Pharmacy Tech College
How to Pick the Right One Near Tucson Arizona

Having made the decision to attain your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Tucson AZ, you might be pondering how to pick the best school to receive your education and training. Naturally the first step is to locate schools that offer the certificate or degree that you would like to earn. Many prospective students begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are important concerns when deciding on a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers including accreditation and reputation should be taken into account also. And if you are interested in studying in your home by means of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers and others that you will need 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 programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have various job duties, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Tucson 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 filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the common daily services a pharmacy technician might perform are:

• Receive and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
• Add customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions 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 techs will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings 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 rewarding career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Degree Programs

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially two alternatives to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved Tucson AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech programs choose to get certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Tucson AZ employers will only hire a tech that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires 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 graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which may be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Programs Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacy tech online training program, it's necessary to understand that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in a local Tucson pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy technician so as to acquire some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online in your Tucson AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, notably for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online schools are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and study materials can be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online program you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online instruction may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

Once you have determined whether you would like to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacist technician programs to select from in the Tucson AZ area and throughout the United States, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Tucson home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are several other factors that you should consider so that you may properly compare programs. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacy tech programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a complete quality education. Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program together with the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it might help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Tucson AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacy technician college needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This qualification can be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which may be fulfilled through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the colleges have a working relationship with Tucson AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that initial position in Tucson AZ upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging task without any help. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they select will need to be within driving distance of their Tucson AZ residence. Those who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local 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 perhaps 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 frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist tech program you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Tucson AZ area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Tucson

Choose the Right Tucson Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the best pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to starting your career in a fulfilling profession where helping customers with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist technician colleges incorporate both laboratory and classroom work. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a college 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 make use of our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the right training and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Tucson Arizona.

 

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