Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Sun Lakes Arizona

Having made the decision to earn your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Sun Lakes AZ, you might be pondering how to select the best school to get your education and training. Of course the first step is to locate colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you are interested in. Many prospective students start by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are critical concerns when choosing a school, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. And if you prefer attending classes in your home in front of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online program will also be included in your vetting process. We will go over these qualifications and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have various job duties, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Sun Lakes AZ pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an extensive 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 circumstance should they ever offer medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. All such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the common daily tasks a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Greet and help customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Add prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, particularly for newer techs with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work off-hours is a very rewarding career helping customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two alternatives to becoming a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Sun Lakes 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 comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician programs opt to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Sun Lakes AZ employers will only employ a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 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 only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Programs

Before deciding on a pharmacist tech online school, it's important to realize that most schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in an area Sun Lakes pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken online in your Sun Lakes AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, notably for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online colleges are often less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials may be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online college you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online instruction might be the right solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

Once you have decided whether you want to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist technician programs to select from in the Sun Lakes AZ area and throughout the USA, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Sun Lakes residence. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are several other variables that you must consider so that you may effectively compare programs. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech colleges and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Be sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Sun Lakes AZ pharmacies 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 all states, but numerous pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician program needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of work experience. This requirement may be met by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates 1 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 tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the programs have a working relationship with Sun Lakes AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first job in Sun Lakes AZ after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some assistance. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their Sun Lakes AZ home. Students who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the typical 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 an opportunity to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy tech college you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Sun Lakes AZ area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify 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 because of work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Sun Lakes

Enroll in the Right Sun Lakes Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to launching your career in a rewarding occupation where assisting people with their health is your mission. In the past, most pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist technician programs include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to choose a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This holds true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the ideal selection. With the proper education and determination you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Sun Lakes Arizona.

 

Sun Lakes Pharmacy Technician Training | Sun Lakes Pharmacy Technician Courses