Pharmacy Technician Program
Would you like to build an exciting and rewarding career in healthcare?
Certified Pharmacy technicians are in high demand. Through our Pharmacy Technician Program, you will receive the training you need to take the national accreditation exams and work as a Pharmacy Technician in the community and hospital pharmacy settings, under the supervision of a pharmacist.
Pharmacy technicians are vital members of the pharmacy team and contribute to the health care and wellbeing of our communities. They play a crucial role in providing safe and effective patient care through different duties such as managing pharmacy inventory, receiving prescription requests from patients and doctors' offices, accurately measuring medication amounts, establishing and maintaining patient records, accepting payment for prescriptions and processing insurance claims.
This non-academic program is comprised of 50 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on labs and a clinical internship* opportunity of 80 hours at a local pharmacy.
Upon successful completion of this program, students would be eligible to take the following national certification exams:
- Pharmacy Technician Certified Board (PTCB) Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCB) Exam
- National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Pharmacy Technician Associate Certification (PTAC) Exam
*Internships provide valuable hands-on experience in the field, enabling you to master the content learned through practice, increase your professional network, and gain work experience to be competitive in the job market.
To be eligible for the clinical internship, participants must successfully complete the 50-hour program, submit to a thorough background check, drug screening, and meet additional requirements. Internship is unpaid.
Details:
- Pharmacy history and terminology
- Understand each body system’s anatomy and physiology as it applies to pharmacology.
- Reading and interpreting prescriptions.
- Drug classification, including defining drugs by generic and brand names.
- Perform pharmacy calculations and measurements for dosage calculations, dose conversations, and filling medication orders.
- Sterile compounding and aseptic techniques in a pharmacy setting
- Use of appropriate equipment, procedures and facilities involved in filling medications, compounding, and preparing sterile products.
- Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
- I.V. flow rates
- Inventory control and management procedures
- Billing and reimbursement
- Pharmacy professional practice in diverse environments, including policies and procedures, laws, and ethical principles.
Individuals seeking training to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician.
Note: PEWD program participants should be 18 years or older.
Recommended level of education: High School diploma or GED/high school equivalency.
Note: PEWD program participants should be 18 years or older.
This program meets the necessary requirements for participants to take the following examinations*.
Pharmacy Technician Certified Board (PTCB) Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCB) Exam
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (ptcb.org)
National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Pharmacy Technician Associate Certification (PTAC) Exam
NWCA - Pharmacy Technician Associate Certification (edu2.com)
*Please review additional eligibility criteria to take certification exams, on the respective websites.
Exam information is for reference purposes only and is not included in the course fee.
Mr. Issac Rodriguez (Edinburg)
Mr. Isaac Rodriguez currently serves as the Pharmacy Technician Director at San Benito CISD. He has over 26 years of experience as a Pharmacy Technician and is a current Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. He has instructed UTRGV Continuing Education’s Pharmacy Technician program for 6 years and enjoys preparing students for their Pharmacy Technician careers.
Ms. Maria Martinez (Brownsville)
Note: If you are applying for the Continuing Education Private Loan to cover the registration fee for a non-credit continuing education program, then please use the UTRGV Continuing Education School Code: 003599. The loan amount you note in the application cannot exceed the open enrollment fee noted on our website. Books will NOT be included in the loan amount. The minimum for the loans must be $500.00. Some service charges may apply.
*The only loan provider PEWD accepts is Sallie Mae*
Please email pewd@utrgv.edu once you have been approved so we may certify your loan.
Submit a required written request via email three business days before the program start date. Weekends are not considered. Partial refunds are not allowed.
Edinburg Course Information
January 23, 2025
Dates:
January 27 - March 17, 2025
Days/Times:
Monday & Wednesdays: 6 p.m - 9:30 p.m
Program Modality:
In-Person
Location:
Lecture & Labs: Edinburg CESS Building 1.708
Instructor:
Isaac Rodriguez
Cost:
$ 1,399
Refund Deadline:
TBA
Notes:
Brownsville Course Information
January 23, 2025
Dates:
January 27 - March 17, 2025
Days/Times:
Monday & Wednesdays: 6 p.m - 9:30 p.m
Program Modality:
In-Person
Location:
Lecture & Labs: Brownsville St. Joseph Academy 250
Instructor:
Maria Martinez
Cost:
$ 1,399
Refund Deadline:
TBA
Notes:
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