Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Prescott Arizona

Now that you have made the decision to attain your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Prescott AZ, you might be pondering how to pick the right program to get your education and training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the best one? Many future students begin by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are critical factors when choosing a college, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. And if you prefer attending classes in your home by means of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and others that you will want 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 programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. 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 diploma or a certificate, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Prescott AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician schools opt to get certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, many Prescott AZ pharmacies will only employ a technician that has earned certification. There are two organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requires that the candidate be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every two years by both programs, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Programs Online

Before choosing a pharmacist tech 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 usually satisfied in an area Prescott pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy tech in order to obtain some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken online in your Prescott AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, especially for those who keep working while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online college you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, 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 classes might be the ideal solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

Once you have determined whether you want to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist tech colleges to pick from in the Prescott AZ area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Prescott residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you should consider so that you may effectively compare colleges. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacist technician programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Don't forget to check that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you get a quality education, it might assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Prescott AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many employers desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician school needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This qualification may be satisfied by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires a year of experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with Prescott AZ area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in Prescott AZ after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a challenging endeavor without any help. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will have to be within driving distance of their Prescott AZ residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacist technician college you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Prescott AZ area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Prescott

Choose the Best Prescott Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the right pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to launching your career in a gratifying occupation where assisting people with their health is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist technician schools include both clinical and classroom training. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to select a program that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the best selection. With the proper training and commitment you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Prescott Arizona.

 

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