Pharmacy Tech

Our Mission Statement

 The Trinity Valley Community College Pharmacy Technician Program will provide quality academic and workforce training, quality student support and will prepare and empower our students for success in achieving their Pharmacy Technician Certification as well as promote and enhance life-long learning for our students as well as the community.  We will promote optimal pharmaceutical care in our community at an advanced level for institutional, community, and other pharmacy practice settings.  

Our Goals

The Purpose of the TVCC Pharmacy Technician Program is to provide our community and surrounding areas with Pharmacy Technicians that are qualified and capable to perform the duties of an Advanced Level Pharmacy Technician in a variety of pharmacy settings.  

1) Apply for general admissions to TVCC Admissions & Applications 

2) Submit official transcripts from high school or proof of GED and all colleges to the TVCC registrar's office at 100 Cardinal Dr, Athens, TX 75751.

3) Exams: TSI must be taken before completing the appicaton to the program. Being TSI complete is NOT required, but points may be awarded for students based on scores. TSI completion means that you have achieved minimal levels of competency in Math, Reading, and Writing, as identified by a variety of markers established by the Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

4) Complete the Health Occupations application online. Students who apply to more than one program will be asked to rank the order of their preferences. Program Application Deadlines:June 1st. [Late applications will be accepted as seats are available.]

5) To be eligible for the Pharmacy Technician program, the student must have a high school diploma or GED or be enrolled in a dual credit Pharmacy Tech program.

Certificate Program - one year program 28 total hours

Associates of Applied Sceince degree - two year program 60 total hours

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What’s the first step to apply? 
Apply to TVCC and once you’re accepted, apply to the Health Science Division, and check the Pharmacy Technician box and location.

How long is the program? 
The certificate program is completed in two semesters, starting in August, and graduating in May.  Students in the AAS degree plan can do the pharmacy tech courses first so that they can work as a technician while completing the other courses or take core courses during their senior year of high school or before they do the pharmacy technician courses. 

How much does the program cost?  
In-district about $4100, Out-of-district about $6000

Is the program accredited? 
Yes. The Trinity Valley Community College Pharmacy Technician Program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

What is a Hybrid program?
Hybrid means that some coursework is done face to face and some is done online outside of class time.  Classes meet face to face, Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 -10:30 am for coursework and simulation activities.  Additional coursework is done outside of these times and due dates are provided.  This allows for those students that have jobs, families, etc., to still participate in the program.

Are there any prerequisites?
Not at this time.  However, students are encouraged to take Medical Terminology, Biology and/or Anatomy and Physiology to ensure a better understanding of the material required.  Points are awarded for having taken these classes in the application process.  As applications are taken on a point based system (highest points being given first choice), it’s not necessary but a great idea to take these.

How many students are accepted into the program?
12 students are accepted at each location.  (Terrell HSC and Athens)

What is a “Practicum”?
PHRA 2360 the Pharmacy Practicum is an unpaid internship where you will have an opportunity to apply all the knowledge and skills you have attained in our program by working in the “real world” in two pharmacy settings. The practicum is the capstone course of the certificate program (as well as the final course in the 2nd semester of the AAS degree plan; since the certificate is embedded within the AAS degree).Prior to registering for the practicum course, you will meet with the department chair to select from a list of affiliated pharmacies throughout northeast Texas. You will select your preferred locations for two, different pharmacy practice settings that may include hospital, retail, or mail order pharmacy. The Pharmacy Department Chair will work with site-based preceptors to set up two, separate practicum rotations of 128 hours each (256 hours total) which will be completed over a 16 week period (in the spring semester). An attempt will be made to place students in their preferred sites; however, due to the varying availability of placement sites, and the number of students needing placement, as well as the strengths and aptitudes of each student, no guarantee can be made with regard to site selection.

Do you have to be TSI complete? 
No you don’t have to be TSI complete however you must take the TSI exam as it is used for competency evaluation.  The pharmacy technician program is math intensive and scores are used to evaluate each applicant on an individual basis. 

I have “math-phobia” and I’m not sure I can get through a math intensive program?  Will I be able to complete this program successfully? 
First of all, don’t panic! Believe it or not, many students have this same fear or concern regarding math. It is generally based on a bad experience they had in the past, or due to the fact that it has been a long time since they took a math course, and/or performed mathematical calculations.