Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Sierra Vista Arizona

Having decided to attain your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Sierra Vista AZ, you might be thinking about how to choose the ideal school to receive your education and training. Naturally the initial step is to find colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are significant concerns when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers including reputation and accreditation should be considered as well. You may also decide to look into some accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have multiple job functions, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Sierra Vista AZ pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever give medical advice pertaining to prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the common daily functions a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

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

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, particularly for newer techs with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work off-hours is a very fulfilling career helping people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Certificates

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 alternatives to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also include an internship at an approved Sierra Vista AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally 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 down the road. Either program should provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician schools elect to get certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Sierra Vista AZ employers will only hire a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every two years by both programs, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges

Before selecting a pharmacist technician online program, it's important to understand that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in a local Sierra Vista pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech in order to get some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be taken online in your Sierra Vista AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, notably for those who keep working while attaining their certificate or degree. And online schools are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and study materials can be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online school you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, 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 solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

After you have determined whether you want to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy tech programs to choose from in the Sierra Vista AZ area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Sierra Vista home. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are many other variables that you should consider so that you may adequately compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacy technician colleges and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a complete superior education. Online colleges may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Besides helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Sierra Vista AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician college needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be met with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Check if the colleges have associations with Sierra Vista AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial job in Sierra Vista AZ upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without any support. Ask if the schools you are considering have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also means 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 pick will need to be within travelling distance of their Sierra Vista AZ residence. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. 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 might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally 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 way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy tech school you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Sierra Vista AZ area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify 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 may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Sierra Vista

Enroll in the Right Sierra Vista Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the ideal pharmacy tech training is an important first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where helping customers with their wellness is your mission. In the past, many pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy tech programs incorporate both laboratory and classroom work. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This is true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to compare colleges so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the right training and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Sierra Vista Arizona.

 

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