Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Tempe Arizona

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Tempe AZ so you can receive the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Of course the first step is to find colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you are interested in. Many future students begin by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are significant factors when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers including reputation and accreditation should be evaluated also. And if you prefer attending classes at home in front of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy techs have various job responsibilities, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Tempe AZ pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities since 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 instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever give medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the typical daily duties a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

• Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription medications under pharmacist guidance
• Enter customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and manage inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work after hours is a very gratifying career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially two options to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational 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 overview to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an accepted Tempe AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually involves about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either 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 Available

Certification is not required in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy tech colleges choose to get certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Also, many Tempe AZ employers will only hire a technician 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 candidate be 18 years or older, 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 a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by each program, which can be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Classes

Prior to selecting a pharmacist technician online school, it's important to realize that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Tempe pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to obtain some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online in your Tempe AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, notably for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials may be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online training might be the right solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

After you have decided whether you would like to attain 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 target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist technician schools to choose from in the Tempe AZ area and throughout the Country, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Tempe home. 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 many other issues that you must consider so that you may adequately compare colleges. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? The majority of pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it might assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many Tempe AZ employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many pharmacies prefer that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacy tech college needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This condition can be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be met through an internship program. One of the best ways to get 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 fulfill the requirement. Ask if the schools have associations with Tempe AZ area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that first position in Tempe AZ upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a difficult task without some help. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they select will have to be within travelling distance of their Tempe AZ residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy technician school you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Tempe AZ area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative 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 might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Tempe

Enroll in the Right Tempe Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the best pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a gratifying profession where assisting people with their health is your objective. Traditionally, many pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech colleges include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to enroll in a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This holds true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the right selection. With the right education and commitment you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Tempe Arizona.

 

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