What is a Lactation Consultant

A lactation consultant is a healthcare provider who assists women with breastfeeding. For years and years grandmothers have been helping their daughters and granddaughters learn the art of breastfeeding. However, a healthcare provider stepping in where a female relative normally assisted the young mother is a relatively novel approach to teaching how to breastfeed and/or manage issues with new mothers. Learning to breastfeed today can also involve an entire support group.

Lactation Consultant Training

Learning how to become a lactation consultant calls for knowing the necessary training and degree requirements. For instance, the core lactation consultant training program of 45 hours is for those persons who want a credential as a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist while they are earning clinical practicum hours; the latter will qualify them to take the IBLCE certification examination.

Meanwhile, the 90-hour enriched Lactation Consultant Training course incorporates case studies, skills labs, and interviews with practicing consultants. Completion of this training gives a credential as a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist and makes individuals eligible for the exam for IBLCE certification

It is best to enroll in a certified lactation specialist course that meets the approval of the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC). To begin, interested individuals should enroll in a 45-hour class that provides the basics of becoming a lactation consultant; this course can be taken onsite or online.

The next step to become a specialist that is board certified is to complete an additional 45-hour course designed to prepare individuals to take the IBLCE assessment. The completion of 90 hours total of lactation consultant education qualifies interested persons for the IBLCE examination. Again, courses can be found onsite or online with some educational providers offering a selection of courses to fulfill this stipulation. It is advisable to have a mentor as a guide through the process.

Healthcare providers who inquire about how to become a lactation consultant may already be nurses, physicians, midwives, social workers or other specialists. They qualify to participate in a 5-day course that provides the first 45 hours of training. The other 45 hours may be gained through online, distance education, conferences or independent study units. Course selections that provide standardized lactation education are approved by the Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (AARC); candidates working toward this goal should be sure their courses are AARC-approved.

Clinical experiences can be completed for those already working in the medical field. They can spend practicum time with new moms and their infants. You will need to document your time. Activities could include instructing and counseling individual mothers, teaching a breastfeeding class, assisting mothers with a breast pump and so on.

Hours must be for providing direct care to breastfeeding families and cannot include observing or shadowing another provider. A variety of settings with newborns from infancy to children who are weaning is encouraged.

Non-medical individuals need to be more creative and persistent in obtaining practicum sites and experiences. After completing the academic training, individuals could seek the following experiences under supervision:

• Documentation of 500 hours of practice for each year as La Leche League leader
• Counselor in Women, Infants and Children (WIC) agencies
• Volunteer to provide breastfeeding benefits to women in physicians’ offices, specifically family practice, obstetricians or pediatricians
• Volunteer as patient educator in hospitals for individualized instruction or support groups
• Home visitor for home health agencies to make home visitations with nurses to assist mothers with lactation issues

Besides the 90 hours of initial training in human lactation and breastfeeding and 1,000 hours of clinical experience, an individual interested in how to become a lactation consultant must have taken the following academic classes: Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Infant & Child Development, Nutrition, Research, Psychology and Sociology.

Additionally, candidates for the IBLCE examination must prove completion of the following six general education areas:

• CPR – basic life support such as cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and neonatal pulmonary resuscitation (NPR)
• Medical Documentation – creating and maintaining complete and accurate records on care to patients/clients
• Medical Terminology – basic understanding of terminology used by members of healthcare team
• Occupational Safety and Security – avoidance of allergies and injuries and handling stress and violence for healthcare workers
• Professional Ethics – Ethical and professional behavior and practice of principles such as confidentiality, conflict of interest and informed consent
• Universal Safety Precautions and Infection Control – Knowledge and practice of protecting clients/patients and themselves against disease exposure or spread with appropriate sanitation practices

If healthcare workers have taken any of these courses during their previous academic studies, then a transcript can be submitted to verify courses completed. If these courses are missing from an individual’s educational background, then she will need to fulfill this requirement.

Lactation Consultant Certification

To attain certification as a lactation consultant you must complete and pass the entire course and the final exam. Success in this position rests on knowledge and skills, plus practicum experience to help mothers with breastfeeding. To achieve this, both academic and clinical education are necessary.

Certification is a milestone along the way to the IBCLC qualification. IBCLC offers the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) certification. While it is not a requirement to become board certified, it is certainly a desirable credential and advantageous when applying for employment.

Specialized Examinations

The IBCLC examination is an annual exam that is comprised of multiple choice questions. The subjects tested are delineated on the IBCLC Exam Blueprint. Application deadlines are February 28 and April 30. Costs are determined by each individual’s country of residence; scholarships are available.

The lactation education and the 1,000 hours of clinical practicum must be finished within five years of taking the board examination.

The exam is offered in each state in the United States and several other countries on the last Monday in July each year. For more information, check the IBCLC website or the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) website.

Lactation Consultant Responsibilities

Lactation consultants provide overall lactation management services to expectant and new parents. Some of her many responsibilities are as follows:

• Plans and teaches classes for expectant and breastfeeding mothers
• Leads bedside lactation rounds each day
• Counsels mothers on breastfeeding problems
• Selects quality breastfeeding-related supplies for rental and retail sale
• Oversees the inventory and financial aspects of the department
• Plans and teaches professional development for maternity nursing staff
• Communicates with team members on maternity or practice staff
• Organizes and delivers lactation care services to in- and out-patient mothers
• Conducts evaluation of classes, activities and lactation department
• Supports and coordinates with other referral programs
• Organizes posters and educational materials to promote breastfeeding
• Maintains data on services and reports to quarterly to supervisor
• Adjusts schedule to meet needs of family members
• Serves as consultant and resource for facility and community
• Provides support to post-partum patients in need of assistance
• Participated in health-related activities in community

Lactation Consultant Jobs

Consultants work in a variety of locations. While hospitals and neonatal intensive care units are the most common sites, private and pediatric practices and outreach centers such as Women, Infants and Children (WIC) agencies also utilize lactation consultants.

