Pharmacy Tech School
How to Choose the Right One Near Somerton Arizona

Now that you have made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Somerton AZ, you may be thinking about how to choose the ideal college to get your education and training. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing colleges so that you ultimately pick the ideal one? A number of future students begin by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are important factors when selecting a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation must be taken into account as well. You may also decide to look into several 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 to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have multiple job duties, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Somerton AZ pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the typical daily functions a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

• Greet and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist supervision
• Add prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor 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, especially for newer techs with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work after hours is an extremely fulfilling career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Certificates and Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Somerton AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically takes about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

Certification is not required in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician colleges elect to become certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Somerton AZ pharmacies will only employ a tech that is certified. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has finished 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 exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by both programs, which may be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Schools

Before deciding on a pharmacy technician online program, it's important to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is typically fulfilled in an area Somerton pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy tech in order to acquire some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be taken online in your Somerton AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, especially for those who continue to work while attaining their certificate or degree. And online schools are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs for driving and course materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that any online program 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 study with a less structured form of education, then online training may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

Once you have decided whether you would like to attain a certificate or degree, 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 a large number of pharmacy tech schools to pick from in the Somerton AZ area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Somerton home. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are several other variables that you need to take into consideration in order to effectively compare colleges. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacist tech colleges and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a complete superior education. Online schools may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Be sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you obtain a superior education, it might assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Somerton AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician school needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This qualification can be satisfied by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which can be satisfied by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech 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 colleges have a working relationship with Somerton AZ area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial job in Somerton AZ upon graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some assistance. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will need to be within travelling distance of their Somerton AZ residence. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online obviously 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 decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally 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.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the rear 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 considering what the typical 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 an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist technician college you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Somerton AZ area, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option 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 due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Somerton

Choose the Best Somerton Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the right pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to starting your career in a fulfilling profession where helping customers with their wellness is your objective. Traditionally, many pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacy technician programs include both clinical and classroom work. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to choose a college that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the right training and commitment you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Somerton Arizona.

 

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