Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Find the Right One Near Scottsdale Arizona

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Scottsdale AZ so you can get the right training to build a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. Of course the initial step is to find colleges that offer the certificate or degree that you would like to earn. A number of potential students start by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are significant concerns when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account also. And if you prefer studying at home by means of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will cover these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below

Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have numerous job responsibilities, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Scottsdale AZ pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the regular daily functions a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Welcome and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Add prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Fill out 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 the majority of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work off-hours is a very satisfying career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician program 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 regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Scottsdale AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally involves about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can furnish the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Choices

Certification is not required in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy tech programs opt to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, many Scottsdale AZ employers will only employ a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that offer 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 work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every 2 years by both programs, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Classes Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacist technician online program, it's important to understand that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in a local Scottsdale pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to acquire some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken over the internet in your Scottsdale AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, notably for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online programs are often less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online college you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online training may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

After you have determined whether you want to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy technician colleges to select from in the Scottsdale AZ area and throughout the United States, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Scottsdale home. If you are willing to move or are have decided 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 take into consideration in order to adequately compare colleges. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Most pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer a complete quality education. Online colleges may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance education. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you obtain a superior education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Scottsdale 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 required in every state, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacy technician school should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This requirement may be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which may be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the colleges have associations with Scottsdale AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial position in Scottsdale AZ upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult endeavor without any assistance. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Scottsdale AZ home. 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 local internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist technician program you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Scottsdale 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 have to enroll in. 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 Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Scottsdale

Enroll in the Right Scottsdale Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the best pharmacy technician training is an important first step to beginning your career in a fulfilling occupation where helping customers with their wellness is your mission. In the past, many pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained techs. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacy tech schools incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to select a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the appropriate training and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Scottsdale Arizona.

 

Scottsdale How To Become A Pharmacy Tech | Scottsdale Pharmacy Tech Certificate