Physiotherapy is a key facet of medical treatment, and helping people to maintain or recover their mobility is a truly rewarding experience. As well as carrying out some clinical care duties in the workplace, physiotherapy assistants are astute planners who provide expert advice on correct treatment plans.

It’s a career that suits people looking for an interesting mix of practical and administrative work. We’re always learning something new about the human body, and this constant evolution of knowledge keeps professionals interested and motivated throughout their career. Here’s how to know if physiotherapy assistant training is the right move for you.

Physiotherapy is Fascinating for Those who are Curious About the Human Body

The human body is incredibly complex, and the average person knows very little about what’s actually happening beneath our skin. If you’re fascinated by physiology, then a physical therapy assistant training program is a great career move.

You can use your knowledge to diagnose problems, design treatment programs, and work with physiotherapists to implement them over a short or long-term basis. Whether the client is recovering from a sudden fall, needs treatment for arthritis, or whatever else you are faced with, you will be in the unique position to offer advice and administer help to people in distress.

 

 

Excellent Communication is Important in Physiotherapy Clinics

Do you enjoy interacting with lots of different people during daily life? Because a physiotherapy clinic is a busy place to be, interpersonal skills are very important in this line of work. Clients require detailed instructions as to what they need to do to aid their recovery, and you must also be able to provide work colleagues with treatment updates. The physiotherapy team is wonderful to be a part of, as they all work towards a common goal.

Feed Your Passion for Sport in Physiotherapy Assistant Training

Whether you like watching or playing sport, it’s a passion that can take up so much of our lives. Some people are lucky enough to make it a part of their professional career, too, such as physiotherapy assistants.

In this challenging role, you can help athletes to reach their peak performance levels by working in dedicated sports injury and recovery clinics. It’s a wonderful thrill when you’ve helped a client to return to the playing field and can see them succeed once again after their injury challenges.

Clients Must be Able to Trust Physiotherapy Assistants

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the healthcare sector, so physiotherapy assistants must possess trustworthiness and supreme professionalism. This means respecting a client’s privacy at all times, treating their information with discretion, and ensuring that hard copy and electronic versions of individual client files are updated and stored with care in the workplace.

It’s important to be approachable and conversational with clients, but be professional at all times, too. The people you’re helping may be in some mental as well as physical distress, so provide them with confidence that you’re doing everything possible to help them.

Use Your Organizational Skills to Build a Physiotherapy Career

Graduates of an occupational therapist assistant course are also well trained to handle important administrative work. Excellent organization is needed to develop care plans, maintain adequate stock levels in the workplace, and handle client records. The duties are broad and varied, but you’ll quickly be able to master the role if you possess good organizational skills.

 

Looking for a challenging and exciting career?

Find out more about physiotherapy assistant training at KLC College.

From support for the increasing senior population to assistance for people suffering from illness or injury, there is a growing need for compassionate people who want to help others. A Personal Support Worker (PSW) program can prepare you to provide the support these needy individuals require by assisting them with their daily activities and providing basic healthcare.

If you are looking for a career with lots of opportunities, are a people-person and have the desire to serve, becoming a PSW could be for you. Read on to learn about a few of the workplaces that are waiting for someone like you.

A PSW Training Program can Lead to Work in a Hospital

Many hospitals now use personal support workers to help provide support to medical staff. Working in a variety of settings including long-term care units, emergency departments, and rehabilitation care, PSWs are usually charged with assisting patients with daily living tasks such as eating, bathing, and grooming.

PSW jobs in hospitals are among the most sought-after positions in the industry, with higher than average pay, but are sometimes more suited to experienced professionals as they can often be high-pressure environments. Nonetheless, a well-established PSW training program will offer you the theory and practical instruction you need to work with confidence in a hospital setting as your career progresses.

PSW Classes can Prepare you for Work in Retirement Communities

In the 2016 Canadian census data, it was found that seniors outnumbered children in Canada for the first time. Projections suggest that this trend will continue for the foreseeable future. As the older population grows, so too does the need for qualified professionals to work in senior care.

A personal support worker college program can prepare you for a job in a retirement community, where your personality, energy and training will help residents live happier and healthier lives. These residential communities or housing complexes are designed for older adults who are generally able to care for themselves, but often employ PSWs to provide some basic support to those who need it, and to assist in social activities and opportunities provided for the residents.

Your career as a PSW Could Take You to Long-Term Care

Long-term care homes are places for people who require round-the-clock care and supervision. There are plenty of opportunities for PSW training program graduates within these facilities.

As with other PSW workplaces, you would be responsible for assisting residents with daily activities like bathing, dressing and eating, among other duties. It takes a special person to serve others in their most vulnerable moments, and that is what the top PSW graduates do every day in long-term care facilities.

Work in Home Care After Your PSW Training Program and Enjoy a Flexible Schedule

Perhaps you are looking for a more flexible work schedule? In this case, your PSW training can open the door to a job as an in-home care provider. Working in this position, you will offer in-home support to the elderly, the disabled, or anyone else who needs it. PSWs working in home care provide daily assistance or simple companionship in residential settings, allowing clients to remain with their families and communities while still receiving the care they require.

This option can allow you to work a more flexible schedule than PSWs who operate in clinical facilities, making it a perfect option for professionals with families or other commitments. Home care providers are also in very high demand in more remote areas, meaning it can be a great choice if you live in a more rural community and want to work locally.

PSWs can also Work with Children

Most PSW graduates work with the elderly population, but there is another clientele who would benefit from your compassion and care – disabled youth and children.

If you’ve always wanted to work with kids and make a difference in your community, you can do all that and more as a PSW. You could assist summer camp participants who have disabilities, or help a child care centre if there are special needs children present. PSWs can also work in group homes where children are challenged by cognitive or physical disabilities and mental health issues.

Are you interested in helping the disabled or elderly live fuller and healthier lives?

Contact KLC College for more information about our PSW classes!

Office administrators are an important part of any business. They are highly organized, professional mulitaskers, and custodians of order and structure in the workplace.

Depending on the organization and its needs, administrators can play many roles at the company they work for. They are in charge of planning and scheduling, communicating with clients and employees, basic accounting, and much more.

Are you considering a career in business administration? Read on to find out why this job is so important to every business.

Administrators Bring Impeccable Organization to the Office

Office administrators are crucial to any business because they are responsible for maintaining an organized and efficient working environment. Administrators juggle tons of tasks and responsibilities throughout the work day, but keeping the company organized is at the forefront of their duties.

An office administrator’s organization skills are essential to the success of any business

Some of the daily organization tasks you’ll take on as an office administrator include:

• Answering and transferring calls
• Organizing team schedules
• Managing calendars
• Planning travel itineraries and events
• Sending correspondence and sorting mail
• Scheduling meetings and taking notes
• Filing important documents and making photocopies

And that’s not where the organizing ends! Because a professional administrator usually has some stellar organizational skills, they are often tasked with keeping the whole office efficient, maintaining a productive environment throughout the entire workplace.

Administrators are the Key to a Productive Environment

After completing your business administration course, you’ll learn that your new role will involve plenty of communication with clients, your colleagues, and your employer. As such, excellent communication skills are a major asset to an office administrator’s job, as they often act as the face and voice of an organization.

You may be expected to provide motivation to employees, as well as to communicate the goals of the company, through things like interoffice memos, official announcements and company newsletters. You could also be tasked with detailing the rules and regulations of the organization and applying them to ensure a friendly, welcoming and distraction-free work environment for your colleagues.

Some office administrators, typically those working at smaller companies, may even be put in charge of basic human resources functions such as the hiring, training and assessment of employees.

Office Administrators Can Play a Part in Business Accounting

After completing your business administration college program, be prepared to wear many hats once you land a job and begin your career. Apart from being the office organization guru and employee relations coordinator, you’ll likely be asked to do some simple accounting for the company as well. This can include things like general bookkeeping, budgeting and payroll. You may also assist with budget planning, as well as preparing and submitting tax forms, preparing invoices for clients, and paying suppliers.

