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

Now that you have decided to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Tempe AZ, you might be wondering just how to select the ideal school to receive your education and training. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately enroll in the right one? A number of future students begin by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are critical concerns when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation need to be considered as well. And if you are interested in studying at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Diplomas and Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially 2 alternatives to becoming a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Tempe AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally 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 in the future. Either program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Programs Online

Before selecting a pharmacist tech online college, it's important to understand that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Tempe pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy technician in order to get some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be taken online in your Tempe AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for most students, notably for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online college you are reviewing 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 instruction might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

After you have decided whether you want to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacist tech programs to pick from in the Tempe AZ area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Tempe home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are many other factors that you should consider so that you may properly compare programs. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech colleges and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a complete quality education. Online programs may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Make sure to verify that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it can help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Tempe AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of employers prefer that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician program needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This qualification can be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates one year of professional experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the colleges have a working relationship with Tempe AZ area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that first job in Tempe AZ upon graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a challenging task without any support. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Tempe AZ residence. Those who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to bear 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 may need 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 are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician program you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Tempe AZ area, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, 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 work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Tempe

Choose the Right Tempe Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the ideal pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to launching your career in a rewarding profession where assisting people with their wellness is your mission. In the past, most pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist tech schools incorporate both laboratory and classroom work. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to choose a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to compare colleges so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the right training and determination you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Tempe Arizona.

 

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