Pharmacy tech class a first at Bossier Technical School
28-Jan-2007: Erica Barmes has wanted to become a pharmacist since she was in the sixth grade.
And now the Airline High School senior is getting a jump start on her career goal by taking the pharmacy technician course at Bossier Technical School.
This spring semester is the first time the class has been offered at Bossier Technical School, located on the campus of Louisiana Technical College on North Market Street in Shreveport.
"I was very excited when I heard about this because I've always wanted to be a pharmacist, and I can get a guaranteed job when I graduate high school," Barmes said.
When Barmes and the eight other Bossier parish high school seniors enrolled in the class graduate, they will be able to obtain entry-level work as a pharmacy technician in retail pharmacies and hospitals.
After completing the class students will take the $129 National Pharmacy Technician Certification examination to become certified. They have to work in the field at least 600 hours before applying for a Louisiana state license for the job.
"Our goal is to have as many offerings as possible for skilled laborers so that they are highly employable when the leave here," said Carol Jean Johnston, principal for the technical school. "Of course we don't want them to stop their education here but they can at least get a job while continuing their secondary education."
Barmes said after she graduates she plans to work part time while attending college to become a pharmacist. Barmes' peer, Samantha Jernigan, said she wants to go to college part time and work full time as a pharmacy technician.
"It just feels like the right thing to do at this time," said Jernigan, a Benton High School senior. "It's fun and it seems like a good job to start out with."
Jernigan says she has a job lined up at the Louisiana State University Health Science Center.
Barbara Wortman, a registered nurse and certified pharmacy technician, instructs the class. Wortman says the class is needed at the high school level.
"There's a big need for them in this area and right now there are only about two places where people can get this type of training," Wortman said. "Older people are leaving the field and more people need medicine so they will be in high demand when they graduate."
The course includes training in medical and pharmaceutical terminology, basic anatomy and drug calculations. The course includes online and in-class instruction as well as job shadowing opportunities.
Students who want to take the class must be a graduating senior; be at least 17 by July 1 before entering senior year; have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and a 20 ACT score or if there is no ACT score students must have a minimum 3.2 GPA; and students have to have a minimum 3.0 GPA in all science and math classes.
"This is what the students really want and they can take it while its still free," Johnston said.
Source: Shreveport Times
