Course Offerings

Biowork: Process Technician Training

Course ID: BTC-3200CCP
Overview
Course Outline
Requirements
Intended Audience
More Details

The BioWork Process Technician course is designed to provide basic preparation for entry-level process technician jobs in bioprocess manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing and chemical manufacturing. BioWork provides competencies to include understanding the role of a process technician, safety, quality processes, measuring process variables, transforming matter, process technology (including processing equipment and plant utilities), controlling the process, maintaining sterile processes and growing living cells. BioWork graduates are sought after to become employed in the biopharmaceutical industry in Wake County and surrounding counties. BioWork certification feeds into two separate Wake Tech degree programs, which means a BioWork graduate can pursue an associate degree at Wake Tech after being hired in the industry. Many industries in the area provide educational benefit for their employees. What that means for the BioWork graduate is a job and the potential to earn a degree with very little out-of-pocket costs, which equals not only employment opportunities but also opportunities for advancement. BioWork is also a Propel Scholarship-sponsored program at Wake Tech, which means you can potentially earn this certification for little cost.

Course Objectives

Demonstrate knowledge and competence in the academic and technical fields related to bioprocess manufacturing.

Use critical thinking to analyze and solve problems.

Communicate effectively.

Demonstrate positive, effective and appropriate interpersonal skills.

Outline of instruction

Unit 1: Pharmaceutical Quality and CGMP - Quality methods, standards and practices utilized in the biomanufacturing industry and how the federal government regulates and enforces them

Unit 2: Working Safely - Hazards and risks within the biomanufacturing industry and how industry practices, education and federal agencies such as OSHA work to minimize these hazards and risks

Unit 3: Measuring Process Parameters - Process variables such as length, mass, volume, pressure and other parameters are measured and converted back and forth between the metric and English unit systems

Unit 4: Chemical Processes in Biomanufacturing - Introduction to common chemicals in the workplace, basic chemical safety, nature of chemicals, chemical families, chemical reactions and mixtures/solutions

Unit 5: Equipment and Utilities - Discussion of inputs, process steps, outputs, facility organization, process equipment (tanks, piping systems, pumps, valves and seals), facility utilities (gases, water, steam, heating and cooling, hydraulics, electricity and waste treatment)

Unit 6: Controlling the Process - Common unit operations, separation methods and equipment, process control parameters and methods, Process control instrumentation and manual/automatic control methods

Unit 7: Facilities and the Manufacturing Environment - Facility design and operation considerations including biopharmaceutical facility regulatory requirements, facility monitoring and maintenance and contamination control concerns/methods

Unit 8: Biomanufacturing Production - Detailed discussion of biomanufacturing steps that are common to many product types and specific production steps unique to or found in a number of special product categories

In addition to the above-mentioned unit materials contained within the BioWork textbook, instruction and discussion about job-seeking skills, such as resume development, searching for jobs online, LinkedIn or other professional networking tools, and interview questions is included in this course. Students are strongly encouraged and invited to attend virtual career fairs that as many as 30 industry partners attend.

CEUs

13.6

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

Certification

Partnership for Biotechnology Workforce Training - Process Technician Examination

Website

https://www.scantron.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/NCBC-Candidate-Guid…

Certification Learning Outcomes/Requirements

Complying with cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices)

Following an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)

Completing Batch Records

Reading an SDS (Safety Data Sheet)

An awareness of the importance of safety for the workers and product

Using the metric system and measuring process parameters

Understanding mechanical components of process operations (tanks, pumps, valves, etc.)

Reading gauges

Understanding different utility requirements (water, air, electrical, waste systems) for different parts of process operations

Reading process diagrams and understanding feedback systems

Determining manufacturing process similarities and differences for various product types

Resume writing, job interview and networking skills

CE or CU Articulation

Bioprocess Practices, BPM-110 and Industrial Environment, PTC-110

Prerequisites

Students who wish to register for BioWork must possess a high school diploma or GED and must complete an online information session.

Text and Supplies Needed

"BioWork: An Introductory Course for Process Technicians," Third Edition, Revised 2020

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

Lab module or virtual replacements for onsite laboratory exercises

Requirements for Successful Completion

80% attendance
Students must score an 80% on each unit exam to stay in the course. Students are allowed one retest of each unit exam to reach that minimum exam score.,An approved resume from NC BioNetwork or Biotechnology Career Navigator

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

N/A

Intended Audience

Those with at least a high school diploma or GED who are unemployed, transitioning, especially from other manufacturing sectors, or starting a new career. This course can also be useful for individuals with degrees in biological sciences, chemistry, biochemistry or other fields who want to enter employment in biomanufacturing or pharmaceutical manufacturing and lack the knowledge of the products, regulations and manufacturing methods used in these industries.