Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Surprise Arizona

Now that you have decided to earn your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Surprise AZ, you may be pondering just how to pick the ideal program to receive your education and training. Of course the first step is to locate colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are significant factors when choosing a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be evaluated as well. And if you are interested in attending classes in your home in front of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will cover these qualifiers and others that you will need 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 courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Diplomas and Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 options to training to be a tech 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 accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Surprise AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually involves about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech programs elect to become certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Additionally, many Surprise AZ employers 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 applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which can be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Schools Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacy tech online school, it's necessary to understand that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is usually fulfilled in a local Surprise pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to get some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken online in your Surprise AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, notably for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online colleges are frequently more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials can be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online program you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online instruction might be the right solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have determined whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy tech programs to select from in the Surprise AZ area and throughout the Country, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Surprise residence. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other issues that you need to consider in order to properly compare schools. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Make sure to verify that the degree or certificate program together with the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you obtain a superior education, it may assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require 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 Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many employers prefer that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician program should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This condition can be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech 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 meet the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Surprise AZ area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first job in Surprise AZ after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some assistance. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will have to be within driving distance of their Surprise AZ residence. Those who have chosen to attend classes online obviously 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 program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. 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 talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacist technician program you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Surprise AZ area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours 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 work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Surprise

Choose the Right Surprise Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the right pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to launching your career in a fulfilling occupation where helping customers with their wellness is your objective. In the past, many pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". These days, most employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist technician schools include both classroom and laboratory training. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the right selection. With the proper training and commitment you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Surprise Arizona.

 

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