Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Find the Right One Near Alamo California

Having made the decision to earn your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Alamo CA, you might be pondering just how to select the best program to receive your education and training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently enroll in the best one? When checking out pharmacy technician programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are significant factors when picking a college, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. And if you prefer studying at home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifications and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have various job functions, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Alamo CA pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medications per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice concerning medications or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Some of the regular daily duties a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Welcome and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Add prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and control inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer techs with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work after hours is a very rewarding career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Diplomas

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 alternatives to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also include an internship at an accepted Alamo CA pharmacy or other 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 in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program should provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech colleges opt to get certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Alamo CA employers will only hire a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide 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 finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Schools

Before choosing a pharmacist tech online college, it's important to realize that most schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is usually fulfilled in an area Alamo pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to receive some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed over the internet in your Alamo CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for many students, especially for those who continue to work while attaining their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs for commuting and course materials can be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online college you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online instruction might be the best solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

After you have determined whether you wish to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist technician colleges to pick from in the Alamo CA area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Alamo residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are several other issues that you need to consider so that you may adequately compare programs. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Along with helping ensure that you get a quality education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Alamo CA 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 required in every state, but many employers desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician program should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates a year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the programs have associations with Alamo CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first position in Alamo CA upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging undertaking without any help. Find out if the schools 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 indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Alamo CA home. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have 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 don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist tech program you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Alamo CA area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Alamo

Enroll in the Right Alamo Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the best pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a rewarding occupation where helping customers with their wellness is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacists can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech programs incorporate both classroom and clinical training. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to compare programs so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the right education and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Alamo California.

 

Alamo Pharmacy Technician Certificate | Alamo Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online