Many individuals choose this career after becoming a Registered Nurse. They may want a job change or realize the need for intimate care of mothers and infants. They may also want to reach out to help new moms have this experience.

Whatever the reason, lactation consultants continue to be in high demand for a number of reasons. First, many mothers long to bond with their newborns through breastfeeding. Second, mother’s milk is more nutritious than formula milk. Third, it is less expensive to breastfeed than to buy expensive formulas. Fourth, there may be a tradition in the mother’s family where the women all breastfed and the new mom therefore also wants to breastfeed, too. Fifth, it’s natural. Nature made women’s breasts to nurture their young.

For these and perhaps other reasons, lactation consultants will continue to be needed to assist mothers in feeding their babies. They will also educate expectant parents, facilitate support groups and help those moms and infants who struggle with feeding issues.

As with most healthcare positions, the salary for a lactation consultant depends on the geographic area in which you work. Hospital settings pay about the same or slightly higher than a staff nurse; physicians’ offices and clinics pay less. The salary range is from $56,871 to $86,362 with the median pay for an IBCLC employed full-time in a hospital setting set at $70,461.

How to Become A Lactation Consultant is a post from: Find Healthcare Training

What is a Neonatologist

In order to accomplish becoming a neonatologist, it is important to understand exactly what a neonatologist is. A neonatologist is a medical specialist whose focus is on babies — the newborn, ill, and premature. Some people like to think of a neonatologist as a baby doctor.

A neonatologist is in fact a medical doctor who cares for babies; however, he is not a pediatrician, who is commonly referred to as a baby doctor. While a pediatrician is trained to solve most health problems associated with newborns, a neonatologist trains specifically to handle the most complex and high-risk newborn situations.

For this reason, if a newborn has a serious illness, injury, or a birth defect, or is premature, a neonatologist often assists at the time of delivery. If one of these problems is detected previous to the baby being born, a neonatologist may consult with the obstetrician about the care of the baby during the mother’s pregnancy. If a baby’s condition should call for surgery while the baby is growing inside the womb, a neonatologist is normally part of the surgical consulting team.

Neonatologist Education

The education required for becoming a neonatologist is generally as follows:

• Four years of high school
• Four years of college
• Four years of medical school to earn an M.D. or four years of osteopathic medical school to earn a D.O degree
• Three years to complete a pediatric internship and residency
• Three years to complete a neonatology fellowship

As a medical school graduate, you will receive your M.D. degree, but won’t be able to practice medicine on your own yet. What you need to do next is to become a general pediatrician. This is accomplished by attending a pediatric training program also known as a residency.

This is a three-year program that consists of clinical, hospital, and emergency room experience under the tutelage of the pediatric staff. The pediatric resident treats patients under close supervision, attends lectures and educational conferences, and is exposed to pediatric emergencies on the hospital night shift. The pediatric resident also experiences multiple pediatric sub specialties such as neonatal intensive care or pediatric intensive care.

Following the pediatric residency is an additional three years of training known as a neonatology fellowship, which is the final portion of becoming a neonatologist. The time is spent between treating baby ailments in a neonatal intensive care unit under the watch of veteran neonatologists and performing related clinical research.

Not only will you learn how to treat a wide range of neonatal conditions and diseases, you will also write an article concerning a research project relating to newborns. For instance, a research project might include the brain development of a newborn or infectious diseases that affect a newborn.

In the first year of the fellowship, the primary goal is clinical skill development and identification of research interests. This includes:

• Familiarization of clinical administration for the various chronic and acute neonatal ailments
• Familiarization of advance technical skills needed for neonatal treatments
• Developing leadership skills and learning teaching and supervision techniques
• Developing enhanced skills needed for managing Neonatal ICUs
• Becoming certified as a Neonatal Resuscitation Program instructor and provider
• Investigating research opportunities and choice of research project

In the second year of the fellowship, teaching and clinical skills are expanded, with an extra focus laid on research. This includes:

• Increased skills in neonatal cardiac care
• Management of transport for critically ill babies
• Continued work on neonatal research project

In the third and final year of the fellowship, the focus is primarily on completing the neonatal research project in preparation for peer presentation. There is a further refining of clinical skills and the fellows become more active in education and leadership with respect to their patients.

The American Board of Pediatrics conducts several important examinations that must be passed before you can become a licensed neonatologist:

• First, there is a series of national medical examinations taken in medical school and the first year as a Pediatric resident. The successful completion of these will license you for practicing medicine in your state
• Second, there is a pediatric set of board examinations that are taken the year following your pediatric residency. These certify you as a pediatric specialist
• Finally, there are the exams that are taken upon completion of your neonatology fellowship which certify you as a sub specialist in neonatal-perinatal medicine

Neonatologists must deal with all manners of infant problems. In the majority of neonatal ICUs, approximately half of the babies treated are full-term, being born after their thirty-seventh week of gestation. The other half are premature, born before their thirty-seventh week of gestation.

Premature babies aren’t sick in the traditional sense; it’s that their bodies aren’t fully developed. Premature babies can therefore experience a wide range of issues that can require advanced care and around the clock monitoring of vital signs. For example:

• Their lungs may not be fully developed which may require additional oxygen or the assistance of a breathing ventilator
• The ratio of an infant’s surface area compared to the infant’s bodily volume is large and has little bodily fat, so premature babies must be kept warm by means of an external heat source such as an incubator
• Their liver may not be fully developed, so there is a tendency to become excessively jaundiced, which can lead to brain impairment
• Their immune system may not be fully developed, so infections are a particular problem
• Their stomach and intestines may not be fully developed and unable to handle breast milk or baby formula, requiring intravenous feeding
• Their brain may not be fully developed, leading to breathing difficulties and choking

Full-term infants have their own sets of problems that require admittance to a neonatal ICU and can be just as problematic and random. For example:

• Perinatal asphyxia, which is oxygen deficiency during birth, can lead to problems including heart or kidney failure, as well as seizures
• Congenital birth defects may have occurred which can include heart, brain, or gastrointestinal abnormalities
• Pneumonia, meningitis, or blood infections which can be acquired before or shortly after birth
• Injuries acquired during or after the birth of the baby

Neonatologist Job Opportunities

A majority of neonatologists are employed in large hospitals or medical centers. They immediately take over the care of a baby as determined by low birth weight, life threatening condition, or hospital policy. They may also take charge of a baby when referred by the baby’s pediatrician.

