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

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Altadena CA in order to receive the right training to build a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. Usually the initial step is to find colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. When looking for pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are important factors when deciding on a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers including reputation and accreditation should be taken into account as well. You may also decide to research several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 alternatives to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Altadena CA pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can 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 numerous graduates of pharmacy tech programs opt to become certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Altadena CA pharmacies will only employ a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which can be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Classes

Prior to choosing a pharmacist tech online program, it's necessary to understand that most schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is usually fulfilled in a local Altadena pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy technician in order to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken online in your Altadena CA home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials may be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online program you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online instruction may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have determined whether you want to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy technician colleges to choose from in the Altadena CA area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Altadena residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are several other factors that you must take into consideration so that you may adequately compare schools. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacy technician programs and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a complete superior education. Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Make sure to verify that the degree or certificate program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Altadena CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but numerous pharmacies desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacy technician school should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of work experience. This qualification can be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

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

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial job in Altadena CA after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a daunting undertaking without any assistance. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they select will need to be within driving distance of their Altadena CA home. Those who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often 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.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy tech college you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Altadena CA area, confirm that they are available. 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 carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Altadena

Enroll in the Right Altadena Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the best pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a rewarding occupation where helping people with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy technician schools include both classroom and laboratory work. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to choose a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This is true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the proper education and commitment you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Altadena California.

 

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