The Pharmacy Technology program at Northwest Vista College achieved a 100% pass rate in 2019 on the national certification exam required for entry-level pharmacy technicians. This means that all students in the program at NVC who attempted the exam passed it. Nationally, the average passing rate for pharmacy technicians in 2019 was 58%.
Pharmacy Technology Program Coordinator Marlena Lomas attributes the success rate at Northwest Vista College to the quality of the program. She says NVC’s 100% passing rate is a combination of faculty effort of those teaching full-time and part-time.
“Faculty are placing emphasis on exam core objectives and exam preparation within each course,” Lomas said. She also noted, “Of course, great credit is also attributed to the dedication and perseverance of our students enrolled in the program.”
So far in 2020, Northwest Vista College has maintained its 100% passing rate.
The Pharmacy Technology program provides students with the technical knowledge and practical skills required of an entry-level technician in both community and hospital pharmacy settings. This certificate program offers a comprehensive curriculum of instructional as well as hands-on training in prescription filling, inventory packaging, patient profiling, sterile products preparation, and pharmacy calculations.
The Pharmacy Technology program at NVC is a top performing program nationally. It’s the only ASHP accredited program in San Antonio and one of few ASHP accredited programs in Texas.
ASHP is a professional organization representing nearly 55,000 members of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and students pursuing the field. The organization has been in existence for 75 years in an effort to improve medication and enhance patient safety.
According to the Occupational Outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth of pharmacy technicians is expected to jump by 7% which is two percentage higher than the average for all occupations. The data was last updated on April 10, 2020. In the Alamo Region, occupational projections indicate a 20% growth for pharmacy technicians by year 2026, according to Texas Labor Market Information. The annual projected job openings in Texas, according to CareerOneStop.org, will be 3,500.
There are 73 students at Northwest Vista College currently taking courses within the program. Students can pursue Associate of Applied Science Degree in Pharmacy Technology or Certificate in Pharmacy Technology ASHP Professional.
To learn more about the program, go to alamo.edu/nvc/pharmacytech.
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