by Brandi Miller for the FCT

In today’s job market having any advantage that can be offered is crucial and often means the difference between employment and unemployment.  Seven students at Red Bay High School are currently enrolled in a course that they hope will prove to be an advantage when they enter the workforce in a few short months or years.

Passassured is a new online course currently being offered at RBHS.  When students register for Passassured they are enrolled in an online pharmacology course that prepares them to take their state pharmacy tech board exam.  There are a few requirements before students can enroll in the online course.  Students must be a senior, be enrolled in a health science class, and must turn eighteen by the time they graduate in May.  Upon graduation, students who have completed the course have the opportunity to take their state board exam.  If the student passes the exam he/she is a certified pharmacy technician and can begin working in a pharmacy.   This provides an opportunity for students to earn money while attending college or use pharmacy tech as a career upon graduation.

“It has been a great opportunity for me, said senior class member Kennadie Rooker.

“It is a very challenging course, but it is going to prepare me for my college courses and career in medicine.”

The cost of the course is $350 and is paid through the state department of education.  Career technical education is a growing and highly popular field and because of this the state department has set aside specific funding for certification.  Career Technical education now offers various certifications for students to assist in finding jobs when leaving high school.

“This is the first step on my road in the medical field,” said senior class member Jodi Page.

“I’m really thankful to be in the first class to ever have this great opportunity at Red Bay.”

“This is an awesome opportunity for students to obtain credentials not only for a career as a pharmacy tech, but some of these students desire to obtain a professional career as a pharmacist and this will prove to be very beneficial to them while in college due to the knowledge they obtain form this course,” said teacher Dr. Kay Hargett. “They can also work as a pharmacist technician while attending college.”

The pharmacy tech course is offered to not only students at RBHS, but also at the Franklin County Career Tech Center located in Belgreen.  There are currently 7 students enrolled in the course at RBHS and 5 at the Career Tech Center.