• Medical Training Institute of New York
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Advanced Pharmacy Technician III

Course Overview

Pharmacy Technician III

A Pharmacy Technician III is an advanced-level professional who has completed the requirements for Pharmacy Technician I and II, with additional experience and training. This role typically requires 3 to 5 years of experience, including advanced duties such as light management tasks and more complex responsibilities under a licensed pharmacist’s supervision.

The Pharmacy Technician program at MTINY prepares students to become skilled assistants to pharmacists, covering areas like pharmacy computing, medication preparation, and customer service. The program includes lectures, labs, and an internship, with a final externship that requires competency evaluations.

Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to pursue employment as Pharmacy Technician III.

Advanced Pharmacy Technician II

An Advanced Pharmacy Technician III has completed all requirements for Pharmacy Technician I and II and possesses additional experience and training. Typically, this role requires 3 to 5 years of experience, including more advanced duties such as light management tasks and supervisory responsibilities.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Sterile IV and chemotherapy compounding
  • Classifying pharmaceuticals
  • Supervising and evaluating other technicians
  • Ensuring pharmacy goals are met
  • Advanced prescription preparation
  • Conducting quality assurance audits
  • Managing inventory and adhering to narcotics storage regulations
  • Answering patient inquiries

Program Summary

MTINY STERILE COMPOUNDING TRAINING

Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding

MTINY Sterile Compounding Provide students with a complete introduction to institutional pharmacy practice and practicing Pharmacy Technicians II with preparation for the new sterile compounding certification exam. Comprehensively covering sterile products, aseptic technique, and the workings of the sterile compounding facility, MTINY Sterile Compounding for Pharmacy Technicians II focuses on safe and effective practice. Our Pharmacy Technician II program has expanded and updated coverage to address preparation, processing, medications, technique, and documentation, with review, analysis, applications, waste management, workflow, safety and compliance, billing and reimbursement, and emergency management.

Our Hospital Pharmacy Practice Labs:

The Medical Training Institute of New York provides sterile compounding training programs for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians that are designed to meet current and emerging educational needs. MTINY sterile compounding training programs are based on current regulatory guidelines specified by USP <797> and USP <800> standards.

MTINY strive to provide affordable access to high-quality education training programs, related to sterile compounding. Participants, who satisfactorily complete a program, receive a certificate of completion and will be allowed to sit for certification for Certified Sterile Processing technician (CSPT).

USP Pharmacy 797 and 800 Standard Compliance

USP 797 provides standards for compounding of sterile preparations while USP 800 provides standards for the safe handling of HDs to minimize exposure risks. USP 797 promotes the protection of the sterility of the drug, while USP 800 is focused on the safety of personnel who come in contact with the HDs. Together, USP 797 and 800 establish an environment for compounding drugs that reduces contamination risk and aims to increase safety for healthcare personnel, patients and the environment.

Hazardous Drugs—Handling in Healthcare Settings

USP General Chapter <800> provides standards for safe handling of hazardous drugs to minimize the risk of exposure to healthcare personnel, patients and the environment

Hospital Pharmacy Practice Labs

Institutional Care Settings: Hospital

IV Admixture and Aseptic Technique I

This course is an introduction to aseptic techniques and sterile production preparation in an institutional care setting. The devices and manipulation techniques necessary to maintain sterility and mechanics of a hospital pharmacy are discussed and practiced in IV Clean Room exercises.

IV Admixture and Aseptic Technique II

This course is a continuation of IV Admixture and Aseptic Technique I, focusing on the preparation of cardiac and other titratable drips, IV antibiotics, chemotherapy, large volume parenteral solutions, and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions. Students learn the basic indications, mechanism of actions of specific cardiac drugs, and calculations for selected drug concentrations. Proper technique for mixing and labeling thrombolytic, cardiac drips, and chemotherapeutic drugs are introduced. Laboratory sessions provide the opportunity for students to practice their techniques.

PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY: OMNICELL AND PYXIS TRAINING

Pharmacy Technology: Omnicell and Pyxis Training

This course covers the use of automated dispensing cabinets, such as Omnicell and Pyxis, which are used in healthcare settings for managing medications and supplies. These systems operate like vending machines, with software handling patient orders, medication documentation, inventory, and billing.

In clinical settings, these units are placed in areas like General Medicine, ICU, OR, and ER, allowing clinicians to access locked medications and supplies.

The course also prepares students for pharmacy automation jobs, such as Implementation Consultants or Field Engineers, particularly for those with technology skills and a pharmacy technician background.

Additionally, students will learn skills for retail settings (CVS, Walgreens), including prescription interpretation, inventory control, third-party reimbursement, and non-sterile compounding.

Credentials and Certification Preparation

  • Credentials:
    • Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
    • Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT)
    • Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT-Adv)
    • Billing and Reimbursement Certificate
    • Controlled Substances Diversion Prevention Certificate
    • Hazardous Drug Management Certificate
    • Immunization Administration Certificate
    • Medication History Certificate
    • Medication Therapy Management Certificate
    • Point-of-Care Testing Certificate
    • Technician Product Verification Certificate

In a hospital or other clinical setting, the units are installed at most units where patients are seen, such as General Medicine, ICU, the OR, and the ER. Supplies and/or meds are enclosed in the cabinets that are locked until the clinician accesses them.

Pharmacy Automation Jobs

If you are looking to get started in Healthcare IT, have basic technology skills, and are willing to travel, you have a decent chance of getting a job as an Implementation Consultant or Field Engineer. Having some Microsoft or Network+ certification helps, as well as having a Pharmacy Technician background. If you have programming and/or HL7 experience, then you would have a good chance at a developer position.

