Pharmacy Tech School
How to Select the Best One Near Agoura California

Now it’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Agoura CA in order to get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the best one? A number of future students begin by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are important concerns when picking a school, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. You may also decide to take a look at some accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifications and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have numerous job responsibilities, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Agoura CA pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. All such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the regular daily services a pharmacy technician might perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Add customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work after hours is an extremely gratifying career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Certificates and Degrees

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 options to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide 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 Agoura CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician schools elect to become certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, many Agoura CA pharmacies will only hire a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every two years by each program, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Colleges Online

Prior to deciding on a pharmacy tech online school, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in an area Agoura pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy tech in order to receive some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be taken online in your Agoura CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, particularly for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online colleges are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and costs for commuting and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that each online program you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online training may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have determined whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist tech schools to pick from in the Agoura CA area and throughout the USA, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Agoura residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you must consider so that you may adequately compare programs. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Many pharmacy tech colleges and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. In addition to helping guarantee that you obtain a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And many Agoura CA 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 mandated in all states, but numerous employers desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician college needs to ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This condition can be satisfied by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which may be met through an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech 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. Ask if the colleges have a working relationship with Agoura CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Getting that initial position in Agoura CA after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a difficult task without any support. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will have to be within driving distance of their Agoura CA home. Students who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? 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 probably want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the typical teacher to student 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 talk with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacist technician school you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Agoura CA area, make certain that they are offered. 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 have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Agoura

Choose the Right Agoura Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the ideal pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a fulfilling profession where helping people with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacies can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained techs. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacy technician schools incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to enroll in a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This is true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are certain to make the ideal selection. With the proper training and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Agoura California.

 

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