Pharmacy Tech Schools - Choose From Accredited Pharmacy Technician Schools And Programs
Which Pharmacy tech schools should you consider?
Careers in health related fields tend to have a pretty good job outlook, so they are worth considering. One option for those who don't necessarily want to work in a hospital is that of becoming a pharmacy tech. There are a number of different pharmacy tech schools you can choose from.
Programs tend to last one to two years and result in either a certificate or an associates degree. Some places of business will even hire people without training and train them on the job, but this is a lot less common these days.
Which accredited Pharmacy Technician Programs are there?
Pharmacy Tech Schools By State
When trying to decide among the available pharmacy technician schools, it is always best to choose a school that has an accredited program. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) accredits these programs. There are accredited programs in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming. For those who don't happen to live near one of the schools that have accredited programs, there are a number of online programs, just check to make sure that the one you are considering is accredited before you enrol.
What are the Pharmacy Tech requirements?
Pharmacy tech schools usually require that you have a high school diploma or a GED, and that you pass a drug test and a criminal records check. You can't have a criminal record for the previous five years, and you can't have any drug related convictions at all. You also need to be computer literate and have good English language skills. Some programs have other prerequisites as well.
While you are studying at one of the pharmacy tech schools, you can expect to be required to complete coursework as well as some sort of externship. The extern experience will give you some more practical work experience and help you to get a better feel for the job and the how you will use the skills that you have been learning. There are opportunities available at hospitals, community pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, and out patient pharmacies. Most schools have a number of businesses where they have extern arrangements set up for their students.
Where to go for Pharmacy Technician Certification?
After you complete your training at one of the many pharmacy tech schools, you will also be well advised to become certified. There are two organizations that give certification exams, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians. You will need to do about 20 hours of continuing education every two years in order to keep you certification current.
|