Business administrators may have simple accounting responsibilities

To effectively complete the tasks required of you as an admin, you’ll need a working knowledge of various computer programs and software such as Microsoft Office and QuickBooks. A good business administration college will help you master the technology you need to succeed in your new role.

Are you ready to become an office administrator?

Contact KLC College and start as early as next Monday!

When it comes to working with children, communication can be difficult, especially because they are still developing proper speech and thought patterns, as well as their language capabilities. Early childhood and adolescence are vital periods in an individual’s life which can determine habits and behaviour later on. In Canada, communication skills are a high vulnerability area when it comes to 44.2% of children, and this can have a significant effect on how they interact with the world as they grow into adults.

In order to ensure that children are expressing their thoughts and feelings in a healthy manner, it’s important to practice good communication skills. Here are a few tips on how child and youth workers can communicate effectively with children and young adults.

Give Them Your Full Attention

Communication, more or less, is how we interact with not only other people, but ourselves as well. Children, despite the fact that they may not be fluent in language or conversation, are still people with thoughts, emotions, and perspectives. If you want to become a child and youth worker, it’s important to understand that when a child is attempting to communicate an idea or thought, they might not be at the right developmental or maturity level to express themselves, and interacting with an authority figure – usually an adult – teaches them how to behave and respond in social situations.

 

In order to properly address their needs and provide a beneficial lesson in communication, try to set aside any activity you might be engaged in, like using your phone or reading notes, whenever a child addresses you. This shows them that you are fully involved in what they are saying.

Making the effort to demonstrate that you’re paying attention teaches the child that they should also do the same thing when speaking to others. Paying attention to someone when they’re speaking provides them the opportunity to be cognitively engaged in the subject, and encourages future participation.

Be an Active Listener

When a child tells a story, it is often a way that they can review and determine how they should react to that experience based on how you, as the adult, react. Children, at any age before adulthood, are still learning vital lessons in behaviour and expression, and whether or not they admit to it, look to adults for structure and guidance. It can be difficult to show genuine interest or listen actively, but it’s important to demonstrate or reaffirm that you are listening and not simply ignoring or dismissing the conversation.

Actively listening involves patience as well as compassion. Interrupting or dismissing a child when they try to share a story or experience discourages them from sharing in the future. To show that you are engaging with what the child is saying, try to make eye contact and rephrase and repeat what the child has said to confirm or clarify their idea. Be objective, and prompt the child to explain how they feel about what they are trying to say.

Understanding is Key if You Want to Become a Child and Youth Worker

Communication, at its most basic level, is about understanding and being understood. Miscommunication is one of the greatest obstacles in any conversation, and making sure that you and the child are communicating clearly is a significant component of child and youth care worker training.

It’s important to keep an open mind, and think of their perspective. Children don’t have the life experience of a fully grown adult, and they are still learning how they fit into the world. You may have to get on their level, literally and figuratively. Try to be objective, and don’t condescend or talk down to a child. In other words, treat them as you would like to be treated. Additionally, because children seek positive attention, use words of encouragement or praise so that they feel they are being appreciated.

 

Are you interested in enrolling in a child youth worker college program?

Contact KLC College for more information!

Working as a dental assistant doesn’t just mean having a great smile, although that is a plus. There are also many phrases and terminology that are used every day to identify different areas and problems, as well as procedures involved in effective dental care.

According to the Canadian Dental Association, more than 70% of the world’s population is in need of appropriate and affordable dental care. Oral hygiene can contribute to a variety of complications and issues, and in order to properly address a patient’s needs, aspiring dental assistants need to be aware of the common terms and phrases that are used in their workplace. Read on for an essential guide to dental terminology.

Identifying Parts of the Mouth and Teeth in Dental Assistant Training

One of the first things to learn in dental assistant training is how to tell parts of the mouth and teeth apart. A good place to begin is with the maxilla and the mandible, which are the upper and lower jaws, respectively.

 

The maxilla and mandible both typically have 16 teeth each, and are protected by the palate, or the roof of the mouth. Our teeth are supported by periodontal tissues and held in place by the root, which is located within the tooth socket.

