The Pharmacy Technician is an integral member of the health care team. Pharmacy Technicians work with pharmacists in the preparation and distribution of pharmaceutical products in a variety of health care settings, including hospital and community pharmacies. Duties of a Pharmacy Technician include: data entry, counting, pouring and labeling pharmaceutical products, customer service, sterile product preparation, and inventory management. The Pharmacy Technician program is a two-semester certificate that combines classroom and laboratory instruction with clinical experiences in local pharmacies. The program accepts students each fall for afternoon and evening classes and each spring for morning and afternoon classes. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.

Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the Pharmacy Technician program. Applicants admitted to the program are required to have a physical examination, documentation of immunizations, and verification of tuberculosis status.

Pharmacy Technician applicants must take the assessment test (or the TASP/THEA) reading and math portions prior to being considered for acceptance or have equivalent college experience.

This Pharmacy Technician program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814; phone (301) 657-3000.

Students must consult with the Pharmacy Technician Department Chair and be accepted into the program prior to enrolling for any PHRA course, except PHRA 1301 and PHRA 1309.

A Criminal Background Check will be required of students as mandated by law or as a condition of program approval/accreditation.

Once accepted into the program, students will register with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy as a Technician Trainee. This process will require an additional criminal background check. Applicants must provide necessary information regarding any drug, alcohol, or conviction history for determination of trainee and licensure eligibility.

Program changes may not be reflected in the current ACC Catalog publication. Please access the most up to date information on the Program's web page through a link at www.austincc.edu/health or by contacting the Health Sciences Admissions Office, Eastview Campus, Room 8356.