Some private practice neonatologists may work in multiple hospitals. Normally, neonatologists do not treat babies in a private office external to a hospital or medical center. Typically in the setting of larger hospitals, a neonatologist spends his time in a neonatal ICU, a well baby nursery, the delivery room, a follow up clinic for high risk infants, educational conferences and administrative meetings, and performing the role of teacher for medical students, interns, and residents.

Neonatologist Salary

The question of the salary for a neonatologist is not a simple one. The range of salary depends on these factors:

• Region of the United States
• Number of years of experience
• Practicing in rural or urban settings
• Number of patients seen
• Practicing in a private hospital or an academic center
• Amount of time spent on call
• Performing direct patient care or practicing a supervisory role
• Any profit-sharing or other reward programs

Generally, the starting salary for a new neonatologist is around $75,000. However, a veteran neonatologist can receive upwards to $250,000.

There have been tremendous technical improvements in neonatology, including ventilators to improve lung functions and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation. Other astounding advances include infant cardiac surgery and heart transplants, making it possible to save critically ill infants that would not have survived twenty years ago.

However, it is surprising that neonatal ICUs generally do not use computers effectively. Neonatal ICUs also share little information with each other and there is no uniform standard of care. But the area that needs the most improvement is prenatal care. Premature birth prevention leads to more healthy babies than trying exotic technologies to save a baby after birth.

Medical advances have dramatically improved the rate of survival of a premature baby, but the percentages of births resulting in a premature baby have remained about the same. The increased use of fertility drugs and cocaine abuses cause an increase in premature babies; it is an issue that needs resolving.

It takes fourteen years after graduation from high school to become a licensed neonatologist. After the second year of med school, a majority of your time is spent in direct patient care, albeit under careful supervision.

The path leading to becoming a neonatologist is a long and arduous one, but it has its moments of sheer joy. Although the path is a long one, the profession is a rewarding and interesting one, as there will always be new things to learn and practice as the medical field advances.

Journey to Becoming A Neonatologist is a post from: Find Healthcare Training

A phlebotomist sounds like an advanced position in the health care industry that might require extensive training; however, phlebotomist training is often acquired on the job. While a phlebotomist is only an entry-level position, phlebotomists are an essential part of any medical team and do perform an important function.

If you are looking for an entry-level medical profession in order to pursue a career in the health care industry, becoming a phlebotomist may be an excellent option. Simply stated, a phlebotomist is the medical professional responsible for drawing blood from patients for various lab tests and procedures.

Nurses are the personnel who normally perform a phlebotomy, which is the medical term for the puncturing of a vein in order to withdraw blood or to introduce a fluid. Phlebotomists often work in either a hospital or medical office setting where they have been hired on as additional staff precisely because they are trained in phlebotomy.

Training to Be a Phlebotomist

Although nurses generally undertake phlebotomy duties, a college student, or even a high school graduate, could take a course at a local vocational or technical school and learn phlebotomy. The downside is that if you are untrained in any other nursing skills, compensation may be limited (approximately $7.00 to $9.00 per hour in most locations throughout the United States).

The upside is that a phlebotomist position is a branch of health care and therefore also enjoys the prospects and benefits of the industry. For instance, employers usually offer paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation. Most also offer premium health insurance and a retirement plan.

However, if you enroll in a certified phlebotomist training program, you may become one of the highly skilled applicants that employers seek to attract by providing certified phlebotomists a plan to reimburse the cost of continuing education and re certification.

On the other hand, if your goal is to become a nurse or a doctor, it is not uncommon to start out by working in a hospital or medical office as a phlebotomist. Working as a phlebotomist is actually a great way to obtain hands-on experience in the medical field before making a serious commitment to pursuing a career in the health care industry.

The reason a phlebotomist is the ideal entry-level position is because phlebotomy duties require a relatively short training period. What’s more, phlebotomist jobs are not only easy to find but easy to secure.

Just because a phlebotomist is an entry-level position in the health care industry, you should not consider that it has little significance. Blood samples are vital, as they are used to diagnose certain types of illnesses and diseases, such as cancer and various blood diseases like sickle cell anemia.

As a matter of fact, a patient cannot receive any type of medical procedure or diagnosis without first undergoing a blood test. Trained phlebotomists are actually skilled technicians – whether taught on the job or in a school. They are meticulously taught to safely draw blood for testing in the lab. A phlebotomist therefore plays a significant role in medical teams in clinics, private practices, and hospitals.

As previously noted, a phlebotomist is responsible for drawing blood from patients, which is usually performed in a clinical environment under the supervision of a medical laboratory scientist. The phlebotomist learns to use sophisticated laboratory equipment to process and analyze the blood specimen. Because phlebotomists handle blood samples, they are at risk of being exposed to various diseases. Hence, they are trained in laboratory safety and strict policies and procedures.

Hands-on phlebotomy training, of course, includes learning how to draw and test blood, but other highly desirable skills valued throughout the health care industry are also learned. These skills include administrative duties such as billing and insurance coding and appointment making. Students also learn patient preparation and how to take vital signs, along with lifesaving procedures like CPR and first aid.

You can become a phlebotomist within four to six months, more or less depending on the level of certification, by enrolling in phlebotomy certification classes at an accredited phlebotomist training center. You can find an accredited center in your area by going to this website and entering your zip code: http://findphlebotomytraining.com/.

If you are not interested in certification, for $700 you can learn to draw blood online in three days. The only requirement is that you have either a high school diploma or GED. According to the website, they will teach you all you need to know in just three days. Amazing! For references they list twenty-plus clients in several states who use their phlebotomists. Needless to say, you would want to contact some of these references before forking over $700.

