The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown region as the third largest metropolitan area with the highest employment level of pharmacy technicians, earning on average $15.01 an hour with an annual salary of $31,210. The San Jacinto College pharmacy technology program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Photo credit: Rob Vanya, San Jacinto College marketing department.

Pharmacy technology program graduates are assets to their employers

Andrea Vasquez-- October 8, 2012

HOUSTON – The Texas Medical Center is the largest concentration of medical research, education, and health care organizations in the world, so it’s no surprise that Houston continues to be one of the best places for employment in all aspects of the medical industry. October is American Pharmacist Month, and the San Jacinto College pharmacy technology program continues to provide quality training and certification for the pharmaceutical industry.

Accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the San Jacinto College pharmacy technology program provides students with the skills and knowledge to qualify for entry-level positions in pharmacies, and prepares them for the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) in order to apply for registration with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP). Typical work environments include retail pharmacies or hospitals, helping pharmacists fill prescriptions, count and measure amounts of other medications, packaging prescriptions, and other routine pharmacy tasks.

“Because of the changes in the registration requirements mandated by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, most of our students enter the program with no prior pharmacy background,” said Mario S. Garcia, San Jacinto College South Campus pharmacy technology program director. “Our in-depth program provides industry training from the first day students begin. Upon completion, students are able to begin a rewarding career as a certified pharmacy technician. One thing we reinforce while they are in the program is to always stay informed of new advances in the pharmacy industry through professional memberships, publications, news articles, online blogs, and medical journals. Continuing their education of pharmacy events and products makes them an asset to their employers and community.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average hourly wage for pharmacy technicians is $14.43 with an annual salary of $30,020. The BLS ranks the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown region as the third largest metropolitan area with the highest employment level of pharmacy technicians, earning on average $15.01 an hour with an annual salary of $31,210. In the Houston area, it is also common to receive a pay shift differential of 10 to 15 percent more for working evening, nights, or weekend shifts.

In July and September of 2011, San Jacinto College held groundbreaking ceremonies at the North and South Campuses for new science and allied health buildings, and a health science addition at the Central Campus, as part of a $295 million bond referendum from 2008 that provided funds for new facilities and renovations to all three campuses. The new buildings will house the allied health programs available at each campus, which include the pharmacy technology programs at the North and South Campuses.

The San Jacinto College pharmacy technology program is a three-semester program available at the North and South Campuses. Both campus programs accept students twice a year for the full-time day program in the Fall and the full-time evening program in the Spring, only available at the South Campus at this time. The application deadline for the Spring 2013 semester is Jan. 8, 2013. Students must meet San Jacinto College’s general admission requirements along with the program’s admission requirements.

For more information on applying and admission requirements to the San Jacinto College pharmacy technician program, visit: www.sanjac.edu/pharmacy-technology.  

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.