Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Find the Right One Near Flagstaff Arizona

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Flagstaff AZ so you can receive the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. Usually the initial step is to locate colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. When looking for pharmacy technician schools, 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 significant concerns when selecting a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifications including accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account as well. You may also decide to look into several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have many job responsibilities, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Flagstaff AZ pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they may help customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice pertaining to prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily services a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Greet and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
• Input prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, particularly for newer techs with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work after hours is a very rewarding career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Diplomas and Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 alternatives to becoming a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, 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 normally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved Flagstaff AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can furnish the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech schools choose to get certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Also, a number of Flagstaff AZ pharmacies will only hire a tech that is certified. There are two organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requires that the candidate be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every 2 years by each program, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Schools

Prior to selecting a pharmacist technician online school, it's important to understand that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Flagstaff pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to get some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online in your Flagstaff AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, especially for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online colleges are often less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials may be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that each online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online classes may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

After you have decided whether you want to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacist technician programs to pick from in the Flagstaff AZ area and throughout the Country, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Flagstaff residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are many other variables that you need to consider in order to adequately compare programs. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it might assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And many Flagstaff AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech program needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the colleges have associations with Flagstaff AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Securing that first position in Flagstaff AZ upon graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a challenging endeavor without some help. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Flagstaff AZ home. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy tech school you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Flagstaff AZ area, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Flagstaff

Enroll in the Right Flagstaff Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the right pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a gratifying profession where assisting people with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". These days, most employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist tech colleges incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have covered in this article, it's important to select a program that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true 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 evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the proper training and commitment you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Flagstaff Arizona.

 

Flagstaff Pharmacy Technician Training | Flagstaff Pharmacy Technician Courses