They are clear that they do not provide certification but only a certificate of completion and state that you can apply for certification with the proper agencies after you gain some experience in phlebotomist.

Regardless of how you become a phlebotomist, you must enjoy working with people. You must also work well under pressure, because locating veins that cannot be seen but must be found by touch while wearing gloves can be stressful. Therefore, being attentive to detail and having excellent manual dexterity are absolute necessities.

During your training to become a phlebotomist you will learn how to extract blood from a patient’s arm, which is normal. Occasionally, if medical conditions dictate otherwise, you may need to draw blood from an area of the patient’s body that is not the arm. Thus, while training to become a phlebotomist, you will also learn alternative methods of drawing blood.

A major consideration for deciding whether to become a phlebotomist is how uneasy or comfortable you are around needles and blood. A phlebotomist, of course, is often called on to calm patients, which requires that you be an effective communicator and a good listener, plus at ease yourself. If you are unable to remain calm while drawing blood, becoming a phlebotomist may not be the career for you.

In addition to becoming skilled at various medical procedures associated with phlebotomy, recent technological advances require a phlebotomist to use a computer in addition to other high-tech devices. For this reason, computer experience is highly beneficial in acquiring a phlebotomist job. This is the reason medical assistants and certified nurses assistants are often chosen to receive on-the-job training to become a phlebotomist.

While the job duties of a phlebotomist may sound very straight forward, there are actually many intricacies involved. Indeed, a phlebotomist will need to be able to accurately assess veins of the body for ease of blood withdrawal, and then choose a properly sized needle for the task, along with other appropriate tools and equipment.  Occasionally, it can be very difficult to nearly impossible to complete this task: veins can be difficult to spot due to their small size, damage, or skin color.

What many people don’t think about is the infinite variety of patients that phlebotomists come into contact with, and the simple fact that many of them will be under varying amounts of stress, or even altered states of consciousness. A phlebotomist must have the skills necessary to successfully deal with patient apprehension while simultaneously accurately and safely completing the task at hand.

This type of medical professional must pay close attention to detail in order to avoid contaminating blood samples, themselves, or other patients due to the repeated exposure to bodily fluids and tainted needles. Once blood has been drawn, procedures for storage and transport will need to be followed in order to maintain specimen integrity. In a laboratory setting, a phlebotomist may also be responsible for blood testing and other related job tasks.

The training and educational requirements for a career in phlebotomy are relatively accessible, making it an attractive professional opportunity. In the U.S., a high school diploma or GED are prerequisite in order to pursue specialized phlebotomist training. Programs abound at community colleges, vocational schools, online and traditional universities, hospitals and medical labs.

Depending on the program and class meeting frequency, training can last for as little as two weeks and up to four months. Training will focus on venepuncture, which is the most common procedure used in extracting blood from veins. Students can expect classes to cover anatomy and patient interactions, standard procedures and precautions, and applicable legalities in addition to aseptic and collection methods.

Once formal training in phlebotomy has been completed, candidates will be required to pass an exam in order to attain certification. Agencies that grant phlebotomy certification by exam include: ASCP-BOC (American Society for Clinical Pathology’s Board of Certification), AMT (American Medical Technologists), ACA (American Credentialing Agency), NCCT (National Center for Competency Testing), and NHA (National Healthcareer Association). Credentialing may also be obtained by AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) and CMA (Certified Medical Assistants).

In general, you will be given three chances to successfully pass the exam. After three failures, it may be necessary to repeat the training course. For example, in the state of California, all candidates must complete a training program approved by the state, and pass an examination issued by one of the approved agencies mentioned previously. In addition, the state will license all phlebotomists after training and exam completion before they can legally begin their practice.

In some localities, certain agencies may certify a phlebotomist without a formal examination. This is common when a person can show a year or more of phlebotomy experience. Others may allow employers to give an examination. Candidates should note that employers may appraise the varying avenues of certification differently. Therefore, research is crucial in order to ensure the type and place of employment that is desired.

Phlebotomy Careers

As the health care industry continues to grow and increase in complexity, so do careers in phlebotomy. Diagnostic testing is on the rise, which means more opportunities for those who have successfully completed phlebotomist training. However, it is important to consider that as technological capability increases, this could mean a decrease in the need for those with specialized skills in the long term.

For this reason, it is wise to think about pursuing supplementary areas of training and education within the medical field. Those seeking employment within the next ten years can take confidence in their decision, as the number of phlebotomy employment opportunities is expected to continually outpace the number of individuals who are certified.

Employment opportunities are available in private practices, medical laboratories, hospitals, and with government agencies. Depending on the institution, phlebotomists may choose to work forty hours per week (full-time) or twenty to thirty hours per week (part-time). The number and types of patients seen in one day will also vary by employer.

Phlebotomist Salary

As with most professions, phlebotomists can expect to be paid according to their education and experience. A newly certified phlebotomist with no professional experience can expect a starting wage of $9.80 to $12.80 per hour. This wage will increase in accordance with professional experience. Those with five years of experience can expect wages of $11.50 to $14.80 per hour, and those with ten or more years of experience will likely earn around $16.00 per hour.

Salaries will also range with geographic location and institution of employment. Currently, Boston phlebotomists are reporting the highest earning levels, followed closely by Chicago and Phoenix, respectively. State or government agency employees are also among the highest earners, while private practice employees may see lower wages comparatively.

In addition to compensation, phlebotomists typically have access to premium grade health insurance policies as medical professionals. In addition to paid vacation and sick time, they may also receive retirement plans, paid re certification and other training opportunities as part of an attractive benefits package. The opportunity for growth within the field is high, further adding to the benefits.

When considering a medical field career choice, phlebotomist training is cited as an excellent opportunity in terms of accessibility and employment opportunity. Training and certification programs are in great supply and can be completed in a relatively short amount of time. There is no question that these professionals will be in healthy demand as the aging sector of the population continues to increase over the next ten years.

