Comparing Pharmacy Technician Schools in Arizona
If you are looking for career training, there are several good pharmacy technician schools in Arizona. These schools offer pharmacy technician training programs that will teach you to work in a pharmacy assisting a licensed pharmacist.
Responsibilities include reviewing patients’ drug histories, filling prescriptions, and labeling bottles. There are often customer service aspects to the job as well, such as answering phones and using a cash register.
Because the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts faster than average growth in this field, becoming a pharmacy technician is an excellent career choice. Since there are several training schools to choose from, the following is a comparison of three popular schools in Arizona.
The Arizona College of Allied Health
The Arizona College of Allied Health is located in Glendale. It specializes in healthcare thereby allowing students the opportunity to work in labs with specialized equipment. Because programs begin every five weeks, you can get started as soon as you pass the entrance exam.
In order to accommodate more students, the college offers morning and evening classes. The college also offers career services and will help you search for jobs, write your resume, and prepare for interviews.
The pharmacy technician program takes three quarters, each of which lasts for ten weeks. After the on-campus portion, students spend four weeks doing an externship where they have the opportunity to practice their new skills in a real-world setting.
Before participating in the externship, students must acquire the Trainee License through the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy. After graduating, students may sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination in order to receive a full license and become a Certified Pharmacy Technician.
The PIMA Medical Institute
The PIMA Medical Institute is a training school with three locations: Mesa, East Valley, and Tucson. It also specializes in medical professions, but emphasizes a well-rounded education. Students must pass an entrance exam in order to be admitted. Schedules are flexible here as well since classes are offered at a variety of times throughout the day and evening.
The program requires that students complete about twenty courses, including several general education requirements. One of the classes is First Aid and CPR certification.
Students will also learn to prepare prescriptions and handle client insurance forms. These courses are followed by an externship, and the whole program takes approximately ten months to complete. Graduates of this program are also qualified to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination.
Carrington College
Carrington College also has several locations, including Tucson, Mesa, and Phoenix. It offers certification programs as well as associate and bachelor’s degrees; the Pharmacy Technician program awards a certificate. Testing and an interview are required for admission.
Students learn material in a mock pharmacy setting. In all pharmacy technician schools in Arizona, students learn to fill prescriptions. However, in this program students also learn the basics of ethics and law. The program can be completed in nine months and also includes an externship. Students will be prepared to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination. Related posts:
