Applications are now being accepted for a new program at Paul D. Camp Community College that could benefit those interested in learning about the medication-dispensing side of the health care industry.

The college has developed a comprehensive, Virginia State Board of Pharmacy-approved program to train people to assist licensed pharmacists with many aspects of medication preparation.

The Pharmacy Technician Program trains students to work in retail and hospital pharmacies under the direction of licensed pharmacists.

A pharmacy technician’s duties could include maintaining inventory, filling orders for medications for customers and patients, entering patient and prescription information into a computer, submitting insurance claims, preparing sterile intravenous medications, maintaining medications for nurses’ stations, operating computerized dispensing machines and operating cash registers.

“The standards for someone interested in the pharmacy technician field are high,” said Randy Betz, vice president of Workforce Development. “Although pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, they must also be able to work competently and independently. Because of the critical nature of pharmacy duties, the pharmacy technician must be able to maintain accuracy even in stressful situations.”

Application information is available at www.pdc.edu or by calling the Paul D. Camp Community College Workforce Development Center at 569-6050.