Phlebotomist Training: A Look at the Training Requirements is a post from: Find Healthcare Training

Have you heard about the certified nurse midwife training that makes registered nurses qualified for this highly specialized role? As a growing specialty of nursing, this practitioner training is for those whose interest lies in caring for the overall health and welfare of women.

Imagine the rewards of sharing women’s preparation for birth, participating in the birthing process, and following the mothers and their children throughout their lives. As believers in assisting women through the pregnancy and delivery processes, certified nurse midwives work under the supervision of a physician to perform numerous medical procedures and interventions.

The practice of midwifery dates back to the Greeks and Romans and even the times of the Bible. Meaning with woman from Old English, midwife was the one who delivered women’s babies in homes in the very early years. During those times formal education and training were non-existent; therefore, the early midwives learned from their mothers or others by being apprentices.

For a number of years, a clash existed between midwives and doctors. Over time, the profession became regulated; in 1925 the standard used in England and Scotland for nurse-midwives came to the United States. Thus, midwife training began.

How to Become a Midwife

You may have heard that there are different kinds of midwives, and this is true. However, in the United States, a certified nurse midwife is most common, which requires certain training and degree requirements to become one. The three main categories of midwives are certified nurse midwife (CNM), licensed or certified midwife and lay or empirical midwife, which are considered direct-entry midwives.

A CNM must be a registered nurse before entering midwifery training while a licensed or certified midwife receives her training through a combination of apprenticeship, self-study, formal schooling, and correspondence courses.

A lay or empirical midwife acquires her training through a variety of ways. These type midwives may be part of a religious group or a specific community. In certain locales they are prohibited by law from charging for their services.

Although a licensed or certified midwife (direct-entry midwife) may enter directly into the midwife education programs without a prior professional credential, the majority of nurse midwives practicing in the United States are certified nurse midwives (CNMs). Conversely, the majority of direct-entry midwives practice in western European countries and Canada.

As indicated, in the United States, individuals who wish to pursue certified nurse midwife training first become registered nurses. They must also have earned a baccalaureate degree and have a master’s or advanced degree before entering midwifery training. Nursing education programs can be found in all fifty states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

However, nurse midwife programs exist in only twenty-six states plus the District of Columbia, as listed below:

• California, Colorado, Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois, Indiana
• Kansas, Kentucky
• Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota
• New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina
• Ohio, Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee, Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin

After completing the training program, individuals must become certified by passing state and national examinations and become licensed in their state.  The American Midwifery Certification Board is the organization that administers certification for nurse midwives.

After you pass the certification exam, you will then be expected to present documents certifying that you graduated from an accredited nurse-midwifery training program. The Midwifery Education & Accreditation Council (MEAC) is the accrediting organization sought by legitimate nursing education programs.

After meeting the various criteria, you will be designated as a certified nurse midwife. Continuing education to maintain your certification is required, as certification is only good for eight years.

The curriculum for the two-year certified nurse midwife training program consists of core courses, specialty courses, and electives. A 52-credit sample of classes follows:

Core Courses

• Theoretical Basis of Advanced Nursing Practice
• Strategy for Nursing and Health Care
• Utilization of Nursing Research in Advanced Practice
• Data Management and Analysis for Advanced Nursing Practice
• Scholarly Project in Nursing

Specialty Courses

• Advanced Health Assessment
• Health Promotion and Risk Reduction Across the Lifespan
• Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
• Antepartum Care of Normal Women
• Advanced Primary Care Nursing-Health Problems and Well Women
• Intrapartum, Postpartum and Newborn Care
• Nurse Midwifery Integration-The Childbearing Cycle
• Professional Issues in Nurse Midwifery
• High Risk Perinatal Nursing

Electives

• Pharmacotherapeutics
• Other Electives

The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) certifies that midwives are qualified to practice and are therefore certified professionals in this specialty. The basis of credentialing is as follows:

• Completion of midwifery education program accredited by a school that is approved by the United States Department of Education;
• Evidence of proficiency in midwifery competencies including academic and clinical practice
• Passage of national certification midwifery examination
• Officially approved to practice midwifery in state or states

Midwife education programs in this country are endorsed by the United States Department of Education and the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). The credential you receive is the “Certified Nurse Midwife”, or CNM.

Upon completion of the training to become a certified nurse midwife, you must pass the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB), which is a written examination. It is also a four-hour computer-based exam that asks one hundred and seventy-five multiple choice questions. The test is administered for a fee of $500. There are one hundred and twenty testing centers throughout the United States with at least one testing site located in each state.

Nurse Midwife Jobs

The employment outlook for midwife careers is exceptional; it is anticipated that it will continue to grow since high quality health care for women, especially prenatal care, is a main concern in the field of obstetrics. Additionally, nursing educators will be essential to teach incoming certified nurse midwives, and administrators will be needed to provide leadership and management of programs, faculty and students.

Since well-educated and experienced registered nurses have knowledge and skills that they bring to the midwifery profession, they are able to execute many of the tasks and procedures that physicians perform. Care for pregnant women and their newborn babies in the form of education, support and direct patient services will remain essential.

Additionally, midwives who retire or leave the profession will require others to take their positions.

Data from the United States Department of Labor indicates that the nursing profession is the largest sector of health care occupations in the nation and is also the sector experiencing the greatest shortage in this country; this scarcity impacts specialties such as nurse midwives, which shortage the DOL predicts will expand between twenty-one percent and thirty-five percent within ten years.

Nurse midwives care for women and focus their practice on pregnancy, childbirth, care of the newborn, postpartum, family planning and other like needs. They address each woman’s specific needs during prenatal appointments and follow her during pregnancy, labor and delivery of her baby.

Certified nurse midwives are qualified to intercede with medical procedures or drugs if necessary. They have been trained to utilize labor-inducing drugs, pain medications, epidurals and electronic fetal monitoring as well as other techniques.

