Becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician in Specialty and Infusion Services

At Texas Children’s, certified pharmacy technicians are at the heart of our efforts to deliver life-saving medications to young patients. In 2025, Texas Children’s Specialty Pharmacy will expand to an offsite location and will include new infusion pharmacy services. Specialty and infusion pharmacy technicians play a critical role in providing specialized care to children with complex medical needs. Now is an ideal time to explore training and certification in this rewarding career.

What Does a Technician in Specialty Pharmacy and Infusion Pharmacy Do?

Pharmacy technicians are the backbone of pharmacy practice, playing a vital role in delivering high-quality patient care. They ensure smooth daily operations, which directly impacts Texas Children’s ability to serve patients effectively.

In our Specialty Pharmacy and Infusion Pharmacy, their responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Processing medication orders and preparing prescriptions
• Proactively managing refills and scheduling home medication deliveries
• Accurately documenting patient records
• Practicing sterile compounding of IV medications for infusion services
• Supporting patients and families by troubleshooting insurance needs

In both specialty and infusion pharmacy services, technicians are key players in supporting pediatric care teams, offering patients and their families personalized and compassionate service that helps alleviate the stress of complex medical treatments.

“The best technicians I have worked with exhibit great attention to detail, strong communication skills, and a willingness to adapt to meet the evolving needs of our patients,” says Infusion Pharmacy Manager Lamees Loubani. “Having started my career as a pharmacy technician, I have a profound appreciation for their essential role and contributions to patient care.”

The Path to Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Texas

In Texas, becoming a certified pharmacy technician requires a few key steps:

• Complete a pharmacy technician training program: Accredited programs are available at community colleges, vocational schools or online. These programs typically cover topics such as pharmacology, medication safety and pharmacy law.
• Become certified: After completing your training, you’ll need to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) to become certified through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
• Register with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy: In Texas, all pharmacy technicians must register with the state board to legally work.
• Continue your education: Maintaining your certification requires completing continuing education credits every two years, ensuring you stay up to date with the latest advancements in pharmacy practice.

IV Certification: Taking Your Skills to the Next Level

For pharmacy technicians interested in more specialized roles, especially in Infusion Pharmacy, obtaining IV Sterile Compounding certification is a valuable credential. This additional training enables pharmacy technicians to prepare sterile intravenous medications, which are critical for patients receiving infusion treatments.

IV certification involves hands-on training in compounding techniques, safety protocols and preparing sterile products. In Texas, you can pursue this certification through accredited programs like those offered by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education or the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Why Get IV Certified?

• Broaden your career opportunities: IV certification opens doors to more specialized areas like our Infusion Pharmacy and Specialty Pharmacy.
• Work in infusion services: At Texas Children’s, infusion pharmacy services rely on IV-certified technicians to prepare life-saving medications for administration to children in the comfort of their homes.
• Obtain in-demand skills: With the growth of infusion pharmacy services, technicians with IV certification are in high demand.

Working in Specialty and Infusion Pharmacies

Specialty and infusion pharmacies focus on managing medications that require careful monitoring and have more administrative burden than traditional medications. Texas Children’s Specialty Pharmacy technicians work with some of the most vulnerable patient populations, coordinating care for patients such as organ transplant recipients or children with seizure disorders. They also ensure temperature sensitive medications are packaged appropriately before medications are delivered to the patient’s home. Infusion Pharmacy technicians prepare intravenous medications that will be administered at home, offering an additional layer of care and convenience. As a pharmacy technician in a specialty or infusion pharmacy environment, you’ll work closely with other care team members, pharmacists and insurance companies to ensure patients receive the best possible care.

Texas Children’s Specialty Pharmacy and Infusion Pharmacy Services Expansion

Texas Children’s Specialty Pharmacy, which just celebrated its eighth anniversary, serves 16 clinics across the Texas Children’s Hospital system, including locations at The Woodlands and West Campuses. Our pharmacy helps with everything from prior authorizations to same-day medication deliveries for patients within 60 miles of the hospital and next day medication delivery for those beyond 60 miles but within the state of Texas.

As part of an upcoming expansion, Texas Children’s is opening a new 40,000-square-foot facility in Missouri City in 2025. This state-of-the-art space will allow us to grow our Specialty Pharmacy’s services and add infusion pharmacy and compounding & repackaging services under one roof. These services enhance patient care by reducing hospital stays, improving care coordination and ensuring a smooth transition from hospital to home care.

“Patients can receive treatments in the comfort of their own homes while maintaining the high standards of care and safety they expect from Texas Children’s,” Lamees explains. “This approach not only supports their recovery but also promotes overall well-being.”

As a Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership (HSPAL) resident at Texas Children’s, Lamees collaborated with various teams, learned from outstanding leaders and immersed herself in our culture. As she begins her new role as manager, she is working to streamline workflows while maintaining high safety and quality standards. She is also encouraging open communication with her developing team to ensure they have the resources they need to work safely, effectively and efficiently. “I am eager to apply the insights I gained from different sides of pharmacy—inpatient, outpatient, finance, inventory and technology—to help our team expand into this new service line,” she says enthusiastically.

With the expansion, pharmacy technicians will have the chance to work in a modern facility designed to enhance patient care, making it easier for families to access the medications and infusion treatments their children need. This growth also means more opportunities for IV-certified pharmacy technicians to join our team and make a meaningful impact in pediatric care.

Opportunities at Texas Children’s Specialty Pharmacy

Texas Children’s is actively seeking certified pharmacy technicians to fill key roles in both our Specialty Pharmacy and Infusion Pharmacy. These technicians will prepare sterile medications, support in-home care and work as part of a collaborative team to deliver personalized care to patients.

We Are Looking For:

• IV-Certified Technicians: Certification in sterile compounding is a requirement for those applying for positions in infusion roles.
• Patient-Focused Technicians: We need team members who are committed to providing outstanding support to children with complex medical needs and their families.
• Team Players: Our environment thrives on collaboration, so we value technicians who work well within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Join Texas Children’s Pharmacy Team

Ready to make a difference in the lives of children with complex medical needs? Join our growing team. If you’re IV certified, passionate about patient care and excited about working in a specialized, fast-paced environment, explore our current openings and apply today!