Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Prescott Valley Arizona

Now that you have made the decision to earn your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Prescott Valley AZ, you may be pondering how to choose the right school to get your education and training. Naturally the first step is to locate colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are critical factors when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. And if you are interested in studying at home in front of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be included in your vetting process. We will go over these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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

Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially 2 options to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an accepted Prescott Valley AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Online Colleges

Before selecting a pharmacy tech online program, it's necessary to understand that most schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is usually fulfilled in a local Prescott Valley pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to receive some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed over the internet in your Prescott Valley AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for most students, notably for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online programs are frequently more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online program you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online classes may be the ideal solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

After you have decided whether you wish to obtain 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 target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist technician programs to pick from in the Prescott Valley AZ area and throughout the United States, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Prescott Valley residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are several other variables that you must consider so that you may effectively compare colleges. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacy technician colleges and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program together with the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Along with helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it might assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many Prescott Valley AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of employers desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician college needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification may be satisfied by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be fulfilled through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with Prescott Valley AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial position in Prescott Valley AZ after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a difficult undertaking without any assistance. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Prescott Valley AZ residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. 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 need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically 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 prefers to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student 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 an opportunity to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacy technician college you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Prescott Valley AZ area, confirm 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 need to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Prescott Valley

Choose the Right Prescott Valley Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the right pharmacy tech training is an important first step to beginning your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting people with their wellness is your mission. In the past, most pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy technician schools include both laboratory and classroom work. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to choose a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This is true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the proper education and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Prescott Valley Arizona.

 

Prescott Valley Pharmacy Technician Classes | Prescott Valley Pharmacy Tech Schools