Thirteen slots in Texas Health’s new Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship Program — which includes six weeks of paid tuition and a full-time job — will be posted Wednesday, April 6.
The program was developed in response to the shortage of pharmacy technicians across North Texas, said Bianca Randall, M.H.A., manager, pharmacy emergency department operations.
“It really is a win-win for both sides,” she said. “From the trainees’ perspective, it’s an opportunity for somebody who may not have had the funds or the time, or didn’t know where to start with getting into pharmacy. From a system perspective, it helps us mitigate the shortage and offers career opportunities.”
Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with tasks such as counting pills, making intravenous solutions, data entry, delivery of medications to hospital units, inventory management and ordering medications from vendors.
The positions are open to both internal and external job candidates. Texas Health employees interested in applying can navigate to mythr.org, then to Texas Health Links and then MyJobsTHR. External candidates can view and apply to the opportunities on our career site.
The new program is similar to the Fast-Track Patient Care Technician Apprenticeship Program launched late last year. The pharmacy apprentices will complete five to six hours a day of online coursework for six weeks and then go to Texas Health pharmacies for hands-on training.
Building on success
Texas Health entities participating during this first phase of the program are Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance, Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, Texas Health Medical Support (also known as Central Pharmacy) and Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest Fort Worth. Texas Health Resources University developed the program in collaboration with pharmacy leaders.
Rebecca Ginn, Pharm.D., manager of pharmacy operations, Gregory Johnson, senior director of oncology and pharmacy and Valeria Perez, post-graduate second-year pharmacy resident — all at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas — were instrumental in early stages of the program, pulling together information and bringing it to Randell Ball, system pharmacy officer.
The only requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, but candidates will need to be able to register as a pharmacy technician in training with the state Board of Pharmacy, which has rules regarding convicted felons and other situations. Those who complete the training will have six months to first pass a national exam to become licensed pharmacy technicians. Once they pass, they can register with the state board.
“This program fills a need and builds on the success of our PCT apprentice program,” said Mark Morales, vice president and chief learning officer. “It’s another tool we can use to meet both our current and future healthcare workforce needs.”
