Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Find the Right One Near Surprise Arizona

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Surprise AZ so you can receive the right training to build a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. Of course the initial step is to locate colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. A number of future students start by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are significant factors when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be evaluated also. You may also choose to research several accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifications and others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have multiple job responsibilities, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Surprise AZ pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they may help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the common daily functions a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Welcome and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist supervision
• Input customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and manage inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer techs with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work off-hours is a very gratifying career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically 2 options to becoming a tech 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 various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an accepted Surprise AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally 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 down the road. Either program can provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician programs elect to get certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, many Surprise AZ employers will only employ a tech that is certified. There are two organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be at least 18 years old, 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 candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which can be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges

Prior to deciding on a pharmacy tech online program, it's important to understand that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in a local Surprise pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy technician so as to obtain some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken over the internet in your Surprise AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online colleges are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online college you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online classes may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

Once you have decided whether you want to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist tech colleges to choose from in the Surprise AZ area and throughout the USA, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Surprise home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other factors that you must take into consideration so that you may adequately compare programs. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School 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). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to offer a complete quality education. Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Make sure to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you receive a superior education, it can help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Surprise AZ employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many employers prefer that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacy tech school needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be met with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the schools have associations with Surprise AZ area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Securing that first position in Surprise AZ after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some support. 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 college has a good reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies 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 select will need to be within driving distance of their Surprise AZ residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to bear 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 might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort 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 schools you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacy tech school you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Surprise 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 procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Surprise

Enroll in the Right Surprise Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to launching your career in a gratifying occupation where assisting people with their health is your mission. Traditionally, many pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". These days, most employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacy technician programs include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to select a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the proper education and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Surprise Arizona.

 

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