Pharmacy Technology

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.

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