If you\’ve ever considered becoming a pharmacy technician in Texas, you may be about to embark on a rewarding, lucrative career.
Pharmacy technicians can make a solid salary with a stable position in the pharmaceutical field.
But before you start your new career, there are prerequisites you must accomplish to enter the field. These include certifications, registrations, and training. But what exactly will you need to do?
Let\’s take a closer look at how you can register as a pharmacy technician in Texas and get started in a new profession.
Pharmacy Techs in Texas
What exactly do pharmacy technicians in Texas do? What is need to perform technician duties in a pharmacy?
While it\’s not quite the same as direct patient care, there is an element of customer service involved in pharmacy technicians\’ roles. They help serve the needs of patients directly while also assisting pharmacists.
Pharmacy technicians\’ job responsibilities can vary but some common tasks include:
- Gathering prescription information from a customer or physician
- Measuring medication for a prescription
- Labeling a prescription bottle
- Tracking inventory and taking note of any shortages
- Process payments and insurance claims
- Enter and handle customer data into pharmacy IT systems
- Take customer phone calls
They essentially serve as an assistant and a backup to the pharmacist, performing many of the essential functions that allow a pharmacy to operate smoothly. But how does one go about becoming a pharmacy technician and passing the test for registration in Texas?
When is Registration Required for Pharmacy Technicians in Texas?
In Texas, registration is required before your able to become a pharmacy technician. Every state has different requirements for becoming a pharmacy technician.
Some require more work than others. To work alongside other pharmacy technicians in Texas, the first step is to register as a pharmacy technician. Pharmacy technician registration is a requirement at all pharmacies throughout the state.
The registration is process is uniform for all Texas pharmacists or pharmacy technicians. For anyone looking to serve as a pharmacy technician (or trainee), one must have an active registration with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.
The Texas State Board of Pharmacy\’s mission is to maintain high standards of pharmaceutical care for Texas pharmacists (and pharmacy technicians) by regulating pharmacy practices and operations.
If you\’re wondering how to get a pharmacy tech license in Texas, know that you must be registered with the TSBP to work as a pharmacy tech in Texas.
You can register through the State of Texas Licensing System and pay the registration fee; $62 for pharmacy tech trainees, and $99 for pharmacy techs. You must also renew your pharmacy tech license every two years.
Pharmacy Technician License in Texas
The TSBP registration process usually takes 4-6 weeks to finish once you begin. Registered Texas pharmacy techs then have the capability to work in Texas-area pharmacies.
However, the TSBP registration isn\’t the only registration you\’ll need. There are other also requirements you\’ll need to achieve before being qualified to work as a pharmacy technician in Texas.
There are actually several requirements pharmacy technicians must meet prior to joining the profession.
First, pharmacy technicians should earn their pharmacy technician certification. They can then register with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). That includes taking and passing the PTC examination.
The PTCB exam is available online. Once you\’ve passed that and registered with the PTCB, you can register with the TSBP as described above.
There are additional applications you\’ll need to complete your registration as a pharmacy technician or trainee, as well.
Additional Pharmacy Tech Requirements
Whether you\’re looking to become a pharmacy technician in Texas or a pharmacy technician trainee, there are other applications to consider.
Some other useful links that will help you in your journey to register as a pharmacy technician include:
- Initial Technician Trainee Application: This is for those who have yet to be certified by PTCB.
- Initial Registered Pharmacy Technician Application: This is for those who have their PTCB registration (or, in lieu of that, have an Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) certificate number in their possession). If you\’re an active or former technician trainee, this is the incorrect application.
- Upgrade Technician Trainee to Registered Technician: This application is for anyone with a PTCB or ExCPT certificate number in their possession – if you haven\’t received these yet, don\’t go forward with this application.
- Re-Licensure (Expired Technician Registration): This application is for those pharmacy technicians who had their PTCB but have seen it expire. You\’ll need to process this application to again register with TSBP.
Of course, these applications, certifications, and registrations still require you to possess the baseline knowledge to perform the job. So how does one go about doing that in the fastest, most reliable, and most comprehensive way possible?
Perform Technician Duties in a Pharmacy
Once you\’ve completed all the appropriate steps to become a pharmacy technician, you\’ll then be eligible to perform your role in an actual pharmacy.
This can be a rewarding, fulfilling career. Before getting to that point, however, you\’ll need to learn more about the position itself.
You cannot achieve your goal of becoming a pharmacy technician (or pharmacy technician trainee) without the proper registration. And you can\’t register or pass the appropriate certification exams without receiving the appropriate education and training.
Starting the right training program is all about finding training that does the following:
- Gives you all the skills and tools you\’ll need to perform the roles and responsibilities of a pharmacy technician.
- Is flexible for you and your schedule.
- Is less costly than going to a university or college.
SCI\’s pharmacy technician training program will give you everything you need to start a new, exciting career as a pharmacy technician.
It will prepare you to register as a pharmacy technician in Texas with an online, flexible schedule that works for you and your busy life.
Check out how Southern Careers Institute can help you get your fresh start in a rewarding career and a new path. For more on SCI\’s pharmacy technician program, apply online today or contact us at 1.833.SCI.TEXAS.
Sources
- https://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/about/mission.asp
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm#tab-2
- https://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/pharmacytechs.asp
- https://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/regtech.asp
Blog Disclaimer: Information stated in this blog is for general information purposes only. SCITexas.edu does not assume or guarantee income earning potential or salary expectations based on the programs offered at Southern Careers Institute. Career and program information stated in this blog does not guarantee that programs and specifics are offered at Southern Careers Institute.
