Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Pick the Best One Near Yuma Arizona
It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Yuma AZ so you can get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. Of course the first step is to find colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you are interested in. A number of future students start by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are critical concerns when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers including reputation and accreditation must be taken into account also. And if you are interested in studying in your home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be included in your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will want 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 courses.
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Pharmacy Technician Job Description
Pharmacy techs have numerous job functions, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Yuma AZ pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they may help customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever give medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. All such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the common daily tasks a pharmacy tech may perform are:
- Welcome and assist customers with medications and other questions
- Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
- Enter customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
- Call customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
- Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
- Stock shelves and audit and manage inventory
Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes being required to work after hours is an extremely fulfilling career helping people with their health and wellness.
Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees
Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially two options to becoming a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Yuma AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about 2 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. Each program should provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.
Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices
It is not required to earn certification in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech colleges choose to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, a number of Yuma AZ pharmacies 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 applicant be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by each program, which may be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Technician Programs Online
Prior to choosing a pharmacist technician online training program, it's necessary to understand that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in an area Yuma pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to acquire some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed online in your Yuma AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, especially for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online programs are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs for commuting and course materials may be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that any online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online training may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
Once you have determined whether you want to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacist technician colleges to select from in the Yuma AZ area and throughout the USA, so you must 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 colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Yuma residence. If you are able to relocate 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 adequately compare programs. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs and trade schools have obtained 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 evaluated and verified to offer a complete superior education. Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Don't forget to check that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it may help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Yuma AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of employers desire that the techs 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 also need one year of job experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of professional experience for certification, which may 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 clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the schools have associations with Yuma AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Finding that initial position in Yuma AZ after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a daunting task without any support. Ask 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 field creating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduating students.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they select will have to be within driving distance of their Yuma AZ residence. Students who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average teacher to student 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 speak with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy technician program you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Yuma AZ area, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Yuma
Enroll in the Right Yuma Pharmacy Tech School
Receiving the best pharmacy tech training is an important first step to launching your career in a gratifying profession where assisting people with their health is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacy 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 provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy tech colleges include both classroom and laboratory work. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to select a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for classes online 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 appropriate training and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Yuma Arizona.
Yuma Pharmacy Technician Schools | Yuma Pharmacy Technician Training