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

Now that you have made the decision to earn your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Somerton AZ, you might be thinking about just how to select the ideal college to receive your education and training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the best one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are critical factors when picking a school, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. And if you prefer studying at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifications and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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

Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have numerous job functions, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Somerton AZ pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no situation should they ever give medical advice relating to medications or anything else. Any such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Greet and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription medications under pharmacist supervision
• Input customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Prepare 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 techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is a very satisfying career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

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 options to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an approved Somerton AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program should provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech schools choose to get certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, a number of Somerton AZ employers will only hire a tech that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are 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 professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every 2 years by both programs, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Classes Online

Prior to deciding on a pharmacist tech online program, it's important to understand that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is usually fulfilled in an area Somerton pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to acquire some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed over the internet in your Somerton AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, especially for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs for commuting and study materials can be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online college you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have decided whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacy tech colleges to choose from in the Somerton AZ area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Somerton home. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are many other factors that you need to consider in order to properly compare schools. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Many pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded 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 comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Make sure to check that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Somerton AZ employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but a number of employers desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacy tech college needs to ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This requirement may be met by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates a year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Somerton AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial position in Somerton AZ upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting task without some 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 indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Somerton AZ residence. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician program you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Somerton AZ area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Find Out More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Somerton

Enroll in the Right Somerton Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the ideal pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where assisting customers with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, many pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacists can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacy tech colleges incorporate both classroom and clinical training. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to choose a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the proper education and dedication you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Somerton Arizona.

 

Somerton Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online | Somerton Pharmacy Technician Programs