Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Select the Right One Near Mesa Arizona
Now it’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Mesa AZ in order to receive the right training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Naturally the initial step is to locate schools that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are critical concerns when choosing a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications including accreditation and reputation should be evaluated as well. And if you are interested in studying in your home in front of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over 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 tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online courses.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below
Pharmacy Technician Job Duties
Pharmacy techs have various job responsibilities, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Mesa AZ pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever give medical advice concerning medications or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the common daily services a pharmacy technician may perform are:
- Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
- Dispense prescription medications under pharmacist direction
- Add prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
- Phone customers when their prescriptions 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 job, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is an extremely satisfying career helping customers with their health and well-being.
Pharmacy Technician Training Programs
Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially two options to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also include an internship at an approved Mesa AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.
Pharmacy Tech Certification Options
Certification is not required in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician programs elect to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, many Mesa AZ employers will only hire 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 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by each program, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Technician Online Schools
Before deciding on a pharmacist technician online program, it's important to understand that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in an area Mesa pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy tech so as to acquire some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken over the internet in your Mesa AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, notably for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online programs are often less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials can 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 certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that any online college you are looking at 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 supervised form of education, then online training may be the right solution for you.
What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs
After you have determined whether you would like to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist tech colleges to choose from in the Mesa AZ area and throughout the United States, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Mesa home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are several other variables that you need to take into consideration in order to adequately compare schools. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it can help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Mesa AZ employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many employers prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech college needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which may be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Mesa AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial job in Mesa AZ upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a challenging undertaking without any help. Ask if the schools you are researching have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Mesa AZ residence. Those who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep 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 might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy tech program you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Mesa AZ area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, 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 because of illness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Mesa
Enroll in the Right Mesa Pharmacy Tech School
Getting the ideal pharmacy tech 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 taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech colleges incorporate both clinical and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to choose a school that is accredited and will prep 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 sure to make the best selection. With the proper education and commitment you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Mesa Arizona.
Mesa Pharmacy Technician Schools | Mesa Pharmacy Technician Training