How to Select the Right Pharmacist Tech School Near Chandler Arizona

Having decided to attain your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near ChandlerAZ, you might be pondering how to select the right college to get your education and training. Of course the first step is to find schools that offer the degree or certificate that you are interested in. A number of future students start by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are significant concerns when selecting a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifications including reputation and accreditation should be taken into account 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 college will also be part of your vetting process. Let's take a look at the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two options to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Chandler AZ pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically takes about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacist Technician Available Certifications

Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician schools opt to become certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Also, a number of Chandler AZ pharmacies will only employ a tech that is certified. There are two organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant 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 only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is required every 2 years by both programs, which may be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacist Technician Colleges Online

Before selecting a pharmacy tech online college, it's necessary to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is usually satisfied in an area Chandler pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to obtain some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed over the internet in your Chandler AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, especially for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online colleges are frequently less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and course materials can be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that each online college you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online classes may be the right option for you.

More on How to Learn to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Chandler

Find the Right Chandler Pharmacy Tech Course

Finding the ideal pharmacist tech training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a rewarding occupation where helping people with their health is your mission. In the past, many pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician colleges incorporate both laboratory and classroom training. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to enroll in a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. With the appropriate education and commitment you can accomplish your goal of becoming a pharmacy technician in Chandler Arizona.

 

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