Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Rio Rico Arizona

Now that you have made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Rio Rico AZ, you may be wondering how to select the right college to get your education and training. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you ultimately enroll in the right one? When looking for pharmacy technician programs, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are critical concerns when selecting a school, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as 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 program will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifications 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 degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy techs have various job responsibilities, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Rio Rico AZ pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they can assist customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice relating to medications or anything else. All such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the common daily services a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

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

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the reward 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 Degrees and Certificates

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially 2 options to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also include an internship at an approved Rio Rico AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program should provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician colleges choose to get certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, many Rio Rico AZ employers will only hire a tech 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 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, 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 exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Schools

Prior to selecting a pharmacy tech online program, it's necessary to understand that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Rio Rico pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to acquire some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be taken over the internet in your Rio Rico AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for many students, notably for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online college you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online training might be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have decided whether you would like to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist technician colleges to choose from in the Rio Rico AZ area and throughout the USA, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Rio Rico residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other factors that you should consider so that you may adequately compare programs. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Many pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online programs may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Be sure to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Along with helping ensure that you get a quality education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Rio Rico AZ pharmacies 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 all states, but numerous employers desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician program needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which may be met with an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with Rio Rico AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Finding that initial position in Rio Rico AZ upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a difficult task without some support. Find out if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Rio Rico AZ home. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry 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 perhaps 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 often charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy tech school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Rio Rico AZ area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Rio Rico

Enroll in the Right Rio Rico Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the best pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to starting your career in a rewarding occupation where assisting customers with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, many pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". These days, most employers can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist technician schools include both laboratory and classroom work. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to select a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to compare programs so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the right training and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Rio Rico Arizona.

 

Rio Rico Pharmacy Technician Schools | Rio Rico Pharmacy Technician Training