As the medical market in the Rio Grande Valley expands, South Texas College is prepared to meet the labor needs to continue job development and spur on the economy. STC’s Pharmacy Technology Program, which was founded in 2001, has currently revamped its curriculum to offer both a Certificate in Pharmacy Technology option and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Pharmacy Technology.

“With new pharmacies opening everywhere around the Valley, employers are looking to colleges like STC to train as many skilled technicians as possible to meet their demands, ensuring that employees come to them with essential knowledge to provide customers with the safest and highest quality service,” said Dr. Theresa Garza, program chair. “We are educating local students who can meet the challenges of this rewarding career.”

Both the Certificate and the Associate of Applied Science degree options require students to master a variety of math, science, technical and communications skills to prepare for working in various pharmacy environments, including retail, hospital and specialty pharmacies.

“In 2000 it became a new state requirement that pharmacy technicians be certified by passing a national exam administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.  This prompted the need for more formal training for these professionals and that is why our program was born. We help students not only prepare for the exam, but also develop into pharmacy technicians with a strong knowledge base and technical skills,” continued Dr. Garza. “We are excited to offer the Associate of Applied Science degree because it allows students to broaden their college experience with the core curriculum while requiring a more intensive study of pharmacology and insurance claims management.  The Pharmacy Technology program is also an excellent stepping stone for students who think they might be interested in becoming a pharmacist.” 

The Certificate option can be completed in one year of full-time study and the Associate of Applied Science degree can be completed in two years full-time study. Effective for fall 2006 admission, both options require courses in speech and medical terminology to be completed prior to entering the program with a grade of “C” or better. The degree plans available on the STC Website specify the courses required.

“We have had 70 students graduate from our program, and we have a very solid exam passage and job placement rate,” added Dr. Garza. “In addition to our classroom and lab instruction, we also require students to complete a practicum course which is a supervised internship at a pharmacy. They have the opportunity to get first-hand experience. Coupling the intensive instruction with the practicum provides a firm foundation for student success.”

Students interested in the program must achieve a passing score on college placement tests or complete developmental courses with a grade of “C” and maintain a 2.0 or better GPA. Any student may take the Introduction to Pharmacy course without formally enrolling in the program to experience its offerings first-hand and determine if pharmacy technology is an appropriate fit.

“I highly encourage people who are interested in a health care profession, but unsure of which one to enroll in, to take the Introduction to Pharmacy course. Students will gain a better understanding of the demands of the program and the expectations in various pharmacy settings,” said Dr. Garza. “Because of the nature of the profession and the program, we are looking for self-motivated students that are responsible, detail-oriented, can handle stress and have good communication skills. It is also important that they enjoy math and science. If you meet these criteria, you would be an excellent candidate. This is a rewarding profession with good stability and the potential for solid growth in the future.”

The Pharmacy Technology Program also recently received an accreditation from the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists. This is a national accreditation that the program obtained by meeting strict training standards, further validating the strength of its curriculum. The program joins 19 other schools in Texas who have received this honor. 

The program is currently accepting new students for fall 2006 and the application deadline is August 1, 2006. Interested students are urged to make an advisement appointment with a faculty member by calling the program secretary at 872-3018. For additional information on the program, please visit www.southtexascollege.edu/nah.

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