Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Pick the Best One Near Tempe Arizona

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Tempe AZ in order to receive the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. Usually the first step is to find colleges that offer the certificate or degree that you are interested in. Many prospective students start by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are critical factors when selecting a school, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. And if you are interested in studying at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifications and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have multiple job functions, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Tempe AZ pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever give medical advice relating to medications or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily services a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

• Greet and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Input customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and manage 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, 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 an extremely gratifying career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Certificates and Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially 2 options to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Tempe AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Options

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech programs choose to become certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Tempe AZ employers will only hire a tech that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide 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 one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every two years by each program, which may be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Programs

Before selecting a pharmacy technician online program, it's important to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is usually fulfilled in an area Tempe pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech in order to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken over the internet in your Tempe AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, notably for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online colleges are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials can be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online school you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online training might be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have decided whether you wish to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy technician programs to pick from in the Tempe AZ area and throughout the USA, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Tempe home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other variables that you need to consider so that you may effectively compare programs. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Many pharmacy tech colleges and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a complete quality education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you get a quality education, it can help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Tempe AZ pharmacies 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 all states, but numerous employers desire that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacist tech program should ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This qualification can be satisfied by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires one year of professional experience for certification, which can be satisfied with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with Tempe AZ area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in Tempe AZ after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some support. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts 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 commuting distance of their Tempe AZ home. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy technician program you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Tempe AZ area, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Tempe

Choose the Right Tempe Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the ideal pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to launching your career in a fulfilling profession where assisting customers with their wellness is your objective. In the past, many pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist tech colleges incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to choose a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the appropriate education and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Tempe Arizona.

 

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