Pharmacy Tech College
How to Find the Best One Near Surprise Arizona

Having made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Surprise AZ, you might be wondering just how to choose the right school to receive your education and training. Of course the first step is to locate schools that offer the diploma or degree that you are interested in. When looking for pharmacy technician programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are significant factors when deciding on a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation need to be considered as well. You might also decide to take a look at several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifications and others that you will want to include when comparing 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.

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

Pharmacy Technician Degree Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically two options to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an accepted Surprise AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician colleges choose to get certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, many Surprise AZ employers will only employ a tech that is certified. 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 finished a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every two years by both programs, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Classes Online

Before selecting a pharmacist tech online college, it's necessary to realize that most schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in a local Surprise pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech in order to acquire some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online in your Surprise AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, particularly for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials may be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is important for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online training may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

Once you have determined whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are many pharmacist tech schools to pick from in the Surprise AZ area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Surprise home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are several other variables that you should consider so that you may properly compare programs. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Most pharmacist technician programs and trade schools have acquired a regional or national 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 evaluated and certified to provide a complete superior education. Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping make sure that you receive a superior education, it may help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Surprise AZ employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but numerous employers prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacy tech program should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This condition can be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Surprise AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Finding that initial job in Surprise AZ upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging task without any assistance. Find out if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Surprise AZ residence. Individuals who have chosen 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 concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one 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 decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacist technician college you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Surprise AZ area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Surprise

Enroll in the Best Surprise Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the best pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to launching your career in a gratifying occupation where helping people with their wellness is your objective. In the past, most pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician programs incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to select a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the proper training and commitment you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Surprise Arizona.

 

Surprise Pharmacy Technician Certificate | Surprise Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online