these systems. It also covers California Board of Pharmacy requirements for technicians and provides an overview of the Foothill College Pharmacy Technician Program.

PHT 200L  •  PHARMACY TECHNICIAN AS A CAREER

PHT 200L Details
Units: 1
Hours: 1 lecture per week (12 total per quarter)
Advisory: Demonstrated proficiency in English by placement via multiple measures OR through an equivalent placement process OR completion of ESLL 125 & ESLL 249.
Degree and Credit Status: Non-Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: None
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Introduction to the pharmaceutical sciences and the functions of a pharmacy technician in health care. Role of the pharmacy technician, areas of specialization in the field, technical standards, state registration requirements and employment opportunities.