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

Having decided to attain your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Tempe AZ, you might be thinking about how to select the best program to receive your education and training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing colleges so that you ultimately pick the ideal one? Many potential students start by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are significant factors when selecting 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. And if you are interested in studying in your home in front of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically 2 alternatives 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 various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Tempe AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech schools opt to get certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Tempe AZ employers will only hire a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the candidate be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed 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 called for every two years by each program, which can be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Classes Online

Prior to deciding on a pharmacy tech online program, it's important to understand that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is typically fulfilled in an area Tempe pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy technician so as to get some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed over the internet in your Tempe AZ home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for many students, especially for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online programs are frequently less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and costs for commuting and course materials can be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online program 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 training may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

Once you have determined whether you would like to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacy technician schools to choose from in the Tempe AZ area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Tempe residence. If you are able 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 must consider in order to adequately compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you obtain a superior education, it might help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Tempe AZ employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Prepare 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 school should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This condition can be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which may be fulfilled through an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with Tempe AZ area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first job in Tempe AZ upon graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a challenging endeavor without any support. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job placement 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 creating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Tempe AZ residence. Those who have opted to attend online classes naturally 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 keep in mind is that if you decide 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 generally charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacist technician program you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Tempe AZ area, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Tempe

Enroll in the Best Tempe Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the right pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to starting your career in a rewarding occupation where helping people with their wellness is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy tech colleges incorporate both classroom and clinical work. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This is true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the right education and commitment you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Tempe Arizona.

 

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