Inside the tooth itself, there are four major tissues. The enamel is the outermost layer and located near the crown of the tooth. Dentin, which supports the crown, is the substance between the enamel and the root canal which holds the connective tissue and blood vessels inside the tooth. The root itself is covered in cementum, a calcified substance that attaches the tooth to the bone.

Potential Dental Issues to Watch for

Teeth, as with any part of the body, can be subject to decay, disease, or injury. It’s important to learn the proper terms for dental issues during a career training program in order to be able to appropriately address problems that you may see in the dentist’s chair.

 

One of the most common complications is a cavity. This is when decay forms a large hole inside of the tooth. In order to check for cavities, dentists use an explorer, or tooth counter, which is only meant to touch the surface of the teeth.

Gingivitis will also sound familiar. Its name comes from the gingival portion of the gums, also known as the cervical area, and pertains to a swelling or inflammation caused by gathered plaque or tartar around the teeth, which are reserved buildups of acids and bacteria. These two problems, while unfortunate, are some of the most common complaints that a dental assistant will encounter, and have relatively simple solutions compared to more complex issues.

Terminology Used in Common Dental Procedures

Once the root of the problem has been addressed, there are a variety of reparatory measures which can be undertaken, with treatment generally depending on the severity of the underlying cause.

In cases of a cavity, many can simply be filled to support the tooth’s structure. Similarly, crowns, or artificial covers, can be put in place at the top of a damaged tooth. In the event that a damaged tooth is extracted or removed, spacers are placed to prevent tooth movement and keep the bite even.

An abscess, where bacteria have been allowed to grow and cause inflammation in the root canal, is a common complication of tooth decay. This means that the abscess must be drained of infected pus and material before it can be treated, and restorative dentistry may be necessary to repair the damage.

Are you interested in enrolling in a dental assistant diploma program?

Contact KLC College today for more information!

Medication relies on accuracy. It must be taken by the right patient in the right way at the right time in order to have the desired effect. Mistakenly taking the wrong or ineffective medication can cause a variety of complications, ranging from mild to serious and even life-threatening. In the United States alone, there are a possible 1.5 million preventable adverse drug effects (ADEs) every year, with medication-related events being the most common.

Pharmacy technicians play a major role in ensuring the safety of their clients, and should follow the guidelines and systems in place when preparing and serving prescriptions. Here are a few common mistakes to keep in mind to avoid any potential ADEs.

Pay Attention to Abbreviations

Abbreviations are a useful way of providing shorthand information quickly, but also have a potential risk for error, as they can be ambiguous or misunderstood, especially when handwritten. The use of non-universal or untraditional abbreviations may not be understood the same way between two people, and new drugs in particular can be misread as a different product.

When filing or entering a new drug alert, students in a pharmacy technician college course should be sure to include medication interactions, duplications, and other clinical warnings before the information is relayed to the leading pharmacist.

Pharmacy Technician Diploma Program Grads Should Be Aware of Medication Mix-Ups

Human error is to be expected in any profession, but for pharmaceuticals it can carry more serious consequences. Misreading the handwriting or abbreviations on a label can greatly affect a client’s health as well as the reputation of the pharmacy itself, and graduates of a pharmacy technician diploma program should instead take the necessary time to ensure their information is correct and avoid potential mistakes.

Be aware of lookalike labels to avoid giving incorrect medication

Filling and dispensing the wrong prescription can be worsened by what is known as confirmation bias, which means something is chosen because it is familiar or expected, rather than relevant to the actual information. For instance, the shape, size, or color of the container is mistaken for a similar product, and is thusly passed onto the client.

In order to prevent a mix-up of lookalike medications, try to keep the prescriptions physically separate from one another, and try to keep similar products distinct. A second identifier may be necessary at the point of sale to verify the correct medication is being dispensed. Additionally, bar code technology can be used, and a quick label scan can cut down on human error and save on later complications.

