Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Prescott Valley Arizona

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Prescott Valley AZ so you can get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Naturally the first step is to locate colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you are interested in. Many potential students start by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are important factors when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. And if you prefer studying in your home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers 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 programs.

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

Pharmacy Tech Degree Programs

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two alternatives to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved Prescott Valley AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically 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 in the future. Either program should furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech programs opt to get certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Also, many Prescott Valley AZ employers will only employ a tech 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 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by each program, which can be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Classes Online

Before choosing a pharmacy technician online school, it's necessary to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in a local Prescott Valley pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to acquire some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed over the internet in your Prescott Valley AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, especially for those who keep working while attaining their certificate or degree. And online programs are frequently less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online school you are looking at 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 formal type of education, then online classes might be the best solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

Once you have determined whether you would like to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacy technician colleges to pick from in the Prescott Valley AZ area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Prescott Valley home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other issues that you should take into consideration in order to properly compare schools. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacist tech programs and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online schools may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance education. Make sure to verify that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you obtain a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might 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 numerous pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician college needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This condition may be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which may be met through an internship program. One of the best ways 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 an excellent way to meet the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with Prescott Valley AZ area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Getting that first position in Prescott Valley AZ upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging endeavor without some support. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Prescott Valley AZ residence. Those who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically 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 prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average student to teacher 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 a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist tech college you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Prescott Valley 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 courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Prescott Valley

Choose the Right Prescott Valley Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the right pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to starting your career in a fulfilling occupation where helping customers with their health is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech schools incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a college that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to compare colleges so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate training and commitment you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Prescott Valley Arizona.

 

Prescott Valley Pharmacy Technician Schools | Prescott Valley Pharmacy Technician Training