Pharmacy Technician: Associate of Applied Science Degree

The growing use of prescription medications has created a need for formally trained pharmacy technicians. National American University's Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program provides the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities required of pharmacy technicians. These duties include assisting pharmacists in providing medication and healthcare products to patients, record keeping, and inventory management in a professional medical environment. Pharmacy technicians are also responsible for communicating with pharmacists and patients to ensure that quality care is being provided.

The AAS program at National American University is offered in a manner that accommodates traditional students and working adults. The program is designed to benefit individuals new to pharmacy, and current pharmacy technicians interested in enhancing their skills and formalizing their training.

Program Goals

The program will:

Engage students in proficiency-based, core competencies which integrate the fundamental skills, knowledge, and practice of a Pharmacy Technician.
Prepare students to collaborate successfully with health care professionals to meet the various needs of consumers in a multicultural society.
Individualize student clinical experiences in a variety of real world settings through cooperative alliances with local retail, compounding, hospital, institutional, and home healthcare pharmacy settings.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will:

Perform tasks to accurately prepare and package pharmaceutical products.
Select and precisely measure appropriate ingredients for IV admixtures, hyperalimentation fluids, and parenterals, utilizing universal precautions, laminar flow hoods, and aseptic techniques.
Integrate a fundamental knowledge of the use and side effects of prescriptions and nonprescription medications used to treat common diseases and identify potential barriers to effective pharmaceutical care.
Display an operational knowledge of billing, purchasing, and inventory management in the pharmacy.
Demonstrate the integration of a fundamental knowledge of the laws, regulations, and professional standards that govern the responsibilities of a pharmacy technician with practical experience.
Exhibit proficiency in basic information technology skills and demonstrate transferability of these skills to other software applications.
Express proactive behavior in providing pharmaceutical resources to meet diverse patient care needs.
Integrate the management skills needed to operate effectively in a professional environment.
Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills to ensure meaningful patient interactions.
Project a caring attitude toward patients while providing customer service in a multicultural society.
Recognize the importance of lifelong learning through continuing education activities and membership in professional pharmacy organizations.
Demonstrate competence as a pharmacy technician during clinical experiences to generate a number of individualized career opportunities.
Advance pharmacy technician education by contributing to an ongoing process of program assessment and improvement.