Pharmacy Tech College
How to Choose the Best One Near Tucson Arizona

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Tucson AZ so you can receive the proper training to build a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. Of course the initial step is to find colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you would like to earn. Many future students begin 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 picking a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications including reputation and accreditation should be evaluated also. And if you are interested in attending classes in your home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be included in your vetting process. We will go over these qualifications and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy techs have numerous job duties, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Tucson AZ pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can assist customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever give medical advice regarding medications or anything else. Any such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Receive and help customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
• Add customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and control inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, particularly for newer techs with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes being required to work after hours is an extremely fulfilling career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Certificates

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally two options to becoming a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an approved Tucson AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually requires about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program should furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech schools opt to get certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Tucson AZ employers will only employ a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the candidate be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every two years by both programs, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Programs

Prior to selecting a pharmacist technician online training program, it's important to realize that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in a local Tucson pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to acquire some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be taken online in your Tucson AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, especially for those who keep working while attaining their certificate or degree. And online programs are frequently 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 provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that any online school you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online training might be the right solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have determined whether you wish 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 start to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacist tech colleges to select from in the Tucson AZ area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Tucson residence. 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 must take into consideration in order to properly compare colleges. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to furnish a complete quality education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Don't forget to verify that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you obtain a superior education, it might assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Tucson AZ employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many employers prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist tech school needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This qualification can be satisfied by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Tucson AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that initial position in Tucson AZ upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a challenging endeavor without some support. Ask if the schools you are researching have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Tucson AZ home. Those who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry 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 choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy tech college you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Tucson AZ area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Tucson

Choose the Best Tucson Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the best pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a rewarding occupation where helping people with their health is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacists 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. The majority of pharmacist technician colleges include both classroom and laboratory training. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to select a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for online classes as well as 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 right choice. With the proper education and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Tucson Arizona.

 

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