Stay Informed and Regularly Update Patient Profiles

One of the more serious mistakes a pharmacy technician can make is simply failing to recognize or inquire about other medications the patient may be taking. The process of the prescribed medication may be disrupted with the introduction of certain drugs, thus making the prescription less effective or even rendered totally ineffective. To avoid more serious consequences, stay regularly updated on a patient’s medical information, as well as any major health events, especially in regards to pregnancy.

Patient lifestyle changes can affect treatments and medication options

Avoid Mistaken Identity After Your Pharmacy Technician College Course

As mentioned before, a career in the pharmaceutical industry places a heavy emphasis on detail. One of the more common mistakes involving a prescription drop-off is simply administering medication to the wrong client, typically someone with a similar last name.

As clients do not often remember to check labels before taking their medication, pharmacy technicians assume most of the responsibility to ensure they are given the correct prescription. To avoid a potential misidentification, ask for specific information such as the patient’s address or date of birth, and check this information on the prescription receipt or vial.

Do you want to become a pharmacy technician?

Contact KLC College for more information!

Young children and teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) require special attention in the classroom. To ensure these children get the help they need, it is vital that all newly trained education assistants are given a comprehensive grounding in the best practices for teaching autistic students.

ASD is commonly diagnosed between the ages of two and three years old, affecting one out of every 66 children in Canada. It is much more common in boys than girls, but the severity of the disorder can differ greatly from person to person. Around one third of people with ASD also develop an intellectual disability, so a dedicated skillset is needed to maximize the potential of these children in the classroom.

Read on for some useful insights on ASD that can help the next generation of education assistants to really make a difference in the lives of this often overlooked and underestimated demographic.

Autism can be Caused by Genetic and Non-Genetic Factors

ASD is an umbrella term that includes autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger’s Syndrome. These disorders are categorized across the spectrum, and some present milder symptoms than others.

There is no one root cause of autism, and it is believed to stem from both genetic and non-genetic factors. It takes effect during early brain development by altering how neurons communicate. Parents who have children later in life and extreme premature birth are considered risk factors for the onset of ASD.

The symptoms of ASD include difficulty developing social and communication skills. These boys and girls may avoid making eye contact, repeat words or phrases, and feel more comfortable on their own. Graduates of an education assistant training course will be notified when a child with autism is attending their workplace, because they will require specialized attention in the classroom.

Individual Support for ASD Students after Education Assistant Training

Children with ASD may not understand and follow instructions as easily as others, and it is often a good idea to write them out so they can have them at all times. You may also have to address them individually if you are failing to grab their attention, because they may otherwise think they’re not being spoken to. You should also keep language simple when speaking to children with ASD, and avoid using any jargon or sarcasm that they might find confusing.

Technology is a particularly worthwhile asset in this scenario, too. Children can experience difficulties with handwriting, so assess whether it’s possible for them to complete schoolwork on a laptop or tablet instead. Children with ASD may also work better if they are sometimes given a quiet space to finish their assignments.

Additionally, many young learners on the autism spectrum will often display more interest in specific topics than others, or be far more adept at certain subjects, such as mathematics or science, than they are in other areas. Tailor your teaching to their strengths and weaknesses, and try and find out what their interests are and see if it is possible to work them into their lessons. Overcoming these educational challenges and seeing the child thrive provides a sense of immense satisfaction for professionals, the child, and their parents.

How to Improve the Social Behaviour of Young People with ASD

Another common symptom of children with ASD is an inability to understand the feelings of others. This presents additional challenges for students in education assistant training, so be aware that you also have an important role in developing the social skills of these boys and girls.

This could mean reiterating to them the importance of staying in line in the canteen queue or staying quiet while other children are talking. Children on the spectrum can often feel uneasy in large crowds or noisy environments, too, and may require additional attention in the schoolyard or when walking to and from classes in busy corridors.

KLC’s educational assistant course focuses on developing the necessary ASD teaching skills.

Find out more about our comprehensive 37-week program.

Progress in medicine and health treatment has led to an ever-increasing demand for personal support workers (PSWs) to offer care for a growing elderly community. One of the problems many PSWs face is engaging clients in stimulating, active pursuits, and a recent study has found that seniors today have significantly less participation in activities than in the past.

