Pasco-Hernando State College Volume XL, Issue II - Fall 2017 | Page 19

ications
P
harmacists believe technician certification is essential to
reducing medication errors, according to a 2010 study
published in the Journal of Pharmacy Technology. The
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) sponsored
survey concluded that lead pharmacists perceive certification as
an essential component to ensuring patient safety and increasing
positive health outcomes.
“The future is bright for well-trained pharmacy technicians. As
the roles and responsibilities in the field evolve, the demand
for educated pharmacy technicians increases, particularly in
institutional pharmacy settings,” said Kristen Overstreet BA,
CPhT, RPT, PHSC Pharmacy Technician Instructor and Program
Director. Overstreet brings 13 years of program development
and implementation experience to PHSC’s Pharmacy Technician
Certificate Program.
“Generally, people are surprised to learn that anyone who
completes a board approved program and passes
a background check can become registered and
work as a pharmacy technician. The big chain
pharmacies have established their own training
programs which allow them to hire and train
technicians to perform retail specific
tasks,” said Overstreet. However, in
addition to retail, the PHSC program
located at the Porter Campus
at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley
Chapel, provides training in a
variety of skill sets, such as
hospital (including chemotherapy
preparation), homecare,
long-term care, mail order
pharmacies, and many others.
Small class sizes of 12 students
per session, hands-on training
and clinical practicums in two
different pharmacy settings during
the program have contributed to the
success of graduates.
Now in its third year, the Pharmacy Technician
9-month program at the College has graduated
19 students and boasts an 83 percent pass
rate on the first attempt of the Pharmacy
Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)—quite an
accomplishment since the passing rate for
the national exam in the past three years is
57.3 percent.
Also in its third year, PHSC’s Surgical Technology
Certificate program is quite successful having had
its first six graduates pass the national certification
exam—with nine students waiting for results from
the July 2017 National Board of Surgical Technology
and Surgical
Assisting (NBSTSA)
certification exam.
Sherry Payne,
Surgical Technology
Instructor and Program Coordinator, explains all classes within
the 18-month program, also located at the Porter Campus, are
in-person hands-on training with lectures. “We have partnered
with six local hospitals for a 10-month rotation providing real-time
clinical experience from the highest quality health care institutions
in the Tampa Bay area,” said Payne.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the position of
surgical technologist is expecting a tremendous increase in new
job opportunities through the year 2020.
“As our program gains popularity, especially being newly
accredited, we are looking to the future of our health programs to
offer Associate in Science degrees in ancillary care,” said Payne.
“Earning a certificate will get program completers in the job
market more quickly, but an associate’s degree can boost career
opportunities and higher wages.”
With demand growing, students interested in these programs are
encouraged to contact an advisor for information and apply early.
Health Programs Receive Accreditation
Pasco-Hernando State College recently received
accreditation on the Surgical Technology technical
credit program and the Pharmacy Technician
certificate program.
The peer review conducted by the Accreditation Review
Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical
Assisting (ARC/STSA) and CAAHEP’s Board of Directors
approved a full five-year accreditation, and recognizes
the PHSC surgical technology program’s substantial
compliance with nationally established accreditation
standards.
The Pharmacy Technician certificate program received a
full three-year accreditation from the American Society of
Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) and The Accreditation
Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
“Receiving these accreditations is a major milestone for
our health programs and assures students, graduates
and employers that PHSC offers clearly defined,
comprehensive curricula that meets national education
and quality standards in the surgical technology and
pharmacy technician fields,” said Dean of Nursing and
Health Programs Billie Gabbard, MSN, RN.
FALL 2017
19