Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Sun City West Arizona

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Sun City West AZ in order to get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the right one? When looking for pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are important concerns when deciding on a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation must be taken into account as well. And if you are interested in studying at home in front of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifications and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy techs have multiple job duties, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Sun City West AZ pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Some of the common daily functions a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Receive and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Enter prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and control inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is an extremely satisfying career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially two options to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Sun City West AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required 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 furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy technician colleges opt to become certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Sun City West AZ employers will only hire a technician 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 applicant be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every two years by each program, which can be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Classes

Before deciding on a pharmacist technician online training program, it's important to realize that most programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in an area Sun City West pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy tech so as to receive some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online in your Sun City West AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, especially for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online colleges are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that each online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online classes might be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

Once you have decided whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist tech colleges to pick from in the Sun City West AZ area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Sun City West home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are several other issues that you need to take into consideration so that you may adequately compare programs. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Many pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it might help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many Sun City West AZ employers 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 mandated in all states, but a number of pharmacies desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician program should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This qualification may be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which can be fulfilled with an internship program. Perhaps the best way 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 a great way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the colleges have a working relationship with Sun City West AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial position in Sun City West AZ upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a daunting undertaking without any support. Find out if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Sun City West AZ residence. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently 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 back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Small classes enable 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 prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy tech college you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Sun City West AZ area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Sun City West

Choose the Right Sun City West Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the right pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a gratifying profession where assisting customers with their health is your objective. In the past, most pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist tech programs incorporate both classroom and clinical training. As we have covered in this article, it's important to select a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the proper training and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Sun City West Arizona.

 

Sun City West Pharmacy Tech Schools | Sun City West How To Become A Pharmacy Tech