Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Find the Right One Near Phoenix Arizona

Now that you have made the decision to earn your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Phoenix AZ, you may be wondering just how to select the ideal college to receive your education and training. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently pick the best one? When checking out pharmacy technician programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are significant concerns when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation need to be evaluated as well. You might also decide to look into several accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below

Pharmacy Technician Diplomas and Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically 2 options to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an accepted Phoenix AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech programs elect to get certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Also, a number of Phoenix AZ employers will only employ a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

• National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

The NHA requirements are that the candidate be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Colleges Online

Before choosing a pharmacist technician online school, it's important to understand that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in an area Phoenix pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to receive some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken over the internet in your Phoenix AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, especially for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online schools are frequently more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and costs for commuting and course materials may be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (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 best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have determined whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacy technician programs to select from in the Phoenix AZ area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Phoenix residence. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you must consider in order to properly compare programs. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech colleges and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to furnish a complete quality education. Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Don't forget to check that the degree or certificate program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it might help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Phoenix AZ employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous employers desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacy technician college needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This condition can be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of professional experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the programs have associations with Phoenix AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial position in Phoenix AZ upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some support. Find out if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Phoenix AZ residence. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician college you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Phoenix AZ area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out 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 might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Phoenix

Choose the Right Phoenix Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the best pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a fulfilling occupation where helping people with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". These days, most employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy technician colleges include both classroom and laboratory work. As we have covered in this article, it's important to choose a college that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to compare colleges so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the proper training and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Phoenix Arizona.

 

Phoenix Pharmacy Tech Schools Online | Phoenix Pharmacy Technician Certificate