Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Choose the Right One Near Goodyear Arizona

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Goodyear AZ in order to get the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately pick the ideal one? A number of future students begin by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are important factors when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. And if you prefer attending classes in your 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 address these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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

Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have many job duties, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Goodyear AZ pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medications 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. However, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. Several of the common daily duties a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Welcome and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Add customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are ready 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 technicians will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, especially for newer techs with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work off-hours is a very fulfilling career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degree Programs

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially 2 options to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also include an internship at an approved Goodyear AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Choices

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy technician schools opt to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Goodyear AZ pharmacies will only employ a tech that is certified. 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, has graduated from high school, has finished 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 2 years by both programs, which can be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Schools Online

Prior to selecting a pharmacist tech online school, it's important to understand that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in an area Goodyear pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to receive some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be taken over the internet in your Goodyear AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, particularly for those who keep working while attaining their certificate or degree. And online programs are often less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and costs for commuting and study materials may be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online college 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 learn with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction might be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have decided whether you wish to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacist tech schools to select from in the Goodyear AZ area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Goodyear residence. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other issues that you must take into consideration in order to effectively compare colleges. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a complete superior education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Make sure to check that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Besides helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it can assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Goodyear AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician school should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which may be met by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Check if the schools have associations with Goodyear AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in Goodyear AZ upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult undertaking without any support. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they pick will have to be within driving distance of their Goodyear AZ home. Individuals who have opted 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. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually 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 person that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit 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 determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacist technician program you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Goodyear AZ area, make certain that they are offered. 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, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Goodyear

Choose the Right Goodyear Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the best pharmacy technician training is an important first step to beginning your career in a fulfilling profession where assisting customers with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy tech schools include both classroom and clinical training. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to select a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate training and dedication you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Goodyear Arizona.

 

Goodyear Pharmacy Tech Certificate | Goodyear Pharmacy Technician Schools