Pharmacy Technician

You would like this class if you are interested in:
  • Becoming a Pharmacist
  • Working in the medical field but aren't sure where to start
  • General understanding of pharmaceutical medications
Key things that you will learn in the class:
  • Job of a Pharmacy Tech (counting pills, compounding, customer concerns)
  • how diseases affect different body systems and the medication used to treat them
  • Billing, Record Keeping, etc.
What you will leave the class with:
  • Pharmacy Tech Certification
What jobs you could start with after graduation: 
  • Pharmacy Tech/Retail Pharmacy
  • Medical Billing Specialist

Great introduction to services related to health, not just Pharmacy

Instructor

James Saunders

Purpose of the Training Program 

The mission of the GRCTC is to enhance students’ educational experiences by partnering with our community with the support of parents to provide a practical learning environment that puts academics to work in real-life scenarios and to provide the necessary employability and technical skills to create career-ready/college –ready students.

Course Description 

8H965 Practicum in Health Science -Pharmacy Technician (DC) 2 credits Gr: 12 

Prerequisite: Regular or MST Principles of Health Science, Health Science Theory or Health Science Clinical, and Biology Description: This Dual Credit class will include Pharmacology for Technicians, Pharmacy Law, Ethics and Regulations, Sterile & Nonsterile compounding, Medication Safety, Pharmacy Quality Assurance, Medication Order Entry and Fill Process, Pharmacy Inventory Management, Pharmacy Billing & Reimbursement, Pharmacy Information Systems Usage and Application. Option of an Extended Practicum for Externships at a Pharmacy is under Practicum in Health Science - Extended Practicum. Student may be required to submit a background check and a drug screen. The Dual Credit portion of the class is for HPRS 2300 Pharmacology for Health Professions. Students must apply to DCCCD and be accepted to participate in this class. The teacher is adjunct with El Centro College. Student must complete an interest form. Course requirements to be met 

Qualifications to Enroll 

Students are selected for admission based on a good attendance record, discipline record, prerequisites status, and grades.  Students must also qualify for dual-credit enrollment through El Centro College 

Requirements for State Registration 

To work in a pharmacy as a pharmacy technician or pharmacy technician trainee, individuals must be registered with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP). After TSBP notifies an individual of registration, the individual may work in a pharmacy. Board rule §297.6 requires every pharmacy to provide pharmacy technicians/trainees initial on-the-job training. All pharmacy technicians/trainees are required to complete the initial training when beginning employment in a pharmacy. The rules are very specific as to the areas that must be covered in on-the-job training programs. On-the-job training is the only training required for pharmacy technicians/trainees. Currently, there is not a requirement for a pharmacy technician/trainee to attend a formal education program. However, TSBP is aware that many pharmacy technicians are choosing to complete formal training programs in local community colleges or technical schools. The Board recognizes the importance and value of completing a formal education program and encourages pharmacy technicians/trainees to consider these programs. 

Program Costs 

Estimated Program Costs $305 

  • Scrubs $45 
  • Sweater w/embroidery $35 
  • HOSA Club Dues (optional) $35 
  • Liability Insurance $13 
  • Influenza Vaccination $20 
  • TB Test (required annually) $15 
  • CPR Course Completion Card $7 
  • Drug Screening $20 
  • Criminal Background Check $15 
  • Pharmacy Board Tech-In-Training $65 
  • Fingerprinting $35 

Programmatic and Institutional Accreditation Status 

Gilbreath-Reed Career and Technical School is a PTCB-Recognized Program 
Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining National Pharmacy Technician Certification 
2019 

To achieve PTCB Certification, candidates must satisfy the following eligibility requirements: 
 

  • High school diploma or equivalent educational diploma (e.g., a GED or foreign diploma)*. 

  • Full disclosure of all criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions. 

  • Compliance with all applicable PTCB Certification policies. 

  • Passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam® (PTCE®). 

*Candidates who are within 60 days of acquiring their high school diploma or equivalent will be eligible to apply for the PTCE. For more information, see Education Verification below. 
 
A candidate may be disqualified for PTCB Certification upon the disclosure or discovery of: 
 

  • Criminal conduct involving the candidate; 

  • State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure action involving the candidate; 

  • Violation of a PTCB Certification policy, including but not limited to the  Code of Conduct. 

PTCB reserves the right to investigate criminal background, verify candidate eligibility and deny certification to any individual. 
 
Once certified, CPhTs must report any felony conviction, drug or pharmacy-related violations, or State Board of Pharmacy action taken against their license or registration at the occurrence and at the time of recertification, to PTCB for review. Disqualification determinations are made on a case-by-case basis. 
 

2020 

Beginning in 2020, PTCB will require technicians to complete a PTCB-recognized education/training program or have equivalent work experience to be eligible to apply.  Learn more.