Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Phoenix Arizona
Having decided to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Phoenix AZ, you may be wondering how to pick the best college to get your education and training. Of course the first step is to find schools that offer the certificate or degree that you would like to earn. A number of prospective students start by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are important factors when selecting a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be evaluated as well. You might also want to look into several accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifications and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online programs.
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Pharmacy Tech Degree Programs
Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically two alternatives to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Phoenix AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally requires about two 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 necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.
Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available
It is not required to earn certification in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech colleges opt to become certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Additionally, many Phoenix AZ employers will only hire a technician that has earned certification. 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 finished a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by each program, which can be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Technician Classes Online
Before deciding on a pharmacist tech online training program, it's necessary to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in a local Phoenix pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to obtain some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed online in your Phoenix AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, especially for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online colleges are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and costs for commuting and study materials may be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online college you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online training might be the ideal solution for you.
What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs
Once you have determined whether you want to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist tech schools to pick from in the Phoenix AZ area and throughout the United States, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Phoenix residence. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are many other factors that you must consider in order to adequately compare colleges. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.
Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a comprehensive quality education. Online schools may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program together with the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Phoenix AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many employers desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech school should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This qualification can be satisfied by participating in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with Phoenix AZ area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Finding that initial position in Phoenix AZ after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult task without any assistance. Find out if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Phoenix AZ residence. Those who have chosen 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. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps 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 often charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the back of class 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 schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacist tech school you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Phoenix AZ area, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.
Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Phoenix
Enroll in the Best Phoenix Pharmacy Tech Program
Getting the right pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a rewarding occupation where assisting customers with their wellness is your mission. In the past, most pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained techs. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy technician schools include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary 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 other suggestions you will be able to compare colleges so that you are certain to make the ideal choice. With the appropriate training and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Phoenix Arizona.
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