Pharmacy Technology Certificate

The Pharmacy Technology Certificate (C1_PHR1) is offered at LSC-North Harris and LSC-Tomball and has additional entrance requirements. For more information, please contac the Pharmacy Technology Department.

Program Description

Pharmacy technicians are paraprofessionals who work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist to assist with activities that do not require the professional judgment of the pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians assist with maintaining records, filling and dispensing routine prescriptions and medication orders, stocking supplies of patient care areas, maintaining inventories of drug supplies, preparing sterile compound products, accepting prescriptions and refill requests, and providing assistance to the customers and patients specific to the pharmacy practice setting. Exciting careers are available in traditional pharmacy settings, e.g. retail and hospital pharmacies, and non-traditional pharmacy settings, e.g. compounding and nuclear pharmacies.

The pharmacy technology certificate program is a two-semester cohort program that provides an excellent introduction to the pharmacy profession. Recruitment for the fall class begins in the month of April. Students typically begin the two-semester daytime program in August (fall). Because of the demand for the program, students starting at LSCNorth Harris in the spring will be in the evening program that runs for 12 months (January through December).

The certificate program at both LSC-North Harris and LSC-Tomball is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

The pharmacy technology certificate program prepares graduates to sit for the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination, administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), to become a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT). Pharmacy technicians in the State of Texas are required to be certified by examination within the year allotted. The Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) also requires certified pharmacy technicians to register with the Board. It further requires that a person performing pharmacy technician duties in a pharmacy must be registered by TSBP as either a pharmacy technician or a pharmacy technician trainee. This includes students while they are doing"clinical" rotations in pharmacies. To register, the pharmacy technology student can find links at www.tsbp.state.tx.us/ to the online registration applications. Pharmacies must ensure that all pharmacy technician trainees complete the online registration process. Included with the registration process is the criminal background information, which requires submission of the applicant's social security number and high school graduation information. The criminal background history must be clear of any felonies or controlled substance violations prior to enrollment in the pharmacy technology program.

Once an applicant has successfully completed all requirements of registration, and the TSBP has determined there are no grounds to refuse registration, the applicant will be issued a red certificate as a pharmacy technician trainee. This certificate expires two years from the date of issuance.

Admission Criteria for the Certificate Program

Applicants must meet the program admission criteria and submit all documentation to the pharmacy technology office at either LSC-North Harris or Tomball. Contact the program director at the appropriate college to determine eligibility and qualifications for the program prior to completing the application form.

Applicants to the certificate program must:

1. Contact the LSC-North Harris program director at 281.618.5727 or the LSC-Tomball program director at 281.357.3634 to determine eligibility and prerequisite requirements.
2. Provide evidence of college ready status according to the following:
   1. Submit previous college and/or high school transcripts from all colleges/universities attended;
   2. Submit passing scores on the COMPASS, THEA, or ASSET tests as determined by LSCS;
   3. Complete an individualized learning plan that includes MATH 0308; ENGL 0305 or ENGL 0365; ENGL 0306 or ENGL 0374 with a minimum grade of C;
3. Schedule a personal interview with the program director. Applicants will be notified by mail or phone of the admission status. It is strongly recommended that application be made at least a month in advance of the semester for which the student would like to enroll.
4. Receive a high school diploma or GED before applying to the program.
5. Provide a copy of the TSBP-issued certificate to the program director.
6. Complete a drug screen prior to clinical affiliation if required by that facility or pharmacy. Students will be provided further information according to agency and/or college policy.
7. Complete the Hepatitis B immunization series prior to patient contact if required by clinical affiliates.

Upon admission to the program, students must have:

1. Recent verification of physical examination completed by a licensed physician.
2. Verification of an updated immunization record. Agencies may also require recent TB skin test results, MMR immunity, and/or varicella vaccine.
3. Student liability insurance (paid when student registers for the first semester).
4. Long-sleeve, short-length white lab jacket, program patch, and school-approved name tag.
5. Certificate of completion of CPR prior to the first internship assignment. Incomplete applications will not receive a complete departmental review. Each applicant is responsible for contacting the pharmacy technology office to confirm whether the application is complete. Additional information can be obtained from the pharmacy technology office at LSC-North Harris or Tomball.

Program Plan

First Year Credits