Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Catalina Foothills Arizona
Now that you have made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Catalina Foothills AZ, you may be pondering just how to pick the ideal college to get your education and training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the ideal one? When looking for pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are critical factors when selecting a college, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. You may also choose to research several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifications and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.
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Pharmacy Tech Certificates and Degrees
Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically 2 alternatives to training to be a technician 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 finished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an accepted Catalina Foothills AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Choices
It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician schools choose to get certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Catalina Foothills AZ employers 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 requirements are that the applicant be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is required every 2 years by both programs, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Tech Online Schools
Before deciding on a pharmacy tech online school, it's necessary to realize that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in an area Catalina Foothills pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to receive some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken over the internet in your Catalina Foothills AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for many students, particularly for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online schools are often less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and course materials may be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online college you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online instruction may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges
Once you have determined whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are many pharmacist tech programs to pick from in the Catalina Foothills AZ area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Catalina Foothills home. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are several other issues that you should take into consideration so that you may properly compare schools. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacist technician programs and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Don't forget to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Besides helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it may assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Catalina Foothills AZ employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician program should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This requirement can be met by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which may be met with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train 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 fulfill the requirement. Find out if the schools have associations with Catalina Foothills AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Offer Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial position in Catalina Foothills AZ after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult undertaking without any assistance. Ask if the schools you are researching have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.
Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Catalina Foothills AZ residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy tech college you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Catalina Foothills 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 credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Catalina Foothills
Enroll in the Best Catalina Foothills Pharmacy Tech School
Receiving the best pharmacy tech training is an important first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where assisting customers with their wellness is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist tech colleges include both laboratory and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to select a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the ideal choice. With the right education and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Catalina Foothills Arizona.
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