Pharmacy Tech College
How to Choose the Right One Near Surprise Arizona

Having made the decision to earn your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Surprise AZ, you might be pondering how to select the best program to receive your education and training. Of course the initial step is to locate schools that offer the degree or diploma that you would like to earn. A number of prospective students begin by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are critical factors when choosing a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. And if you prefer studying at home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be included in your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and some others that you will want 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 advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have various job responsibilities, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Surprise AZ pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the common daily duties a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription medications under pharmacist direction
• Input prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and manage inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work after hours is an extremely fulfilling career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Certificates

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 alternatives to becoming a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an accepted Surprise AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally involves about 2 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. Each program should provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician colleges elect to become certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Surprise AZ pharmacies will only employ 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 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 examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which may be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges

Prior to selecting a pharmacy technician online training program, it's necessary to understand that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Surprise pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to get some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed over the internet in your Surprise AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for most students, notably for those who keep working while attaining their certificate or degree. And online schools are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials may be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online school you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online classes might be the ideal solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

Once you have decided whether you wish to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy tech colleges to select from in the Surprise AZ area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Surprise home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are many other issues that you need to consider so that you may properly compare programs. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and trade schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a complete superior education. Online programs may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Don't forget to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping guarantee that you obtain a superior education, it might help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And many Surprise AZ employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many employers prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician school should ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the schools have associations with Surprise AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Finding that first position in Surprise AZ after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a difficult undertaking without any support. Ask if the schools you are considering have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Surprise AZ home. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something 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 generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician program you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Surprise AZ area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol 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 Surprise

Enroll in the Right Surprise Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to starting your career in a gratifying occupation where assisting people with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, many pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist technician schools incorporate both classroom and clinical work. As we have covered in this article, it's important to enroll in a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the best choice. With the proper education and commitment you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Surprise Arizona.

 

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