Best Pharmacy Technician Schools Arizona
If you're interested in learning to work as a pharmacy technician and you live in or near Arizona, this article will help you locate pharmacy technicians schools near you.
We've put together a summary of the most popular programs along with salary, requirements and job outlook data.
Requirements to Be a Pharmacy Tech in Arizona
Pharmacy technicians in Arizona are regulated by the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy and national certification is optional. On-the-job training is required and has to be provided by the pharmacist-in-charge.
The first step toward employment as a pharmacy tech is obtaining a high school diploma or GED, as most training programs and positions require either.
Becoming a pharmacy technician is a great way to provide medical assistance in a profession with many job opportunities and flexible scheduling. There are several Arizona pharmacy technician schools that offer flexible programs to get students through school and on the job as efficiently as possible.
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Arizona
Cities in Arizona With the Highest Pharmacy Technician Pay
The salary for a pharmacy technician factors in experience, the city he/she is operating in, certification and education attainment. Here are four cities in Arizona state, all ranked according to the average salary offered per hour for a pharmacy technician.
Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff’s current population is around 73,319, and the average pay for an pharmacy tech is around $19.07 per hour.
Prescott, AZ
Prescott is home to more than 43,463 people currently. The average pay rate you can expect here is $18.03 per hour.
Yuma, AZ
Yuma is the fourteenth-largest city in southwest Arizona. The average pay rate here is 18.03$ per hour.
Tuscon, AZ
Tucson is the second largest city and houses more than 543,242 people. The average pay rate here is $17.77 per hour.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Arizona under Spotlight
Pima Medical Institute in East Valley, Arizona offers a very diverse program. Students take courses that cover many important and practical skills, such as mixing intravenous solutions, verifying the accuracy of prescriptions and preparing medications for patients. They also study important theory such as pharmacy law and ethics. The program can be completed in just ten months, so students can get a job and start earning money quickly.
Kaplan College in Phoenix offers an Associate degree in Medical Support and Technology with a focus on becoming a pharmacy technician. The program focuses on practical experience so that students know what to expect when they get into the workplace. The professors at Kaplan College are all professionals who have worked in the field and can bring their first hand experience into the classroom.
Many students choose Tucson College because the short programs are so convenient to complete. The classes are small, so students are able to get all of the help and attention that they require from their professors and form close relationships with their classmates. Students on the pharmacy technician diploma track get a great deal of hands on training, preparing them to get jobs immediately after they complete the program.
There are many Arizona pharmacy technician schools with excellent programs, and these are only a few of the choices. Many of the programs provide students with hands on experience, so they are fully prepared to get into the workplace after graduation. The programs do not take very long to complete, so students can start enjoying their new careers as soon as possible.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Arizona
While certification is optional in Arizona, the state board recognizes the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam. Once the exam is passed, technicians can carry the designation of certified pharmacy technicians (CPhT’s) after their names. Being certified can have its perks such as more responsibilities and thus higher earning potential.
As of 2021 there were 12,152 active PTCB CPhT’s in the state of Arizona.
Arizona Pharmacy Technician License Requirements
Registration is required and licensure to be obtained prior to taking up employment as a technician. The application form can be downloaded here and submitted to Arizona State Board of Pharmacy along with their non-refundable fee of $46.
How Much Does it Cost to Become a Pharmacy Technician?
The cost of pharmacy tech programs varies from institute to institute. Courses from an a pharmacy technician school can cost you around $500 to $16,000.
Tuition costs can be significantly reduced if you’re enrolled in a community college.