Pharmacy Tech School
How to Pick the Right One Near Scottsdale Arizona

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Scottsdale AZ in order to get the right training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Of course the first step is to locate colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you would like to earn. Many future students start by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are significant concerns when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as 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 rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically 2 options 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 offer an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an accepted Scottsdale AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program should furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Choices

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician programs opt to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Scottsdale AZ pharmacies will only hire a technician that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the candidate be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has completed 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 required every two years by each program, which may be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Colleges Online

Before choosing a pharmacy tech online college, it's necessary to realize that most programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is typically fulfilled in an area Scottsdale pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy technician 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 alternative is more convenient for many 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 costs for driving and course materials may 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 obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that each online college you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction might be the best option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

After you have determined whether you want to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist technician schools to pick from in the Scottsdale AZ area and throughout the United States, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Scottsdale residence. 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 a number of other factors that you should take into consideration in order to adequately compare schools. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a complete superior education. Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it can help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the training program 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 School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many employers prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy tech college needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This condition may be satisfied by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with Scottsdale AZ area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Securing that initial position in Scottsdale AZ upon graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a daunting task without some support. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they pick will have to be within driving distance of their Scottsdale AZ home. Those who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacist tech program you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Scottsdale AZ area, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. 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 Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Scottsdale

Enroll in the Best Scottsdale Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the best pharmacy tech training is an important first step to launching your career in a gratifying profession where assisting people with their wellness is your objective. Traditionally, many pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist tech programs incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to select a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to compare programs so that you are certain to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate education and commitment you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Scottsdale Arizona.

 

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