Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Drexel Heights Arizona

Having decided to attain your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Drexel Heights AZ, you may be wondering just how to pick the ideal college to receive your education and training. Usually the first step is to locate schools that offer the certificate or degree that you would like to earn. A number of potential students begin by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are critical concerns when selecting a college, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. You may also choose to research a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have multiple job functions, 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 Drexel Heights AZ pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can assist customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. Any such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily services a pharmacy technician might perform are:

• Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
• Enter prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and manage inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day standing. 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 sometimes being required to work off-hours is an extremely satisfying career helping people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Diplomas and Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 options 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 accomplished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also include an internship at an approved Drexel Heights AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

Certification is not required in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician colleges opt to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Drexel Heights AZ employers will only employ a tech that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every two years by each program, which can be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Schools Online

Before choosing a pharmacy technician online training program, it's important to realize that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is commonly satisfied in an area Drexel Heights pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy technician in order to obtain some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be taken online in your Drexel Heights AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, notably for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online schools are often more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online school you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online classes may be the ideal solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

Once you have decided whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist tech colleges to choose from in the Drexel Heights AZ area and throughout the Country, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Drexel Heights home. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are several other variables that you must take into consideration so that you may properly compare colleges. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Many pharmacy tech programs and trade schools have acquired a regional or national 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 certified to provide a complete quality education. Online programs may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Make sure to check that the degree or certificate program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you obtain a quality education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Drexel Heights AZ employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but many pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech school should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This requirement can be met by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires one year of professional experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the colleges have associations with Drexel Heights AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in Drexel Heights AZ after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult endeavor without any help. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Drexel Heights AZ residence. Students who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to bear 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 commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching 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 an opportunity to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy tech school you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Drexel Heights AZ area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Drexel Heights

Enroll in the Right Drexel Heights Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the best pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to launching your career in a gratifying profession where assisting people with their health is your objective. In the past, many pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy technician schools incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the ideal choice. With the appropriate training and dedication you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Drexel Heights Arizona.

 

Drexel Heights Pharmacy Technician Classes | Drexel Heights Pharmacy Tech Schools