Pharmacy Tech College
How to Choose the Right One Near Beverly Hills California

Having made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Beverly Hills CA, you may be pondering how to pick the right college to receive your education and training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing colleges so that you ultimately pick the best one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are critical factors when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. And if you are interested in attending classes at home by means of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Diplomas and Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically two options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an accepted Beverly Hills CA pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician programs opt to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, many Beverly Hills CA pharmacies will only employ a technician that has earned certification. There are two organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every two years by each program, which may be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Classes Online

Prior to selecting a pharmacy technician online program, it's important to understand that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is typically fulfilled in a local Beverly Hills pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to receive some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed over the internet in your Beverly Hills CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, particularly for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online schools are frequently more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and study materials can be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that each online school you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online classes may be the best solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

Once you have decided whether you want to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist tech programs to pick from in the Beverly Hills CA area and throughout the United States, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Beverly Hills home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are many other factors that you must take into consideration so that you may effectively compare schools. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to offer a complete superior education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Make sure to verify that the degree or certificate program together with the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Beverly Hills CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but a number of pharmacies desire that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician college should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This condition may be met by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which may be met by means of 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 in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Ask if the colleges have a working relationship with Beverly Hills CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first position in Beverly Hills CA upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some help. Ask if the schools you are considering have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Beverly Hills CA home. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to bear 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 often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently 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 student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacy tech program you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Beverly Hills CA area, check that they are offered. 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 carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Beverly Hills

Enroll in the Best Beverly Hills Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a rewarding occupation where assisting people with their wellness is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist technician colleges incorporate both clinical and classroom training. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to select a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the appropriate training and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Beverly Hills California.

 

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