For clients with reduced mobility or cognitive function, it can be especially difficult to find appropriate activities. Here are a few ideas PSWs can use to get their clients to have fun and stay active.

Have a Party, Dance, or Themed Event

Events are a great way to bring people together and have a good time in a group setting. Some elderly patients are at risk for isolation and depression, which can lead to a lower quality of life. For seniors in residential care, an opportunity to get dressed up or prepare for a special event can be a great motivator to engage and have fun. Creative options include, but aren’t limited to, a dinner party, casino night, or even a ballroom dancing event.

Good conversation can elevate a client’s mood, and reminiscing about the past or talking about shared interests can get seniors mentally and socially active without too much physical strain, allowing them to participate in an engaging and stimulating activity.

Draw from Your Personal Support Worker Course and Engage Clients with Games

A supportive, compensatory approach is ideal when planning activities. Due to the fact that some seniors are more mobile or have different capabilities than others, it is important to remember that physical activity certainly isn’t the only way seniors can have fun.

Students who have graduated from a personal support worker college program know that activities which keep the mind busy can improve cognitive function in elderly clients. PSWs should provide games which are challenging without being too frustrating, and provide good stimulation. Card games, puzzles, and classics like bingo and checkers can all get clients mentally engaged and active. It doesn’t even necessarily have to be a group event, and can include one-person options like crossword puzzles and word searches.

PSW Private College Grads Can Get Creative with Arts and Crafts

Personal support workers can get clients in touch with their creative side in a variety of ways. From drawing to painting, to knitting, to scrapbooking, creativity is fun, engaging, and can even help improve a client’s health. For seniors battling chronic illness, channelling creative expression into a recreational activity can help decrease negative emotions and even reduce stress and anxiety.

Gardening, Bird-Watching, and Outdoor Activities

Multisensory activities can jog long-term memory capability, and outdoor activities can be beneficial simply by getting clients connected with nature. One of the important lessons students learn in any personal support worker course is that clients respond differently to different environments, but outdoor activities can be modified to avoid too much physical exertion for those living with more limiting disabilities.

Indoor or outdoor gardening, for instance, stimulates a variety of senses, and even gives clients a chance to do some low impact exercise as they tackle tasks such as repotting plants and watering flowers. Additionally, light physical activities like bird-watching or a modified yoga lesson can be a positive, relaxing pastime that gets clients active and out into the fresh air.

Interested in studying at a PSW private college?

Contact KLC College for more information!

Since 1997, the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) has overseen practical and written examinations for aspiring dental assistants. At the end of a training program, students are eligible to write the NDAEB exam to earn their full qualifications and begin their dental careers.

The NDAEB examination ensures a standard level of expertise among Canadian dental assistants, testing professional knowledge and critical thinking skills. The written multiple-choice exam, which is combined in some cases with a Clinical Practice Evaluation, assesses knowledge acquired at designated schools. Like all exams, this one rewards effective training and careful preparation.

Are you hoping to ace your NDAEB exam? Keep reading for some helpful tips.

1. Make the Most of NDAEB Materials While Preparing

The NDAEB offers important resources to students, helping them focus their preparation ahead of the exam. In particular, the Candidate Handbook provides crucial insight into the exam’s priorities and content. Once they become eligible to take the exam, students should plan suitable study time to go over the handbook’s information, which covers everything from exam sites to testing outcomes.

Perhaps above all, the handbook offers sample questions, giving students a sense of the content and phrasing they are likely to encounter on testing day. Students may want to do these sample questions mid-way through their preparation, as this will test knowledge while still allowing them time to adapt their studying if needs be. Aspiring dental assistants may also consult the NDAEB’s website for updates on exam resources and results.

2. Use Third-Party Resources Wisely After Dental Assistant Training

In addition to the NDAEB’s own material, students may find further assistance online. While these sources might prove helpful in testing one’s studying, it is important to note that the NDAEB does not officially recognize these alternate sources, typically sample exams.

