The pharmacy technician labs are fully equipped for the exclusive use of the Pharmacy Technician students. Students spend at least one quarter of their scheduled time in the lab learning ‘hands on’ all the required dispensing skills in the following labs.
The Pharmacy Technician program invested in new technology called PACMED which will allow students to have hands on experience with an automated medication packaging system. Students will be able to fill unit dose and multi dose packages for patients using the state-of-the-art technology which is commonly used in hospitals and community pharmacies.
Dispensing Lab
The dispensing lab introduces students to the basic concepts in dispensing. Students must interpret prescriptions, translate Latin abbreviations, calculate quantities for dispensing, interpret the directions for use and dispense the medication. The lab provides experience in the fundamentals of drug dispensing.
Computer Lab 1 and 2
Using current pharmacy computer software, students practice entering and modifying patient information, prescriber information, select appropriate medications and generate labels and hardcopies for dispensing. Each student works independently. Labs are capped at 12 students and each student has a computer to work on. Blister packaging for long-term care is also practiced.
Compounding Lab
In this lab, students gain hands on experience preparing a variety of external and internal pharmaceutical products. Accuracy in measurement using electronic balances and graduated cylinders is emphasized. Each student is provided with a lab kit containing all the necessary equipment. Students make their own cream product from basic chemicals.
Hospital Dispensing Lab
This hospital dispensing lab introduces the student to the methods of drug distribution in hospitals. Students work with traditional and unit dose methods of distribution. Emergency drug boxes, monitoring fridge temperatures and inventory management are also completed.
Sterile Compounding Lab
The sterile compounding lab trains students in the safe handling and preparation of injectable medications. Students practice their technique in a laminar air flow hood, striving for accuracy and strict adherence to protocol.
Institutional Dispensing Lab
Students are introduced to institutional computer software. Accurate order entry and dispensing are emphasized.
Contact
For more information on the Pharmacy Technician program, please contact:
Sandra Gerges
Program Advisor
sandra.gerges@humber.ca