Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Select the Right One Near Tucson Arizona

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Tucson AZ in order to receive the right training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Usually the first step is to locate schools that offer the degree or certificate that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are significant concerns when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into account also. And if you prefer studying in your home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be included in your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications 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 degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have various job responsibilities, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Tucson AZ pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the common daily functions a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Greet and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Add customer and prescription information 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

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work after hours is a very gratifying career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Certificates

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 options to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an approved Tucson AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Choices

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician colleges choose to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, many Tucson AZ pharmacies will only employ 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 candidate be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Classes Online

Prior to deciding on a pharmacist tech online training program, it's necessary to realize that most schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in a local Tucson pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed over the internet in your Tucson AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, notably for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online programs are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials can be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online college you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online classes may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician 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 attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy tech programs to select from in the Tucson AZ area and throughout the United States, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Tucson home. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other variables that you should consider so that you may adequately compare schools. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Most pharmacy technician programs and trade schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a complete superior education. Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. In addition to helping make sure that you get a superior education, it may help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Tucson AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech college needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of work experience. This requirement may be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with Tucson AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial position in Tucson AZ upon graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some help. Find out if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they select will need to be within travelling 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. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program 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 frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist technician school you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Tucson AZ area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Tucson

Enroll in the Right Tucson Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to starting your career in a rewarding occupation where assisting people with their wellness is your objective. In the past, many pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy tech schools incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a program that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the right education and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Tucson Arizona.

 

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