While students should prioritize NDAEB materials after receiving their Dental Assistant Diploma, some further online resources might also help. A good way to evaluate third-party materials is to compare their content with the ‘Domain Descriptions’ in the official handbook. From ‘Dental Sciences’ to ‘Laboratory Procedures’, these eight domains give students a sense of what content their studying should cover – and thus a good basis for assessing any external help.

3. Develop Strategies for Multiple Choice Success

Effective exam preparation considers format in addition to content. Barring requests for special test conditions, the NDAEB exam allows students four hours to complete 200 multiple choice items. While there is no substitute for strong dental assistant training and careful exam preparation, students may benefit from multiple choice strategies that can enhance confidence, and maximize correct answers on the day. For instance, students should be careful to read questions one word at a time, allowing them to note subtle exceptions or negations that might change their best answer.

Moreover, some students prefer to cover all the answers while reading the question, developing an unbiased idea of the answer before searching for the closest option. In order to get to all 200 items, exam takers are also advised to manage their time well, not spending too long on any particular question. In fact, challenging questions should be skipped over and returned to once all known answers have been provided.

Are you hoping to launch a rewarding career with a Dental Assistant Diploma Program?

Find out more about what KLC College has to offer.

For those looking to undertake an exciting and fulfilling career, getting trained to be a pharmacy technician could be a great decision. A great pharmacy technician program will give you the skills and industry expertise you’ll need to grow and thrive in this role, as well as the technical competencies expected of pharmacy technicians by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA), with an emphasis on drug distribution systems, collaboration, safety and quality.

Are you curious about the industry expertise an excellent pharmacy technician program can impart to you? Read on to find out more!

Grads of Pharmacy Technician Courses Will Gain Comprehensive Drug Distribution Skills

One of the principal skills a pharmacy technician needs is a thorough knowledge of how to properly use and maintain various drug distribution systems, such as medication carts, infusion pumps, and automated dispensing units. With a great pharmacy technician program, students will receive plenty of instruction on how to effectively operate this equipment, as well as best practices for sterile preparations.

Some healthcare colleges also offer clinical placements which place the student into an actual work environment to receive hands-on training. There, students will be able to practice and master using these systems in the real world so that they will know exactly how and when to operate them when they become a pharmacy technician. Graduates will also learn how to appropriately prepare prescriptions, and how to cut, pack, weigh and calculate dosages in accordance with the pharmacist’s instructions.

Pharmacy Technician Diploma Programs Prepare Pros to Help Manage Their Workplace

Another important duty of a pharmacy technician is making sure that their workplace is well-managed. Pharmacy technicians will often need to make sure that drugs are properly stored, such as chilling certain drugs in a fridge, both so that they can prevent them from perishing and to ensure that they are safe for patients to use. Pharmacy technicians also need to check their stock frequently to discard any medications that have become expired, and remove any drugs that have been recalled or no longer comply with health legislation.

Students in a pharmacy technician college course will also gain expertise in recognizing and addressing safety risks. For example, if a piece of pharmacy equipment was in danger of injuring a colleague, the technician would report that to the pharmacist. Additionally, they may need to work alongside the pharmacist to appropriately document the safety hazard, and help brainstorm different ways that those types of risks can be prevented.

Graduates of Pharmacy Technician Programs Become Expert Collaborators

Pharmacy technicians do much more than work alone in the stock room. Over the course of their day, they will need to work closely with pharmacists and pharmacy assistants, as well as other healthcare and retail professionals on occasion. As such, students in pharmacy technician courses will often learn essential communication skills so that they are capable of working not just with other members of their team, but with patients and clients as well.

Apart from ensuring that drugs are both safe to use and properly packaged, pharmacy technicians will collaborate with pharmacists in promoting general health and wellness, supporting patients, and helping with disease prevention and chronic disease management. Pharmacy technicians will also be taught to respect the limitations of their occupation, and defer to the expertise of a pharmacist whenever necessary.

Are you ready to start your career as a pharmacy technician?

Register for a Pharmacy Technician Diploma Program at KLC!