A sample job description would include the following responsibilities:

• Counseling and educating on birth control methods
• Prescribing medications
• Administering breast exams and pap smears
• Offering family support
• Helping pregnant women through prenatal, pregnancy and delivery
• Providing postpartum care for mothers and babies
• Educating about personal care and reproductive topics
• Monitoring the mother and fetus during pregnancy
• Teaching mothers and families about caring for an infant and nutrition
• Advocating for public health initiatives
• Teaching and researching

In addition, these specialized nurses work with gynecologists and obstetricians to assess and treat women with chronic and acute conditions. Securing hospital privileges is also critical to a midwife’s ability to conduct a professional practice. Obtaining hospital privileges enables the midwife to access resources such as the emergency room, lab, and radiology.

Nurse midwives can work anywhere in the world and are in demand in places like New Zealand. The most common settings are hospitals, birthing centers, and clinics. Other locations could be community health centers, private practices, public health departments or health maintenance organizations. In some cases, certified nurse midwives actually work in the mother’s home if the birth is to be a home birth; in these cases, conditions must be appropriate for this to occur.

The pay range for certified nurse midwives is slightly more in gynecology and obstetrics practices than in hospital settings. The median salary in 2010 for this position was between $70,703 and $85,809. Of course, geographical areas of the country as well as education and experience impact salaries.

Now decide whether certified nurse midwife training is your next option. Imagine the advantages that come from working with women as they bring new life into the world. Think about the personal fulfillment that comes from assisting them during these important times in their lives. The need is increasing; will you choose this option for your next career move?

Certified Nurse Midwife Training: Preparing for Career Success is a post from: Find Healthcare Training

Neonatal Nurse Requirements

What is the education needed to become a neonatal nurse? A series of steps is necessary to complete all the requirements to specialize in neonatal nursing. Let’s look at the various requirements and types of classes necessary to accomplish this educational goal.

Fulfilling the following training and degree requirements leads to a neonatal nursing profession:

• Obtain a nursing degree from an accredited school.
• Earn either an Associate Degree of Science in Nursing (ASN) or a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Pass the state board of nursing licensing exam known as NCLEX-RN.
• Attain licensure in your state.
• Renew your license according to state regulations, every two or four years.
• Acquire several years of nursing experience, usually two to three years, within a neonatal unit, if possible.
• Consider attending specialized graduate training for clinical nurse specialist or neonatal nurse practitioner.
• Obtain highly specialized certifications for this position.

All nursing programs provide courses in anatomy and physiology, behavioral sciences, chemistry, microbiology, nursing concepts, nutrition, and psychology. Liberal arts courses are added for associate and baccalaureate degree students.

Neonatal nursing courses cover advanced topics such as the physiology of the newborn and pathophysiology or the study of changes caused by disease or injury. Neonatal pharmacology, which concerns medication for infants, is an important component as well. Classes on specialized equipment and procedures used on infants are a must.

Supervised clinical experience helps to engage the neonatal nurse in applying coursework by assessing newborns, rendering diagnoses, executing procedures and giving medications. These hands-on experiences are completed in various departments including maternity, pediatrics, psychiatry and surgery primarily in larger hospitals.

Working with newborns who require specialized services in the intensive care unit requires nurses to have specific knowledge and skills sets. The National Association of Neonatal Nurses recommends at least two years of experience in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or NICU.

Registered nurses who are dedicated to the specialized care of these newborns and their families might consider enrolling in graduate courses to become a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) or a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP).

A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is a registered nurse with advanced graduate education and practice from a specialized training program. The focus of the CNS role is to improve and integrate care for the patient, nurse and system. His/her responsibility is to assist in the navigation of a complex healthcare system through all phases of illness and wellness.

On the other hand, a neonatal nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has completed the necessary steps to becoming a neonatal nurse. Trained to evaluate newborns and carry out the specialized medical interventions to ensure their growth and well being, these highly-trained professionals are a great asset to pediatric physicians.

Due to the nature of the work with ill or pre-mature newborns during their first 28 days of life, nursing professionals must be certified in neonatal resuscitation or practices of neonatal intensive care nursing.

Becoming a neonatal nurse requires almost as much education as becoming a physician. Advanced degrees and continuing education are necessary due to the unique specialization of providing care to premature, small or sick newborns.

As a nurse practitioner concentrating on babies who need technological measures to help them survive, a neonatal nurse may hold a national certification as evidence of knowledge and skills in this specialized area.

To be eligible for the neonatal nurse practitioner examination, you must currently hold licensure as a registered nurse in the United State or Canada. In addition, you must have successfully completed a nurse practitioner program with a graduate degree in the discipline; the latter includes a master’s or post-master’s degree.

The exam is available in two formats: paper and pencil at specific testing sites or computerized testing. Passing this examination gives a nurse practitioner the credential as a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP-BC).

After receiving at least two years of hands-on experience, the neonatal nurse is entitled to various other certifications. Tests based upon a number of specializations are available as follows:

• Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse (NICU)
• Neonatal Pediatric Transport Nurse (NPT)
• Low Risk Neonatal Nurse (LRN)

Nurses who were born or educated in foreign countries must secure a visa to work in the United States. To do so, they must participate in a screening procedure that reviews their education and licensure to be sure it is comparable to that provided to a nurse in this country.

Foreign born or educated nurses must demonstrate proficiency in verbal and written English and must afford proof of having passed either the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) or the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) Qualifying Examination.

Neonatal Nurse Job Description

Most healthcare professions are experiencing growth. With so many technological advances in all areas, it is not surprising that the demand for neonatal nurses will increase, especially since the number of multiple births has risen. These newborns often need critical care to mature before they are ready to go home.

In addition, the more education, certifications and experience a registered nurse has, the more opportunities that become available. Becoming a neonatal nurse may mean working in the intensive care unit of a large hospital then advancing to a clinical nurse specialist or a neonatal nurse practitioner.

It may also result in teaching, researching or carrying out system development and improvement. Higher education options such as a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science (PhD) are terminal degrees that are further options.

