STC NAH Pharmacy Technology Program Presentation Fall 2014

Introduction to the Pharmacy Technology Program

• Presented by Mr. Roger Rodriguez, faculty member of the Pharmacy Technology program.

• Overview of the Nursing and Allied Health campus.

Degree Plans Offered

• Two types of degree plans:

  • Certificate

  • Associate Degree

• Importance of understanding differences between the two.

Certification Requirements

• PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) mandates completion of an ASHP-accredited program by 2020 for all candidates.

• Program is the only ASHP accredited option in the area between Laredo and Corpus Christi.

• Encouragement to apply now since the program is currently non-selective, accepting students on a first-come, first-served basis.

Application Process

• Application period runs from February 6, 2015, through the last Friday of May.

• Basic application includes personal information.

• Acceptance criteria short-listed to students who submitted complete applications.

• Current capacity is 30-35 students, with expansion plans to accommodate more in the future.

• Program starts annually in the fall (August).

Degree Plan Breakdown

Associate Degree vs Certificate

• Both degree paths share a curriculum until the summer session.

• Completing the associate degree entails also earning a certificate, leading to two degrees.

Prerequisite Courses

• Required courses:

  • Pharmacy Math

  • Anatomy and Physiology for Allied Health (or regular Anatomy 2401 and 2402)

• Recommendation: Take Anatomy and Physiology for Allied Health to satisfy ASHP requirements.

Practicum Requirements

• 320 hours of clinical experience required:

  • 160 hours in retail pharmacy

  • 160 hours in community/institutional pharmacy

Salary Expectations in Pharmacy Technology

Entry-Level Pay Breakdown

• Retail pharmacy: $8 - $14 per hour

  • Depends on location, experience, and type of employer (corporate vs independent).

• Hospital pharmacy: $12 - $15 per hour.

• Certification impact on salary:

  • IV certification increases potential earnings to $15 - $18 per hour.

  • Chemotherapy certification potential earnings: $18 - $25 per hour.

Job Market Outlook

• Median wage for pharmacy technicians is ~$14.10.

• Future trend: increasing education requirements for pharmacy technicians.

• Expected job growth rate of about 20%, faster than average.

Role of Pharmacy Technicians

• Pharmacy technicians perform various tasks excluding clinical judgment:

  • Counting and preparing medications

  • Processing prescriptions

• Overview of responsibilities under Texas's Tech Check Tech program allowing technicians to check each other's work.

Laboratory Experience

Pharmacy Lab Overview

• Lab setup mirrors community pharmacy and hospital environments.

• Emphasis on hands-on training for practical experience:

  • Compounding medications

  • Creating patient-specific formulations (e.g., flavored medications for children).

Specific Labs

• Suppository lab: Creating patient-administered dosage forms from powders.

• Lip balm lab: Incorporating medications into cosmetic formulations.

IV Admixture Lab

• Includes aseptic technique training.

• Details on the media fill test used for technician certification:

  • Ensures proper aseptic techniques through bacterial growth testing post incubation.

Future Certification Opportunities

• IV certification required by law as of September 1, 2015, for compounding.

• Potential for expansion into chemotherapy certification based on demand.

Conclusion

• Summary of expected salaries in various pharmacy settings:

  • Retail: $8 - $12/hour

  • Hospital: $12 - $16/hour

  • IV Technicians: $15 - $18/hour

  • Chemotherapy Technicians: $18 - $25/hour

• Importance of gaining certifications to enhance career prospects and salary.