Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Peoria Arizona

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Peoria AZ in order to receive the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately enroll in the best one? Many future students start by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are important concerns when deciding on a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifications including accreditation and reputation must be considered as well. And if you prefer studying in your home by means of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have numerous job responsibilities, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Peoria AZ pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the common daily functions a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Welcome and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Input prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and control inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work after hours is a very satisfying career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 alternatives to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also require an internship at an accepted Peoria AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically requires about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician schools opt to become certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, many Peoria AZ pharmacies will only employ a tech that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which may be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Programs

Prior to choosing a pharmacy technician online program, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in a local Peoria pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to acquire some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed over the internet in your Peoria AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for many students, particularly for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. 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 reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, 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 training might be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

Once you have decided whether you want to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacy tech schools to select from in the Peoria AZ area and throughout the USA, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Peoria home. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are several other variables that you must take into consideration in order to effectively compare schools. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Many pharmacist tech colleges and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a complete superior education. Online schools may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance education. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you receive a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Peoria AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but a number of employers prefer that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacy technician program should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of work experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with Peoria AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first position in Peoria AZ after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without any support. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Peoria AZ residence. Those who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps 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 to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist tech program you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Peoria AZ area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Peoria

Choose the Best Peoria Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the ideal pharmacy technician training is an important first step to launching your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting customers with their wellness is your mission. In the past, many pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacists can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy technician schools include both clinical and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to choose a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to compare programs so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the proper training and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Peoria Arizona.

 

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