Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Tempe Arizona

Having made the decision to attain your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Tempe AZ, you might be pondering just how to pick the right program to get your education and training. Naturally the initial step is to find colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you are interested in. When looking for pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are significant factors when selecting a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation need to be considered also. You might also want to research a few accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifications 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 degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Diplomas

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially 2 alternatives to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an accepted Tempe AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically takes about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. 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 Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech programs choose to get certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Tempe AZ pharmacies will only employ a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires 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 applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Schools Online

Before choosing a pharmacist technician online college, it's necessary to realize that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in an area Tempe pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to acquire some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be taken over the internet in your Tempe AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, particularly for those who keep working while attaining their certificate or degree. And online programs are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials may be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online college you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online classes might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

After you have determined whether you wish to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy tech programs to choose from in the Tempe AZ area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Tempe home. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are many other factors that you must consider so that you may adequately compare programs. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician programs and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you get a superior education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And many Tempe AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous pharmacies desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech college needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of work experience. This requirement may be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires a year of experience for certification, which may be fulfilled through an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Tempe AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that initial job in Tempe AZ after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a daunting endeavor without some assistance. Find out if the schools you are considering have job assistance 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 profession generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they select will need to be within driving distance of their Tempe AZ residence. Those who have chosen 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 concern. 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 be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering 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 a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy tech school you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Tempe AZ area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative 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 due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Tempe

Enroll in the Right Tempe Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the ideal pharmacy technician training is an important first step to launching your career in a fulfilling profession where assisting people with their wellness is your objective. In the past, most pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist tech colleges include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have covered in this article, it's important to enroll in a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the proper education and dedication you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Tempe Arizona.

 

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