Wiregrass President Dr. Tina K. Anderson is proud to share that the college’s Pharmacy Technology program has been ranked number third in the state and eighth in the nation by Pharmacy Technician Guide.com website.

The website is designed to help those interested in the field to choose the best Pharmacy Technician programs in the state and nation. This distinction is based on a combination of tuition cost, quality of education, graduation rates, and student friendly services offered by the schools. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.

Jackie Spriggs, Dean for Academic Affairs for Allied Health, shared this about the program’s placement, “We are extremely excited to be ranked #3 in the state of Georgia and #8 in the nation by Pharmacy Technician Guide. Mr. Frank Barnett, Pharmacy Technology Program Coordinator and Exposure Control Coordinator, has done an outstanding job of ensuring students are prepared to pass certification and enter the job market fully competent in all duties of a licensed pharmacy technician.”

The Pharmacy Technology program is offered on the Valdosta Campus as a diploma or degree program. The occupational courses for the program can be completed in three semesters. Students training will consist of a combination of class, lab, and live work experience. The program is recognized as an accredited program by ASHP (American Society of Health – System Pharmacists).  The diploma program qualifies for the HOPE Grant, where students who could receive additional grant monies that can pay for their college tuition and fees.
 
In addition to being ranked among the top in the state and nation, the program also recently learned they were recognized as an approved program to train students in compounded sterile preparation. Frank Barnett added, “Wiregrass’ Pharmacy Technology Program is an approved training program. Graduates of the program are now eligible to become candidates for PTCB’s Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) exam after one year of in-field experience.  The future of pharmacy technicians is promising to continue to evolve as pharmacist are moving into other roles of medication therapy, and pharmacy technicians are being prepared to pick up traditional roles of a Pharmacists.  Wiregrass Pharmacy Technology Program is prepared for the evolution of the pharmacy technician career field to meet the needs of our service area pharmacies.”