Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Prescott Arizona
Having made the decision to attain your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Prescott AZ, you might be pondering just how to pick the right school to get your education and training. Usually the first step is to find schools that offer the certificate or degree that you would like to earn. Many future students begin by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are significant factors when deciding on a school, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. You might also want to research a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address 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 technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online courses.
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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties
Pharmacy techs have many job responsibilities, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Prescott AZ pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they may help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice pertaining to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the common daily duties a pharmacy technician may perform are:
- Welcome and help customers with medications and other questions
- Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
- Input customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
- Contact 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 techs will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work off-hours is an extremely fulfilling career helping customers with their health and wellness.
Pharmacy Technician 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 generally 2 options to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Many programs also include an internship at an approved Prescott AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.
Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available
Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician schools opt to become certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Prescott AZ employers will only employ a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
The NHA requires 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 only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Technician Programs Online
Before deciding on a pharmacy tech online college, 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 Prescott pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to get some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed online in your Prescott AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, notably for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online schools are often more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials may be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online program you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online instruction may be the best option for you.
What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
Once you have decided whether you wish to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are many pharmacist technician schools to pick from in the Prescott AZ area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Prescott home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other factors that you must consider in order to effectively compare schools. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.
Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacist technician programs and trade schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a complete superior education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it can assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And many Prescott AZ employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy tech college needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of experience for certification, which can be satisfied through 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 tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the programs have a working relationship with Prescott AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial job in Prescott AZ upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some help. Find out if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Prescott AZ residence. Students who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may 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 don't reside within their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy technician program you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Prescott AZ area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Prescott
Enroll in the Right Prescott Pharmacy Tech Program
Getting the ideal pharmacy technician training is an important first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where assisting customers with their wellness is your objective. In the past, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech schools include both classroom and clinical work. As we have covered in this article, it's important to enroll in a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the best selection. With the right training and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Prescott Arizona.
Prescott Pharmacy Tech Schools | Prescott How To Become A Pharmacy Tech