Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Altadena California

Having decided to earn your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Altadena CA, you may be pondering how to choose the ideal program to get your education and training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently pick 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 lowest tuition. While tuition and location are critical concerns when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. And if you prefer attending classes at home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will cover these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have various job responsibilities, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Altadena CA pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice concerning medications or anything else. All such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the regular daily tasks a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Welcome and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
• Input customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work off-hours is a very satisfying career helping people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Certificates

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 alternatives to becoming a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be completed in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved Altadena CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually requires about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program should provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician schools opt to become certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Altadena CA pharmacies will only employ a tech 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 candidate be 18 years or older, 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 examination. Recertification is mandated every two years by both programs, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Schools Online

Prior to selecting a pharmacy tech online program, it's necessary to understand that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is usually fulfilled in an area Altadena pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to acquire some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed over the internet in your Altadena CA home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, especially for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online colleges are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important 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 disciplined enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online classes may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have decided whether you want to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy tech schools to choose from in the Altadena CA area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Altadena residence. If you are willing 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 should consider in order to effectively compare programs. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Most pharmacist tech colleges and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it can assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Altadena CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but a number of employers prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacy tech program should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates one year of professional experience for certification, which may be met with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the programs have a working relationship with Altadena CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Finding that first position in Altadena CA upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a daunting undertaking without any support. Ask if the schools you are considering have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Altadena CA home. Students who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to keep 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 might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at 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 determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist technician college you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Altadena CA area, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Altadena

Enroll in the Best Altadena Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the ideal pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where assisting people with their wellness is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist technician programs include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to select a college that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are certain to make the ideal choice. With the appropriate education and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Altadena California.

 

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