Pharmacy Technology

A pharmacy technician is a licensed health care provider that performs pharmacy-related functions under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Technicians assist both the pharmacist and customers, and is often the first person the customer interacts with.

Pharmacy technicians are an essential member of the pharmacy team, and an essential element to the efficiency and safety of pharmacy.

Responsibilities of a technician have evolved from just counting pills and labeling bottles, but now include any of the following, depending on the type of pharmacy setting they are employed.

• Counting or measuring the accurate amount of medications
• Mixing compounds of medications
• Pricing, packaging, and labeling prescriptions
• Entering prescriptions into the pharmacy system for pharmacist verification
• Collecting patient information, payments, and medication history
• Collecting insurance paperwork and processing insurance claims
• Assisting with vaccinations
• Operating automated dispensing systems
• Managing inventory supplies
• Preparing intravenous medications
• Communicating with various healthcare providers regarding patient medications, including physicians for refill authorizations

What the technician is responsible for will depend on where they work.

1. Retail: If technicians decide to work in a retail setting such as a grocery store, drugstore, or chain pharmacy, they will work directly with customers who are likely patients. Technicians are responsible for monitoring inventory levels, entering and processing medication orders, and any other functions needed to keep the pharmacy operating.
2. Healthcare: Technicians who work in hospitals or similar healthcare settings deliver the drugs directly to other health professionals (nursing). They are also responsible for preparing intravenous medication and non-sterile compounds, monitoring inventory levels, and refilling automated dispensing machines.
   

Pharmacy technicians must be registered with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy and take a national certification exam. The Texas State Board of Pharmacy will perform a background check and require fingerprints. For more information on types of convictions that may prevent registration with the Board of Pharmacy, please refer to the documents on sanctions, and criminal offenses.

Cisco College offers a Level I certificate or an Associate of Applied Science in Pharmacy Technology for future pharmacy technicians. 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. Students will also graduate with a Sterile Compounding Certificate.

Marketable Skills

By the completion of the Pharmacy Technology Certificate, students will have gained the following marketable skills:

• Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Personal Responsibility
• Teamwork
• Technical Knowledge

Please see pages 115-116 of the Cisco College Course Catalog for complete course information.

Application Procedure

The Cisco College Pharmacy Technology Program offers full-time and part-time enrollment options.

Apply to the Pharmacy Technology Program

The pharmacy technician training program has received at least a 50% pass rate in the PTCE licensure exam.