Pharmacy Tech College
How to Choose the Best One Near Florence Arizona

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Florence AZ so you can receive the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. Naturally the initial step is to locate schools that offer the degree or diploma that you would like to earn. When looking for pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are important factors when choosing a school, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. And if you are interested in studying at home by means of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and others that you will need 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 classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy techs have numerous job functions, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Florence AZ pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they can assist customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the common daily functions a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Receive and help customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Enter customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and control inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work after hours is an extremely fulfilling career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two alternatives to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an accepted Florence AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech colleges elect to get certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Also, many Florence AZ employers 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, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every two years by each program, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges

Prior to choosing a pharmacist tech online program, it's important to realize that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Florence pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to obtain some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed over the internet in your Florence AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for many students, notably for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs for commuting and course materials may be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online school you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online instruction may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

Once you have decided whether you wish to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy tech colleges to pick from in the Florence AZ area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Florence home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are many other factors that you need to take into consideration so that you may effectively compare schools. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Many pharmacist technician programs and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Don't forget to check that the certificate or degree program together with the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you get a quality education, it may assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Florence 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 every state, but many pharmacies prefer that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech school should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of work experience. This qualification may be met by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates a year of professional experience for certification, which can be met by means of 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 degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Florence AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first position in Florence AZ upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a daunting task without any support. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, 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 generating 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 School Located? For many students, the school they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Florence AZ residence. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical teacher to student 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 talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist tech program you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Florence AZ area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Florence

Choose the Right Florence Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the right pharmacy tech training is an important first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where helping customers with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy tech schools incorporate both clinical and classroom work. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to choose a program that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This holds true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate education and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Florence Arizona.

 

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