Community Practice Settings: Retail Store

This course is designed to provide skills necessary to effectively practice in retail stores (CVS/Walgreen Pharmacy) and ambulatory care settings. Students learn to interpret prescription contents, familiarize the top 100 drugs, inventory control procedures, tasks associated with procurement of pharmaceuticals, completing and filing records for third-party reimbursement, and requirements for completing and filing prescription records. Students are also introduced to non-sterile compounding.

woman inside the store

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

  • Current and Expanding Role of the Pharmacy Technician
  • Training and Skills for Advanced Pharmacy Technician Roles
  • Leadership and Management Skills
  • Communication Within the Interdisciplinary Team
  • Operational Functions
  • Technology and Dispensing Systems
  • Advanced Clinical Skills in Community and Institutional Settings
  • Patient Medication Compliance and Monitoring
  • Sterile Products and Hazardous Drugs
  • Controlled Substance Diversion and Tracking
  • Medication Verification
  • Advanced Insurance Billing
  • Role in Drug Utilization Review
  • Supervisory and Management Skills
  • Role in Research and Data Collection
  • Pharmacy Internship I: Community Practice Settings
  • Pharmacy Internship II: Institutional Care Settings
  • Pharmacy Internship III: Nontraditional Pharmacy Practice
  • Career Development
  • PTCB/ASHP Exam Preparations
  • Education and Training

WHO WILL BENEFIT

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Those Considering Pharmacy School

If your goal is to become a Pharmacist, starting out as a Pharmacy Technician is a great opportunity to explore the Pharmacy field. You'll get the chance to work alongside Registered Pharmacist and PharmDs’ (Doctor of Pharmacist) in a variety of healthcare settings, earning invaluable experience and skills along the way.

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Aspiring Medical Professionals

Working as a Pharmacy Technician gives many of us our first taste of working in the medical field. You might gain inspiration to continue that career path and get a more in-depth understanding of the medical world. It's okay to share this desire with your interviewer. It shows your dedication to the field and a willingness to learn.

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Job Stability

The job outlook for pharmacy technicians is steady, with an expected 4% growth over the next decade, aligning with the national average. As the population ages and chronic diseases rise, the demand for prescription medications—and thus pharmacy technicians—will increase. Technicians, especially those with advanced certifications like Pharmacy Technician III, will be needed to take on more responsibilities, such as verifying medication preparation and assisting pharmacists with patient care.

Technicians with higher certification levels or specialized training may earn higher salaries, as they can take on more complex tasks. While the national average salary is about $30,247 per year, those with additional qualifications or working in specific settings like long-term care may see higher pay.

THE MTI ADVANTAGE

  • State-of-the-Art Cleanrooms- UPS 797 and UPS 800
  • Experience Faculty and Staff
  • 100% Medical and Healthcare Programs
  • State-of-the-Art Medical Equipment’s
  • All instructors are Practitioners in their field
  • Workshops to enter the Workforce
  • Guaranteed Internships/Externships (Hands-on Training)
  • Affiliated with top Hospitals and clinics, Pharmacy Stores
  • Career Development Skill
  • Job placement Assistant

Schedule of Sessions Options

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Morning Schedule

The day program is 50 weeks long. Students attend classes 20 hours a week attending classes Monday through Friday.

6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Evening Schedule

The evening program is 50 weeks long. Students complete 20 hours a week attending classes Monday through Friday.

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Weekend Schedule

The weekend program is 63 weeks long, where students complete 16 hours a week attending classes on Saturday and Sunday.

Frequently asked questions about Pharmacy Technician

What is the difference between a Pharmacy Technician and a Pharmacist?

What is the difference between a Pharmacy Technician and a Pharmacist? The difference between a Pharmacy Technician and a Pharmacist lies in their education requirements, subsequent job responsibilities and levels of seniority. For example, Pharmacists typically earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree before passing a licensure exam and completing a residency period. In contrast, Pharmacy Technicians usually earn an associate degree or a one-year degree from a pharmacy diploma program. Because of their differences in education, Pharmacists hold more seniority and typically delegate tasks among Pharmacy Technicians and other personnel.

Further, Pharmacists have the qualifications to provide insightful advice to customers regarding their current prescriptions, symptoms and additional medications or food items that they shouldn’t consume with their prescriptions.

What are the daily duties of a Pharmacy Technician?

On a typical day, a Pharmacy Technician starts by reviewing incoming order requests from Physicians in the local area. They also check the pharmacy’s voicemail to review missed messages from pharmaceutical companies, customers or Physicians. Throughout the day, Pharmacy Technicians work with pharmacy personnel to retrieve the correct medication and dosage amount to fill prescription orders. 

They interact with customers at the service counter or at the pharmacy’s drive-through to check on prescription orders and retrieve ready prescriptions. Pharmacy Technicians may also provide customers with information regarding their prescription, like the correct time to take their medication.

What qualities make a good Pharmacy Technician?

A good Pharmacy Technician has a personable nature that allows them to deliver excellent customer service to pharmacy customers. They make an effort to greet customers in a friendly manner and answer their questions, whether they need to refer to the Pharmacist or inquire with their Physician. Further, a good Pharmacy Technician enjoys working as part of a team and helps their coworkers by filling in when they’re sick or taking on additional responsibilities to maintain pharmacy operations. A good Pharmacy Technician should also have an ethical code that enables them to deny customers additional medications or advanced prescription refills. 

 
Who does a Pharmacy Technician report to?

A Pharmacy Technician typically reports directly to the Pharmacist or Head Pharmacist to complete tasks and receive directions. In larger pharmacies, Pharmacy Technicians may report to a Pharmacy Technician Supervisor. Pharmacists who work within hospitals or healthcare facilities may report directly to the Facility Manager.