Biology, Pre-Pharmacy | Westmoreland County Community College

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 29-1051.00

Skills

Reading ComprehensionSpeakingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingWritingMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingActive Learning

Knowledge

Medicine and DentistryMathematicsEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceChemistry

Abilities

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionProblem SensitivityNear VisionWritten ExpressionDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningCategory FlexibilityInformation Ordering

Tasks

Review prescriptions to assure accuracy, to ascertain the needed ingredients, and to evaluate their
Assess the identity, strength, or purity of medications.
Provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medicat

Technology

Data base user interface and query softwareMedical softwareComputer based training softwareAccounting softwareLabel making software

Tools

Ampoule filling machinesArea survey metersAutomated drug dispensing equipmentBarcode scanning/prescription tracking systemsBinocular light compound microscopesCapsule countersElectronic blood pressure monitorsElectronic toploading balancesFilters for glass containers/ampoulesGeiger-Muller countersGlucometersHemacytometersHorizontal air flow laminar hoodsHospital bedsIntravenous IV therapy equipment

Work Values

RecognitionSupportRelationshipsAchievementWorking ConditionsIndependence

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: high29-1051.00	Pharmacists	title_inference	—	—	—

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Associate's Degree)

Prescription suitability — independently evaluate prescriptions for therapeutic appropriateness, contraindications, and dose accuracy across a broad range of drug classes in a community or hospital pharmacy.
Drug quality assessment — apply analytical and scientific judgment to assess the identity, potency, and purity of compounded and commercially prepared medications with minimal oversight.
Patient counseling — deliver comprehensive, evidence-based advice on drug interactions, side effects, dosage optimization, and storage to diverse patient populations in outpatient and inpatient settings.
Prescribing trend analysis — use pharmacy data systems and spreadsheet software to monitor dispensing patterns, identify compliance gaps, and flag potentially harmful drug use across a patient caseload.
Controlled substance compliance — maintain accurate and auditable control records, narcotic registries, and inventory logs for scheduled substances in accordance with federal and state regulations.
Interdisciplinary collaboration — participate in medication therapy reviews and care planning discussions with physicians, nurses, and other clinicians to optimize drug regimens for individual patients.
Compounding procedures — implement and maintain mixing, packaging, and quality control procedures for sterile and non-sterile preparations in accordance with USP standards and pharmacy policy.
Inventory management — manage routine purchasing cycles, evaluate supplier options, and ensure proper storage and handling of pharmaceutical inventory within budget parameters.
Time management — prioritize and execute multiple concurrent dispensing and clinical tasks efficiently during high-volume shifts in a fast-paced retail or institutional pharmacy.
Database systems — query and interpret pharmacy information systems and clinical databases to support formulary decisions and patient safety monitoring.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.