Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Select the Right One Near Scottsdale Arizona

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Scottsdale AZ so you can get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the ideal one? A number of potential students start by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are critical concerns when deciding on a college, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. You may also decide to research some accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Certificates and Degrees

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially 2 alternatives to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Scottsdale AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy tech schools choose to get certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, many Scottsdale AZ pharmacies will only employ 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 applicant be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, 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 called for every two years by each program, which may be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Programs

Prior to selecting a pharmacist technician online program, it's important to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is usually fulfilled in a local Scottsdale pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy technician in order to acquire some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken over the internet in your Scottsdale AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, especially for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials can be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online school you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online classes may be the ideal solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have decided whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist technician schools to choose from in the Scottsdale AZ area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Scottsdale residence. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are several other variables that you should take into consideration in order to adequately compare schools. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacist tech programs and trade schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to offer a complete quality education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance learning. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it might help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Scottsdale AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacy tech program needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This qualification may be satisfied by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which can be satisfied by means of an internship program. One of the best ways 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 prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the colleges have associations with Scottsdale AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Getting that initial position in Scottsdale AZ upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a challenging task without some support. Ask if the schools you are researching have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Scottsdale AZ residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble 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 might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing 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 final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist tech program you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Scottsdale AZ area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Scottsdale

Choose the Right Scottsdale Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the best pharmacy technician training is an important first step to beginning your career in a gratifying profession where helping customers with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained techs. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist tech colleges incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to choose a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the right selection. With the right training and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Scottsdale Arizona.

 

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