Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Queen Creek Arizona

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Queen Creek AZ so you can get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately enroll in the ideal one? When looking for pharmacy technician programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are critical concerns when selecting a school, they are not the sole 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 want to take a look at a few accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will go over 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 advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have various job functions, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Queen Creek AZ pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they can assist customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice regarding medications or anything else. All such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily services a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Greet and help customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
• Input prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and control inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work after hours is an extremely fulfilling career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Diplomas

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally two options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Queen Creek AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician colleges opt to become certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, a number of Queen Creek AZ pharmacies will only employ a tech 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 applicant be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Programs

Prior to deciding on a pharmacy tech online program, it's important to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is usually fulfilled in an area Queen Creek pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be taken over the internet in your Queen Creek AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, notably for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online colleges are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving 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 critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that each online college you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online classes might be the best solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have determined whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacist tech schools to choose from in the Queen Creek AZ area and throughout the USA, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Queen Creek residence. If you are able to relocate 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 take into consideration 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 School Accredited? Most pharmacy tech colleges and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it can assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Queen Creek AZ employers 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 many employers prefer that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician program should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This requirement can be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates a year of professional experience for certification, which may be met with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the schools have a working relationship with Queen Creek AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Finding that first position in Queen Creek AZ upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a daunting endeavor without any assistance. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job assistance 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 appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Queen Creek AZ residence. Those who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even 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 usually charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit 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 determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist tech college you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Queen Creek AZ area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

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

Choose the Best Queen Creek Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the ideal pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to launching your career in a gratifying profession where helping customers with their wellness is your mission. In the past, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist technician schools incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to choose a program 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 other tips you will be able to compare colleges so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the proper education and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Queen Creek Arizona.

 

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