A neonatal registered nurse cares for newborn babies in the nursery and the neonatal intensive care unit. Some children are healthy newborns while others are very ill. The nurse’s responsibilities include such tasks and interventions as the following:

• Administering medications
• Utilizing specialized equipment such as incubators and ventilators
• Educating parents about babies’ medical conditions
• Giving support to parents
• Recording newborns’ medical histories and treatments
• Providing specified feedings, oxygen and intravenous therapies
• Assessing and implementing babies’ care
• Evaluating treatment plans
• Assisting attending physicians
• Delivering other levels of care, as needed

The work of neonatal nurses is divided into three levels depending on the intensity and duration of services that may be needed. An explanation of the levels follows:

Level I is the nursery for healthy newborns. Since mothers with healthy babies now keep the infants in the same room and have a short stay in the hospital, the work of a nurse is simply to care for the mother and child according to their short-term needs.

Level II babies are those that require continual attention to mature before going home. They are the premature or ill babies who need oxygen, intravenous and concentrated feedings

Level III is the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where newborns that are critically ill receive constant direct care. These infants usually cannot be cared for in any other department of the hospital. High levels of technology are utilized in their treatment plans. Educating and supporting the parents is a critical role at this level.

Where Do Neonatal Nurses Work

Neonatal nurses work primarily in hospitals and in the neonatal intensive care units. They may also work in clinics or educate parents and family members. Some may even be employed as researchers or consultants. Their important role necessitates teamwork with doctors, medical staff, parents and other specialists.

Employment consists of a full time 40-hour or more work week. Because neonatal nurses play such a vital role in the care of newborns, they may work holidays, nights or weekends as well.

Neonatal Nurse Salary

Salary ranges for neonatal nurses varies according to geographic areas. The national average salary is $63,000 according to www.indeed.com. For neonatal nurse practitioners, the average salary is $74,000 according to the same source. Metropolitan area facilities offer the highest salaries.

Of course, the amount of education and experience determines salary levels. Data from 2009 indicates that pay ranges vary from $49,296 for those with less than one year of experience to $111,831 for those neonatal nurses with more than twenty years of work experience in the specialized field.

Unlimited opportunities exist for those who wish to dedicate their knowledge, skills and support to newborns starting life with a healthy start or to those with a critically challenged beginning. As a neonatal nurse, you will care for all new human life regardless of the newborns’ state of health.

If becoming a neonatal nurse is your calling, prepare for a dynamic career full of joy and sorrow. Be ready to celebrate new life with many new parents, but plan to extend emotional encouragement to those whose babies are fighting for their lives.

The Steps to Becoming a Neonatal Nurse is a post from: Find Healthcare Training

Bossier Parish Community College

This two-year college is located in Bossier City, LA. This school has three semesters, one of which is in the summer. Students may enroll and begin in any semester, and admission is open which means all qualified students are accepted. Tuition is relatively inexpensive and work study is available making this an affordable option for many students.

Bossier offers two options for pharmacy technicians. In only two semesters, students can earn a Certificate of Technical Studies. By passing nine more classes, students will acquire an Associate of Applied Science degree. Once the student completes the program, he or she may take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.

To earn the Certificate of Technical Studies, students must complete six practical courses that relate directly to working in a pharmacy. Some examples of classes include medical terminology and dosage calculations. It also requires labs and a pharmacy clinical. Some of the requirements for the Associate degree are general classes such as algebra, English or psychology. It also includes medical ethics and law.

Delgado Community College

This school is located in New Orleans and has an excellent student to faculty ratio. It also offers open admission, but the pharmacy technician program only accepts a limited number of students.

Delgado offers the Certificate of Technical Studies for pharmacy technicians; they do not have the option of adding an Associate degree. However, students may transfer to another college for additional education. Students planning to do this should look into the transferability ahead of time. The certificate takes two semesters to complete, and once the student has passed the program, he or she may take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. The coursework combines traditional classroom learning with clinical experience.

The class list is quite different from that offered by Bossier and includes courses such as Body Systems, Diseases, and Drugs. Anyone interested in becoming a pharmacy technician may wish to review the course lists of both schools to determine which sounds more interesting to them.

Comparing pharmacy technician schools in Louisiana is a difficult task, but one that is well worth the effort. No two schools are alike and anyone wishing to pursue a career as a pharmacy technician would do well to review the pros and cons of each school to determine what would work best for them. This guide will hopefully give you a jumping off point to begin your own research. Best of luck with your new career!

A Comparison of Pharmacy Technician Schools in Louisiana is a post from: Find Healthcare Training

Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology

One Massachusetts school that offers pharmacy technician training is the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, located in Boston. Their one year certificate program was developed with the cooperation of CVS pharmacies and prepares students to perform as pharmacy technicians in a variety of pharmacies, including clinics, hospitals, and other locations. The curriculum consists of eight required classes and one elective. Classes include:

• Two semesters of Pharmacology
• Two semesters of Pharmacy Operations
• One semester of Pharmacy Calculations

The Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology Career Services Office is available to assist students and graduates in developing career tools to help find employment. These include resume and cover letter development as well as interview techniques. The Career Services Office also helps to match students and graduates with employers via job listings, on-campus recruiting, and job fairs.

Roxbury Community College

Another school that offers pharmacy tech training in Massachusetts is Roxbury Community College. They offer a twenty-four week program divided into two parts.

• Math for Pharmacy Technician is a twelve-week course that provides students with proficiency in the performance of pharmacy calculations.
• Pharmacy Technician Training is an additional twelve weeks that focuses students on preparation for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board National Exam. The curriculum includes:
• Filling medication dosage forms and completing pharmacy calculations
• Completing routes of administration
• Prescription Interpretation of various forms of medication
• Classes of medications, including adverse effects as well as drug interactions
• Ethics and Pharmacy Law

Roxbury Community College supports students and graduates throughout their process of career planning with a variety of programs designed to obtain employment, such as an internship, which provides students with real world experiences.

Massasoit Community College

Massasoit Community College is another school offering pharmacy technician training in Massachusetts. Massasoit has three campuses: one in Brockton, one in Canton, and one in Middleborough. The Pharmacy Technician Training Program is completed in a single semester. It consists of a 240 hours: 120 hours in the classroom and 120 hours of practical instruction in a supervised job setting.

