The program is designed to prepare students for careers as pharmacy technicians in hospital, retail, mail-order pharmacies and other pharmacy related industries. Students receive classroom, laboratory and practical experience covering all aspects of the profession. Included within the laboratory portions of the program is a 45-hour content-specific block of instruction dealing with the preparation of sterile intravenous products as required by the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy. After completion of this training, students are New Mexico Board of Pharmacy certified to prepare sterile products. The Pharmacy Technician Program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
Special Requirements
Students must complete an application process administered through the Coordinated Program Entry Office and be selected to enter this program.
Criminal Background: Most of the health programs in HWPS require students undergo the New Mexico Department of Health caregivers criminal history screening program. This involves state and federal felony criminal background checks with fingerprints. This must be completed prior to starting their program or prior to beginning their clinical experiences. Students with a disqualifying conviction can appeal some of those convictions to the School of HWPS. Depending on the program, students may or may not be allowed to remain in the program pending appeal. Students who do not successfully appeal a disqualifying conviction will not be allowed to start or remain in the program. A successful appeal does not guarantee eligibility for licensure after graduation in professions that require licensure.
Drug Screen: In many HWPS programs students are required to undergo a routine drug screening prior to starting their program.
Immunizations: All health programs require that students provide documentation of current immunizations completed before beginning clinical courses.
Physical Requirements: Students must be in good physical and psychological health. Students may be asked to provide documentation of a recent physical examination. Many health programs require the student to be able to safely lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are made for students with disabilities. However, some disabilities may prohibit students from completing program specific competencies or gaining employment. Students with disabilities that may interfere with completing program competencies are advised to contact the School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety (HWPS) Office for more information.
Program Fees: Program fees cover costs incurred on behalf of the student for student-issued equipment, background checks, drug screens, initial treatment/counseling in the event of a needle stick or exposure to bodily fluids, etc.
Transportation: Students are responsible for their own transportation to off-campus training sites (i.e. clinical courses at hospitals, internships, etc.).
The Pharmacy Technician program typically has a high placement rate for its graduates. Jobs are available in hospitals, retail and specialty pharmacies. Graduates are eligible to take the National Certification exam for pharmacy technicians. Graduates who have taken the certification exam have consistently scored higher than the national average.
Students planning to continue their educations at higher education institutions are encouraged to take CHEM 1410/CHEM 1492 and COMM 2221.
This program’s first term courses are offered every other term. This may delay a student’s program start date. Please check with an academic advisor for more information.
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