Pharmacy Tech College
How to Choose the Right One Near Phoenix Arizona
It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Phoenix AZ so you can receive the proper training to build a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. Naturally the first step is to locate colleges that offer the certificate or degree that you are interested in. Many future students begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are critical concerns when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. And if you are interested in studying in your home in front of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and some 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 programs.
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Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Diplomas
Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 alternatives to becoming a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an approved Phoenix AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally involves about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Options
It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy technician programs elect to get certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Phoenix AZ employers will only hire a technician that is certified. There are 2 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 one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Tech Online Classes
Before choosing a pharmacy technician online college, it's important to realize that most programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in a local Phoenix pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy technician in order to obtain some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be taken over the internet in your Phoenix AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, notably for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online training may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs
After you have determined whether you wish to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist technician colleges to pick from in the Phoenix AZ area and throughout the USA, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Phoenix residence. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are several other factors that you should consider so that you may properly compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacy tech programs and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. In addition to helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it may help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Phoenix AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician school needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by entering a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which may be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the colleges have associations with Phoenix AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first position in Phoenix AZ upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some support. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will have to be within driving distance of their Phoenix AZ home. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online naturally 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 choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacy tech program you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Phoenix AZ area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Phoenix
Choose the Right Phoenix Pharmacy Tech Program
Finding the ideal pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where assisting people with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, many pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy technician programs include both clinical and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to select a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This holds true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to compare schools so that you are certain to make the right selection. With the right education and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Phoenix Arizona.
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