News
Release
Feb. 7, 2011
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT
DEBBIE KUCHMAS AT 203-332-5150
Pharmacy Technician Program Starts Feb. 28 at HCC
Preparation for Growing Field
Fee: $629
BRIDGEPORT – Housatonic Community College this
month is offering a Pharmacy Technician Certification program that
will prepare students for careers in a growing field.
This comprehensive, 60-hour non-credit course will prepare students
for an entry level position in a community pharmacy, hospital, or long-term
care setting. It is designed to prepare students to take the national
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification exam.
“The program will prepare students for a career in a growing field,” said
Director of Workforce and Non-Credit Programs Deborah S. Kuchmas. “Thanks
to the aging of the baby boomers that will increase demand for pharmaceuticals,
the number of pharmacy technicians nationally is expected to increase by some
30 percent by 2018.”
In addition, she said, the pharmacy technician will see its role expand
as cost-conscious insurers begin to use pharmacies as patient-care
centers and pharmacists become more involved in patient care. Pharmacies
offering blood-pressure screening and flu shots are just two examples
of this trend, she said.
The course will cover topics such as medical terminology specific to
the pharmacy, reading and interpreting prescriptions, defining drugs
by generic and brand names, calculating dosages and I.V. flow rates,
drug compounding, converting dosages, dispensing prescriptions, controlling
inventory, billing, and reimbursing insurance.
Course prerequisites include basic math and Algebra. To schedule a
math placement test, contact the Continuing Education Office at 203-332-5057.
Proof of passing the math placement test must be given to Continuing
Education in order to be eligible to register for this course.
The class will meet Mondays and Wednesdays, Feb. 28 – May 11
(no class March 14 and 16), 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. in Room A209 in
Lafayette Hall on the HCC campus. The fee for the course is $629, excluding
textbooks.
The certification exam is not included in the course. For information
about the exam, visit www.ptcb.org <http://www.ptcb.org> .
The exam cost is approximately $130. Students will need a GED or high
school diploma to be eligible for the exam. Any person convicted of
a felony is not permitted to take the exam.
Housatonic Community College provides an affordable and accessible
education through two-year degrees, transfer preparation, and certificate
programs, as well as a wide variety of continuing education and personal/professional
enrichment seminars and workshops. In addition, HCC offers employee
and occupational training for businesses, municipalities, government
agencies, and professional associations to help develop the educated
and skilled workforce required to meet regional business and industry
needs. HCC is nationally recognized as an “Achieving the
Dream” institution. To learn more, visit the college’s
website at: www.hcc.commnet.edu <http://www.hcc.commnet.edu> .
HCC is located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in downtown Bridgeport, less
than 150 yards off I-95 (Exit 27) and Rte. 8 (Exit 1), a block from
the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard. Free parking is available in
the Housatonic garage.
Anson C. Smith, Public Relations Coordinator
Housatonic Community College
900 Lafayette Blvd.
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Tel: 203-332-5229, Fax: 203-332-5247
E-mail: asmith@hcc.commnet.edu