Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Chandler Arizona

Having decided to earn your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Chandler AZ, you might be wondering just how to choose the ideal school to get your education and training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately enroll in the right one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are critical concerns when choosing a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into account as well. And if you prefer attending classes at home by means of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have multiple job responsibilities, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Chandler AZ pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice concerning medications or anything else. Any such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. Several of the regular daily functions a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Greet and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Enter prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and control inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work off-hours is a very fulfilling career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally two alternatives to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an accepted Chandler AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually involves about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech programs choose to get certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Additionally, many Chandler AZ pharmacies will only employ a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every two years by each program, which can be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Programs

Before choosing a pharmacist tech online school, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in a local Chandler pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy technician so as to get some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed over the internet in your Chandler AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, particularly for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials may be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online classes might be the ideal solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

Once you have determined whether you would like to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist tech colleges to select from in the Chandler AZ area and throughout the USA, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Chandler home. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you should take into consideration so that you may effectively compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And many Chandler AZ employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacy technician college should ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of work experience. This qualification may be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which can be satisfied through an internship program. One of the best ways to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the programs have associations with Chandler AZ area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial position in Chandler AZ upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a daunting task without any assistance. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Chandler AZ residence. Those who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy tech college you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Chandler AZ area, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Chandler

Choose the Best Chandler Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the right pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to launching your career in a rewarding profession where assisting customers with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained techs. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy tech colleges incorporate both classroom and clinical work. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the proper education and commitment you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Chandler Arizona.

 

Chandler Pharmacy Technician Schools | Chandler Pharmacy Technician Training