Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Pick the Best One Near Prescott Arizona

Now it’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Prescott AZ so you can receive the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating colleges so that you ultimately pick the best one? When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are critical concerns when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. And if you are interested in attending classes in your home in front of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have multiple job duties, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Prescott AZ pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the regular daily services a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Welcome and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist supervision
• Input prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, particularly for newer technicians with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work off-hours is a very rewarding career helping people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Diplomas and Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also require an internship at an accepted Prescott AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy technician programs elect to become certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Prescott AZ employers will only hire a technician that is certified. There are two 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 completed a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every 2 years by both programs, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Classes Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacy technician online program, it's necessary to realize that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in a local Prescott pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to get some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed over the internet in your Prescott AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, especially for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online programs are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online school you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online instruction may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

Once you have decided whether you wish to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacy technician schools to select from in the Prescott AZ area and throughout the USA, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast 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 residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are several other issues that you must consider in order to adequately compare colleges. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Many pharmacist tech colleges and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Don't forget to check that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it can assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And many Prescott AZ employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacy technician college should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the colleges have a working relationship with Prescott AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that first job in Prescott AZ upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging endeavor without any support. Ask if the schools you are considering have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Prescott AZ home. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose 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 typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician college you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Prescott AZ area, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Prescott

Choose the Right Prescott Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to starting your career in a gratifying occupation where assisting customers with their wellness is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacy technician schools include both clinical and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to choose a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are certain to make the right selection. With the appropriate training and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Prescott Arizona.

 

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