Pharmacy Technology

Degree:

• Pharmacy Technology, AAS

Certificate:

• Pharmacy Technology Certificate

Pharmacy technicians are paraprofessionals who work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist to assist with activities that do not require the professional judgment of the pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians assist with maintaining records, filling and dispensing routine prescriptions and medication orders, stocking supplies of patient care areas, maintaining inventories of drug supplies, preparing sterile compound products, accepting prescriptions and refill requests, and providing assistance to the customers and patients specific to the pharmacy practice setting. Exciting careers are available in traditional pharmacy settings, e.g. retail and hospital pharmacies, and non-traditional pharmacy settings, e.g. compounding and nuclear pharmacies.

The pharmacy technology certificate program is a two-semester cohort program that provides an excellent introduction to the pharmacy profession. Recruitment for the Fall class begins in the month of April. Students typically begin the two-semester daytime program in August (Fall). Because of the demand for the program, students starting in the Spring will be in the evening program that runs for 12 months (January through December). Recruitment for the January class (Spring) begins in the month of November. Beginning Fall 2005, the pharmacy technology program at North Harris College also offers an Associate Degree in Pharmacy Technology. Students interested in ultimately becoming pharmacists can benefit from the knowledge gained in the classroom and internship experiences. Program credit hours will not transfer into a professional sequence for pharmacy school.

The pharmacy technology certificate program prepares graduates to sit for the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination, administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, to become a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT). As of Jan. 1, 2001, pharmacy technicians in the State of Texas were required to be certified. The Texas State Board of Pharmacy also requires certified pharmacy technicians to register with the board as of June 2004. Those technicians not certified are restricted on duties and must be certified by examination within the year allotted.

Admission Criteria for the Certificate Program:

Applicants must meet the program admission criteria and submit all documentation to the pharmacy technology office at North Harris College. Contact the program director at North Harris College to determine eligibility and qualifications for the program prior to completing the application form.

Admission criteria for the AAS Program:

Contact the program director at 281-618-5727 to determine eligibility and prerequisite requirements.

Include official documentation of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certificate, Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) certificate, completion of the pharmacy technology certificate from an institution, math, reading, and writing test scores or courses taken.

Those who do not complete a pharmacy technology program must contact the program director for a PLA (Prior Learning Assessment).Each candidate will be assessed on an individual basis by the program director to determine his or her eligibility before applying to the AAS program.

Program Admission Criteria include:

1. Contact the program director at 281-618-5727 to determine eligibility and prerequisite requirements. Students interested in attending Tomball College should contact the Dean’s office at 281-357-3798.
2. Include official documentation of college-level reading, writing, and math by:
   1. submitting previous college and/or high school transcripts from all colleges/universities attended;
   2. submitting COMPASS, THEA, or ASSET scores,
   3. taking $29 assessment test (i.e. COMPASS) for reading, writing, and math at any campus assessment center.
3. All eligible candidates will be scheduled for a personal interview with the program director. Applicants will be notified by mail or phone of the admission status. It is strongly recommended that application be made at least a month in advance of the semester for which the student would like to enroll. Receive a high school diploma or GED before applying to the program.
4. Applicants to the AAS must be registered with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.
5. Criminal background checks are required prior to admission. Students will be informed of college-approved vendors that will provide this service at the student’s cost.
6. Some pharmacies/health care facilities may require a clean drug screen prior to clinical affiliation.
7. Regulations require that prior to patient contact, the student must have completed the Hepatitis B immunization series which is received over a 3 - 6 month period.

Upon Admission to the program students must have:

1. Recent verification of physical examination completed by a licensed physician
2. Verification of updated immunization record
3. Student liability insurance (paid when student registers for the first semester)
4. Long-sleeve, short-length white lab jacket, program patch, and school-approved nametag.
5. Certificate of completion of CPR prior to the first internship assignment.

Incomplete applications will not receive a complete department review. Each applicant is responsible for contacting the pharmacy technology office to confirm whether the application is complete. Additional information can be obtained from the pharmacy technology office at North Harris College.

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Pharmacy Technology requires an additional year of course work. Applicants must be registered with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. The purpose of the program is to prepare graduates for managerial positions and customer service in hospital and community/retail pharmacies. An associate degree in pharmacy technology emphasizes the technician’s interest in and dedication to the work. Further emphasis is placed on ethics and federal and state laws.

Prior to graduation from the AAS degree program, students must submit passing THEA exam scores in reading, writing, and math or complete NHMCCD Student Success Initiative (SSI) requirements. For those students seeking a degree with informal on-the-job training, they should see the program director for further information on the Prior Learning Assessment evaluation. A nominal fee is required for an assessment of the student’s previous work experience.

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