Pharmacy technician employment is expected to rise by 25% between 2008 and 2018. As the population ages, as well as the development of new pharmaceuticals, prescription drug use is expected to rise, spurring an increased demand for pharmacy technicians.

It is a good time to be seeking out pharmacy technician training in Massachusetts. In the current uncertain economic environment, education and certification leading to a position as a pharmacy technician is a viable career option. The sooner you can get enrolled in a pharmacy technician school, the sooner you will find yourself employed as a certified pharmacy technician.

3 Options for Pharmacy Technician Training in Massachusetts is a post from: Find Healthcare Training

Pharmacy technicians are educated and certified to assist pharmacists in commercial pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, or nursing homes where drug prescriptions are filled. Working under the supervision of a pharmacist, these assistants will accomplish a variety of administrative tasks, as well as restocking and breaking down shipments. They will learn pharmacy law, how to combine and distribute drugs, and how drugs work and interact.

Jackson Community College

Community colleges are a good place to begin looking for pharmacy technician training. At Jackson Community College, for instance, prospective pharmacy tech students can find training through the allied health offerings.

This school provides a two-year applied science associate’s degree that includes all the core requirements of a college degree, plus technical classes in health care technologies, medical terminology, and pharmacology. For this career track requisites in the core curriculum include biology, microbiology, and anatomy.

Henry Ford Community College

Other community colleges, like Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, offer a 37-credit program, which may be completed in a year to become a certified pharmacy technician. This program begins each fall semester and includes externships in community pharmacies in the spring for lots of hands-on training.

Students become proficient through classes in pharmacology, pharmacy technology, pharmaceutical calculations, medical terminology, and use of computers in healthcare. The initial externships here require eight hours a week of clinical commitment for eight weeks. A second externship lasts from 10-12 weeks and carries a commitment of 24-32 hours per week in a pharmacy.

Mid Michigan Community College

Mid Michigan Community College in Harrison offers a year long credentialing for prospective pharmacy technicians that includes a 320-hour practicum. Tech schools are another place to look for this type training.

The Michigan Career and Technical Institute

The Michigan Career and Technical Institute trains a variety of technical and trade skills, and began offering suitable training in pharmacy tech in the 2009-2010 school year. This tech school is specifically designed to serve the disabled community.

Before taking a certifying exam, students in Michigan should know that the state does not regulate pharmacy technicians at this time. Michigan’s licensing department recommends students seek certification through a national agency such as the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.

Students can apply for the exam online, where they are scheduled to take the exam at a Pearson Vue testing facility. In Michigan there are three facilities to choose from in Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Marquette.

According to the Department of Labor job statistics, pharmacy technicians have a sunny outlook with jobs in this area increasing much faster than average.

A wide variety of choices for pharmacy technician schools in Michigan exists through the community college system, tech schools, and universities. Interested students should do their homework, decide what amount of money they want to spend and what they want to take away in skills and credentials, and they’re sure to find the perfect fit.

Looking for Pharmacy Technician Schools in Michigan? is a post from: Find Healthcare Training

Atlanta Technical College

Consider Atlanta Technical College, for example. It offers three programs: an Associate Degree in Pharmacy Technology, a Pharmacy Technology diploma, and a Pharmacy Assistant Technical certificate. The Pharmacy Technology degree provides entry level skills for retail or hospital based pharmacies. Graduates are trained to prepare medications under the care of a pharmacist as pharmacy technicians.

Because it is an associate degree program, the curriculum consists of 63 credit hours. Some of the courses include:

• Anatomy and Physiology (2 semesters)
• Pharmaceutical Calculations which must be passed with a B in order to graduate




• Pharmacy Technology Fundamentals
• Principles of Dispensing Medications as well as Sterile Medication Preparation
• Pharmacology
• Pharmacy Technology and Advanced Pharmacy Technology Practicum which include 450 contact hours

The Pharmacy Technology diploma provides the skills needed for pharmacy employment. It is not as demanding as the associate degree, only requiring 54 credit hours. However, it does have the same 450 contact hours of practical hands on learning.

The Pharmacy Assistant Technical Certificate of Credit prepares students with entry level abilities in settings like retail and hospital pharmacies, nursing homes, or medical clinics. It only requires 33 credit hours and only 225 contact hours of practical hands on learning.

To promote professional growth and personal edification, Atlanta Technical College also provides non-credit continuing education, including short courses, workshops, and seminars. In addition, Atlanta Technical College’s Career Placement Staff provides assistance in the search for employment, assisting in searching for opportunities before and after graduation.

Albany Technical College

Albany Technical College is another Georgia school offering pharmacy tech training programs. It offers two programs: an 18-month, 76-credit hour diploma program and a 24-month, 96-credit hour associate degree program.

Both the Pharmacy Technology diploma and associate degree programs prepare graduates to be pharmacy technicians, who will be responsible for preparing medications under a pharmacist’s supervision. The Pharmacy Technology diploma program curriculum includes:

• Medical Terminology
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Inorganic Chemistry




• Pharmaceutical Calculations
• Pharmacy and Advanced Pharmacy Technology Fundamentals
• Principles of Medication Dispensing
• Pharmacology
• Pharmacy and Advanced Pharmacy Technology Practicum

The Pharmacy Technology Associate Degree program contains the same courses as the diploma program. It also has a second semester in Anatomy and Physiology as well as general core courses required for an associate degree.

The Albany Technical College Career Planning and Placement Office assist graduates in preparing for and seeking employment. Services include assistance with resume writing and critiquing, internships and job listings, as well as career fairs and employment skills workshops.

The job outlook for graduates of pharmacy technician schools in Georgia looks very promising. According to the Georgia Labor Market Explorer, the demand for pharmacy technicians will increase by more than 36% by 2016. Therefore, now is a good time to get your career started as a pharmacy technician.

Examining 2 Pharmacy Technician Schools in Georgia is a post from: Find Healthcare Training

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.

Comparing Pharmacy Technician Schools in Arizona is a post from: Find Healthcare Training