Pharmacy Tech School
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Phoenix Arizona

Now that you have made the decision to attain your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Phoenix AZ, you may be pondering just how to choose the ideal program to receive your education and training. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently pick the right one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are important concerns when selecting a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers including accreditation and reputation should be considered as well. And if you prefer attending classes in your home in front of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifiers and some 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 diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have various job functions, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Phoenix 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 filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice relating to medications or anything else. All such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily functions a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Receive and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription medications under pharmacist direction
• Input prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and control inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, particularly for newer techs with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes being required to work after hours is a very gratifying career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degree Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally two alternatives to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an accepted Phoenix AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally requires about 2 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 in the future. Either program can furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Options

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician schools elect to become certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Also, a number of Phoenix AZ pharmacies will only employ a tech that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the candidate be at least 18 years old, 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 applicant 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 Classes Online

Before selecting a pharmacy technician online school, it's important to realize that most schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in an area Phoenix pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy tech in order to get some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed over the internet in your Phoenix AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, particularly for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online colleges are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online school you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online classes might be the ideal solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

Once you have determined whether you wish to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy technician programs to pick from in the Phoenix AZ area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Phoenix residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are many other variables that you should consider in order to effectively compare schools. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacy tech programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer a complete quality education. Online schools may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it may help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Phoenix 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 required in all states, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician school should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This condition can be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates a year of job experience for certification, which can be met with an internship program. One of the best ways to get 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 in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the programs have a working relationship with Phoenix AZ area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in Phoenix AZ upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging undertaking without any help. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Phoenix AZ home. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes obviously 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 choose 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 usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician program you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Phoenix AZ area, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Phoenix

Choose the Best Phoenix Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the best pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a gratifying occupation where helping customers with their health is your mission. Traditionally, many pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech programs incorporate both classroom and clinical training. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to enroll in a college that is accredited and will ready 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 evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the proper education and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Phoenix Arizona.

 

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