Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Select the Right One Near Queen Creek Arizona

Now it’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Queen Creek AZ in order to receive the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Usually the initial step is to locate schools that offer the degree or certificate that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are critical concerns when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. You might also choose to take a look at some accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifications 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 technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have multiple job functions, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Queen Creek AZ pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily services a pharmacy technician might perform are:

• Receive and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
• Input prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and manage inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, particularly for newer technicians with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work off-hours is an extremely rewarding career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Diplomas and Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically two alternatives to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also include an internship at an approved Queen Creek AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

Certification is not required in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician colleges choose to become certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Queen Creek AZ pharmacies will only employ a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the candidate be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Programs Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacist technician online college, it's necessary to understand that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in an area Queen Creek pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to receive some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online in your Queen Creek AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, notably for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online colleges are frequently more affordable than traditional 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 colleges are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online school you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online training may be the best solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have decided whether you want to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacist technician programs to choose from in the Queen Creek AZ area and throughout the Country, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Queen Creek residence. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other factors that you should consider in order to effectively compare colleges. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech colleges and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a complete quality education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Along with helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it can help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Queen Creek AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but many pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician college needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor 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 work 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 satisfy the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with Queen Creek AZ area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first job in Queen Creek AZ upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some support. Find out if the colleges you are looking at 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 an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Queen Creek AZ home. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician program you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Queen Creek AZ area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Queen Creek

Choose the Right Queen Creek Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the right pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a gratifying profession where helping customers with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, many pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician programs include both clinical and classroom training. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to enroll in a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are certain to make the right selection. With the right education and commitment you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Queen Creek Arizona.

 

Queen Creek Pharmacy Technician Classes | Queen Creek Pharmacy Tech Schools