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

Now that you have made the decision to attain your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Scottsdale AZ, you may be thinking about just how to pick the ideal school to get your education and training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately pick the ideal one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are critical concerns when picking a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications including accreditation and reputation need to be evaluated as well. 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 program will also be included in your vetting process. We will cover these qualifiers 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 classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 alternatives to training to be 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 various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also include an internship at an approved Scottsdale AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically takes about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician colleges opt to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, a number of Scottsdale AZ employers will only employ a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant 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 just requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every two years by each program, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Colleges

Before choosing a pharmacy tech online college, it's necessary to understand that most programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in a local Scottsdale pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy tech so as to receive some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be taken online in your Scottsdale AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for many students, notably for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online schools are frequently more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and costs for commuting and course materials can be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that each online program you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online instruction may be the best solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

After you have decided whether you wish to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist tech schools to choose from in the Scottsdale AZ area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Scottsdale home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are several other issues that you should consider in order to adequately compare colleges. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Most pharmacy tech colleges and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to furnish a complete quality education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to helping make sure that you receive a superior education, it might assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Scottsdale AZ employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech program should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires one year of professional experience for certification, which may be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech 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 Scottsdale AZ area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Finding that initial position in Scottsdale AZ after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a daunting endeavor without any assistance. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they select will have to be within driving distance of their Scottsdale AZ residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry 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 college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer 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 pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy technician college you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Scottsdale AZ area, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Scottsdale

Choose the Right Scottsdale Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the best pharmacy tech training is an important first step to beginning your career in a fulfilling profession where helping people with their health is your objective. In the past, many pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy technician programs include both clinical and classroom work. As we have covered in this article, it's important to select a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies 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 compare programs so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the appropriate education and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Scottsdale Arizona.

 

Scottsdale Pharmacy Tech Schools Online | Scottsdale Pharmacy Technician Certificate