Mega Doctor News
Texas A&M University’s Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy is responding to the increasing demand for pharmacy technicians in Texas by expanding the Aggie Pharmacy Technician Program (PTP) to the Rio Grande Valley.
Students can now receive pharmacy technician training through Texas A&M University at the Texas A&M Higher Education Center at McAllen.
“The Rangel College of Pharmacy’s mission has always been to serve the underserved region of South Texas and to develop future leaders in pharmacy practice,” said Andrea Mora, Aggie PTP program director, clinical associate professor and associate department head of pharmacy practice. “By expanding our program to the Texas A&M Higher Education Center at McAllen, we are increasing accessibility and convenience for students in the Rio Grande Valley and offering a program that is high quality and affordable.”
Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role alongside pharmacists in various health care settings, including hospitals, clinics and pharmacies to prepare and dispense medications, manage inventory, administer vaccines and facilitate communication with patients and health care providers.
The Aggie PTP curriculum is shorter than many other programs and is based on a model where students practice in retail or hospital pharmacies what they learn in the classroom and lab.
The program is delivered in a hybrid fashion, where most of the didactic content is delivered online and the simulation and laboratory component will be conducted in-person at the Texas A&M Higher Education Center at McAllen. All in-person courses will be taken simultaneously with students in the Kingsville and College Station campuses. Students will be connected through videoconference and will be learning together from three campuses.
The program also provides American Pharmacists Association Immunization Delivery training for technicians. Upon completion of the program and passing the national certification exam, students will be certified to administer certain immunizations.
The cost of tuition is half as much as the average cost of other technician programs in Texas and less than half the cost of the leading programs in the Rio Grande Valley. The WoodNext Foundation generously gifted the Rangel College of Pharmacy $1 million to create the Aggie Pharmacy Technician Program and support incoming students in various ways, including scholarships.
The program is seeking American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) and American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) accreditation, ensuring quality and compliance with their standards, as well as the principled Texas A&M standards. Unique to Aggie PTP, courses are taught by Rangel College of Pharmacy Pharm.D. and Ph.D. faculty, and academic support is provided to participants through Pharm.D. peer mentors and other supplemental instructors.
“The Aggie PTP is looking for applicants who are hard-working, motivated, conscientious with high morals, and eager to make a positive impact on patients’ lives,” Mora said.
The program is currently accepting applicants for its campus locations in McAllen, Kingsville and College Station.
To learn more about eligibility or to apply, visit Aggie PTP.
