Home >> Arizona >> Apache Junction >> Pharmacy Tech Certificate


Pharmacy Technician Training
Receive Free Information - Apache Junction AZ 85117

Pharmacy Tech College
How to Find the Right One Near Apache Junction Arizona

Apache Junction Arizona female pharmacy tech assisting senior womanIt’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Apache Junction AZ so you can get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently enroll in the right one? When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are important factors when picking a college, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. And if you prefer studying in your home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below

Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities

Apache Junction Arizona female pharmacy tech stocking shelves

Pharmacy techs have various job responsibilities, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Apache Junction AZ pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice concerning medications or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the common daily tasks a pharmacy technician might perform are:

  • Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
  • Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
  • Add prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
  • Call customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
  • Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
  • Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, particularly for newer technicians with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work after hours is a very fulfilling career assisting people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Diplomas and Degrees

Apache Junction Arizona hospital pharmacy tech in white lab coatStudents wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 options to becoming a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also include an internship at an approved Apache Junction AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician programs opt to get certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Apache Junction AZ pharmacies will only hire a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

  • National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
  • Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every two years by each program, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Programs

Apache Junction Arizona woman enrolled in pharmacy technician school onlinePrior to choosing a pharmacy technician online training program, it's necessary to understand that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in an area Apache Junction pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech in order to acquire some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed over the internet in your Apache Junction AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, particularly for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online schools are frequently more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials can be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that each online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online classes may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have decided whether you want to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacy technician schools to pick from in the Apache Junction AZ area and throughout the USA, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Apache Junction home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are many other variables that you need to take into consideration in order to effectively compare colleges. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a complete superior education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping make sure that you get a quality education, it might assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And many Apache Junction AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician program should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This condition may be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates a year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the colleges have a working relationship with Apache Junction AZ area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial position in Apache Junction AZ after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a challenging endeavor without any assistance. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Apache Junction AZ residence. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy technician program you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Apache Junction AZ area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Apache Junction

Choose the Best Apache Junction Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to starting your career in a fulfilling profession where assisting people with their health is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy technician colleges include both clinical and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to enroll in a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the right training and commitment you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Apache Junction Arizona.




 

Apache Junction Pharmacy Technician Certificate | Apache Junction Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online