Pharmacy Technician

Program Description

The Pharmacy Technician Certificate program prepares students for an exciting career in healthcare, providing the technical skills, knowledge and clinical applications necessary to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. Career opportunities await you as a Certified Pharmacy Technician. The certification can also be a stepping-stone to other jobs in healthcare.

What does the Pharmacy Technician Program offer?

The Pharmacy Technician Program provides an opportunity for hands-on care and the performance of routine tasks under the supervision of Certified Pharmacy Technicians within the classroom, lab, and clinical setting. Students learn basic skills related to medications such as abbreviations, medication classifications, appropriate dosages, side effects, and routes of medication administration. Students will also learn federal and state laws related to the practice of pharmacy, infection control, pharmaceutical calculations, and other procedures related to the role.

The program requires classroom hours, laboratory practice, and participation in a clinical experience. Successful completion of the program may qualify the student to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.

To provide our students with a complete learning experience, we partner with PioneerRx Pharmacy Software, the top program chosen by independent pharmacists. The software is equipped with powerful tools that will prepare students to graduate with a robust set of skills. See why pharmacists across the nation choose PioneerRx as the foundation of their pharmacy system.

For more information, visit: https://www.pioneerrx.com

Program Outcomes

Identify pharmaceutical drugs, abbreviations, classifications, dosages, side effects, and routes of administration.
Know the federal and state laws governing the practice of pharmacy.
Understand the qualifications, operational guidelines, and job duties of a pharmacy technician.
Apply the skills necessary to process, prepare, label, and maintain records of prescriptions in a community pharmacy.
Be able to complete pharmaceutical calculations and aseptic technique required for compound and sterile preparations.
Demonstrate specialized pharmaceutical theory, skills, and concepts.

Critical Thinking Skills
Communication Skills
Empirical and Quantitative Skills
Teamwork
Social Responsibility
Personal Responsibility
Leadership and Management Skills
Computer/Technology Skills

Career Information

Certified Pharmacy Technicians are often employed in retail pharmacies, hospitals/clinics, home healthcare pharmacies, and long term care facilities.

Market research using Labor Market data from Texas Workforce Commission and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics show the career as in demand. Pharmacy Technician graduates can expect projected median hourly earnings of $17.79 an hour with steady growth of 18% in job demand.

Lamar State College Port Arthur's program is designed to support the local opportunities for Certified Pharmacy Technicians. This program can be completed in two semesters, Fall and Spring, which offers individuals a faster track into well-paying employment opportunities within our community.

APPLY

Recommended Program of Study
Course	Title	SCH
First Semester
PHRA 1202	Pharmacy Law	2
PHRA 1301	Introduction to Pharmacy	3
PHRA 1340	Pharmacy Third Party Payment	3
PHRA 1209	Pharmaceutical Math I	2
PHRA 1313	Community Pharmacy Practice	3
Second Semester
PHRA 1247	Pharmaceutical Math II	2
PHRA 1345	Compounding Sterile Preparations	3
PHRA 1349	Institutional Pharmacy Practice	3
PHRA 1243	Pharmacy Technician Certification Review	2
PHRA 1260	Clinical - Pharmacy Technician/Assistant	2
Total		25

Is there a certification offered?

Upon successful completion of all course elements, students are eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.

What types of duties does a Certified Pharmacy Technician perform?

The job duties of certified pharmacy tech usually include the following:
Preparation of medications for patients
Answering pharmacy calls
Receiving and verifying the prescriptions
Preparing medications for patients by filling prescriptions with prescribed tablets, capsules, or liquids and properly labeling the bottles
Obtaining pharmacist's approval
Completing patient paperwork related to the filling of prescription
Assisting with insurance claims processing (usually a pharmacist will handle this, but assistant's help will be needed - the entire process is done online)
Maintaining inventory records and stocking and pricing of medications in inventory
Ensuring availability of drugs by delivering them to patients or facilities
Supporting the pharmacist in the daily operation of the pharmacy
Maintaining a safe environment by following all rules and regulations related to the operations of the pharmacy

What are the prerequisites for this career?

There are no prerequisites for the Pharmacy Technician Program at LSCPA but there are some requirements such as drug screening, background checks, and fingerprinting before going into clinical sites.

Do I need any specific skills to become a Pharmacy Technician?

The classroom and hands-on experience that you receive while in the program prepares you for your future as a pharmacy technician.

How long is the training of a Pharmacy Technician?

The program here at LSCPA is two semesters, which includes fall and spring courses.

If interested a student should apply to Lamar State College Port Arthur and meet with an Enrollment Service Counselor. You should plan for a few additional expenses beyond tuition and books. Additional expenses may include: scrubs, a criminal background check, fingerprinting, a drug screening, vaccinations if not current, and Castle Branch fees.

The criminal background check, fingerprinting, and drug screening must be completed prior to enrolling in the clinical course.

Students must be 18 years or older before enrolling in the clinical course.

Pharmacy Technician Program Coordinator:
Toy Thornton-Wyckoff, CPhT
Office: Education Building, Office 111
409-984-6437
thorntontn@lamarpa.edu

Pharmacy Technician students may join the Allied Health Society here at LSCPA where we participate in community events throughout the community such as:

Relay for Life Breast Cancer Walk
Trunk or Treat hosted by LSCPA
LIFESHARE Blood Drive

LSCPA's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is provided in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC § 1092(f), 34 CFR 668.46).