Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Altadena California

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Altadena CA so you can receive the right training to build a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. Of course the initial step is to find colleges that offer the degree or certificate that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are important factors when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. And if you are interested in attending classes at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be included in your vetting process. We will go over these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have many job functions, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Altadena CA pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities since 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 a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they may help customers with understanding directions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice pertaining to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Receive and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
• Add customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and control inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes being required to work off-hours is a very satisfying career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Diplomas

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two options to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Altadena CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should furnish the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician programs choose to become certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, many Altadena CA employers will only hire a tech that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide 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 at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which can be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Classes

Before deciding on a pharmacy tech online program, it's important to realize that most programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in a local Altadena pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to acquire some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken online in your Altadena CA home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, especially for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online colleges are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials can be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is important for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online school you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online classes may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

After you have determined whether you wish to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are a large number of pharmacy technician programs to select from in the Altadena CA area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Altadena home. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are several other variables that you must take into consideration so that you may properly compare schools. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. Among 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 furnish a complete superior education. Online colleges may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Don't forget to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping make sure that you obtain a superior education, it might assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And many Altadena 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 mandated in every state, but a number of employers prefer that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician school should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This qualification may be satisfied by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the schools have a working relationship with Altadena CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in Altadena CA after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a difficult task without some assistance. Ask if the schools you are considering have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Altadena CA residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering 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 decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist technician program you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Altadena CA area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Altadena

Choose the Right Altadena Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the best pharmacy technician training is an important first step to starting your career in a gratifying occupation where helping people with their wellness is your objective. Traditionally, many pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacy tech schools incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to select a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the right training and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Altadena California.

 

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