Pharmacology Technology

Pharmacology Technology is a major in the Healthcare and Human Services career cluster. Healthcare Education is a secondary program of study that promotes health career opportunities to students in grades 9-12. The integration of health science courses, work-based learning experiences, HOSA-Future Health Professionals activities, and academics allow students to make informed decisions regarding an array of careers and educational pursuits. Students who successfully complete the Health Science major may elective to take Pharmacology Technology their senior year. At the end of the of the course, students may register to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam. 

Required Courses

Healthcare Science I

Healthcare Science 1, Foundations of Healthcare Professionals, is an introductory course designed to provide students with an overview of healthcare careers and foundational skills to begin their journey towards the future as a healthcare professional. Upon completion of this course proficient students will be able to identify careers in these fields, compare the features of healthcare systems and begin to provide foundational health care skills. This course will serve as a foundation for all Health Science programs of study. This is a required course for this major. 

Healthcare Science II

Healthcare Science 2 – Essential Healthcare Practices, course is designed to provide for the development of essential knowledge and hands-on skills related to a wide variety of health careers. Students will employ hands-on experiences for continued knowledge and skill development. Students are required to job shadow in an area that will connect to a real-world experience in the healthcare industry. Students in this course will also have an opportunity to become BLS Healthcare CPR certified. This is a required course for this major. 

Pharmacology Technology

Pharmacology Technology (Pharmacology for Medical Careers) is a program designed to inform senior level students about pharmacology in the medical field. Through project-based activities, classroom lab experiences, and work-based learning opportunities students are exposed to pharmacy careers and benefit from pharmacology, math, and science standards included in this course. The program prepares students to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) examination. This is a required course for this major. 

Preferred 3rd Course

Medical Terminology

Medical terminology is designed to develop a working knowledge of the language of health professions. Students acquire word-building skills by learning prefixes, suffixes, roots, combining forms, and abbreviations. Utilizing a body systems approach, students will define, interpret, and pronounce medical terms relating to structure and function, pathology, diagnosis, clinical procedures, and pharmacology. Students will use problem-solving techniques to assist in developing an understanding of course concepts. In addition to traditional classroom instruction, Medical Terminology may be offered as a dual enrollment, virtual, online, or independent study course. 

Optional Courses

These courses are not required for Completer/CCR status.

PLTW Human Body Systems

Human Body Systems is a foundation course for the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Sciences programs for high school students. Students examine the interactions of body systems as they explore identity, communication, power, movement, protections, and homeostasis. Students design experiments, investigate the structures and functions of the human body, and use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary action, and respiration. Exploring science in action, students build organs and tissues on a skeletal manikin, work through interesting real-world cases, and often play the role of biomedical professionals to solve medical mysteries. This is a required course for this major. 

Introduction to Veterinary Science

In this advanced animal science course, students will explore the field of veterinary medicine. Students will study the role of a veterinarian and veterinary technician in the diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases. Topics to be discussed include: veterinary terminology, anatomy and physiology, pathology, genetics, handling and restraint, and physical examinations along with common surgical skills. Students will engage in a variety of laboratory activities and will participate in shadowing and/or other work-based learning experiences.

PLTW Principles of Biomedical Science

Principles of Biomedical Sciences is a foundation course for the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Sciences program for high school students. This course introduces biomedical sciences through exciting hands-on projects and problems. Students investigate the human body systems and various health conditions. The activities and projects introduce students to human physiology, medicine, research processes and bioinformatics. Key biological concepts including homeostasis, metabolism, inheritance of traits, and defense against disease are embedded in the curriculum.