Pharmacy Technicians must be registered with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. Responsibility in a pharmacy is to provide technical services that do not necessarily require professional judgment regarding preparing and distributing drugs, but includes working under the direct supervision of a pharmacist.
Pharmacy technicians work in clean, organized, well-lighted, and well-ventilated areas. Most of their workday is spent on their feet. They may be required to lift heavy boxes or to use stepladders to retrieve supplies from high shelves.
Technicians work the same hours that pharmacists work. These may include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, particularly in facilities, such as hospitals and retail pharmacies, that are open 24 hours a day. There are many opportunities for part-time work in both retail and hospital settings.
Cisco College offers an entry-level certificate program (1 semester) or an advanced level certificate program (2 semesters) for pharmacy technicians. Pharmacy technician students must be registered with the TSBP as a pharmacy technician trainee, which requires a background check. After successful completion of the required curriculum, students earn a certificate and are eligible to take the national certification exam from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
Please see pages 115-116 of the Cisco College Course Catalog for complete course information.
Application Procedure
The Cisco College Pharmacy Technology Program is a strenuous program that requires full-time commitment and attention. A limit of 15 students are accepted to this program.
As a result, the selection process is taken very seriously. In addition, Pharmacy Technician students must be registered with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) as a pharmacy technician trainee and will be required to complete a background check.
Future Students:
Apply NowAbout this Program
Degrees & Certifications | Program Length |
---|---|
Pharmacy Technician Level II Certificate | Two Semesters |
Pharmacy Technician Level I Certificate | One Semester |
What Can This Program Do For You
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Potential Career Paths
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacy Operations Technician
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Salary Information
Links to the following websites are provided for your convenience and information and do not constitute official endorsement by Cisco College.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics ‘Occupational Outlook Handbook’ can help you find career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations.
- Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Career One Stop is a resource for career exploration, training, skill sets, wages & jobs.
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Courses
The Pharmacy Technician program is a Health Sciences program beginning in the Fall semester of each year. Below is the suggested pathway for full-time prospective students looking to receive a Pharmacy Technician Level II or Level I Certificate.
Students must successfully complete first semester courses with a "C" or better prior to enrolling in the second semester courses.
The 32 semester hour level II certificate program is designed to be completed in one academic year. The 17 semester hour level I certificate program is designed to be completed in one semester and is offered online. After successful completion of the required curriculum, students are eligible to take the national certification exam from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
*Developmental Courses: Some students may need preparatory courses in English, Reading, or Math. Courses numbered below 1000 will not apply toward a certificate or degree.
Pharmacy Technician Level II Certificate (Abilene-only)
First Semester Second Semester PHRA 1301 Intro to Pharmacy 3 PHRA 1441 Pharm Drug Therapy 4 PHRA 1305 Drug Classification 3 PHRA 1445 Comp Sterile Prep 4 PHRA 1209 Pharmaceutical Math I 2 PHRA 1247 Pharmaceutical Math II 2 PHRA 1313 Community Pharmacy Practice 3 PHRA 1340 Pharm Third Party Pay 3 PHRA 1349 Institutional Pharmacy Practice 3 PHRA 1143 Pharm Tech Certification Review 1 PHRA 1260 Clinical I Pharmacy Tech 2 PHRA 2260 Clinical II Pharmacy Tech 2 TOTAL 16 TOTAL 16 Pharmacy Technician Level I Certificate (online)
PHRA 1301 Intro to Pharmacy 3 PHRA 1305 Drug Classification 3 PHRA 1209 Pharmaceutical Math I 2 PHRA 1313 Community Pharmacy Practice 3 PHRA 1349 Institutional Pharmacy Practice 3 PHRA 1143 Pharm Tech Certification Review 1 PHRA 1260 Clinical I Pharmacy Tech 2 TOTAL 17
The faculty at Cisco College are very friendly. They will laugh with you, they will cry with you. They’ll be firm, but they always have your back. You can talk to them, and they’ll help you find a way to make sure that you feel accepted and comfortable-like family. You know you’ll always have someone to lean on.
– Tracey Morgan
Meet the Faculty
Kelly Meyer
Pharmacy Technology Professor
Abilene Campus
(325) 794-4441
kelly.meyer@cisco.edu