Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Select the Best One Near Burbank California

Now that you have decided to attain your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Burbank CA, you might be thinking about just how to select the best program to receive your education and training. Naturally the initial step is to locate colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you would like to earn. A number of future students start by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are critical factors when choosing a college, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. You may also choose to look into some accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifications and others that you will need to include when reviewing 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 Tech Training Programs

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially 2 options to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be completed in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Burbank CA pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally takes about 2 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 down the road. Each program can furnish the proper amount 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 all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech colleges opt to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, a number of Burbank CA pharmacies will only hire a tech that is certified. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which can be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Schools Online

Prior to selecting a pharmacist technician online college, it's necessary to understand that most programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Burbank pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to obtain some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken over the internet in your Burbank CA home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, especially for those who keep working while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online programs are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online training may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

After you have determined whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacy technician programs to choose from in the Burbank CA area and throughout the USA, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Burbank home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are many other factors that you need to take into consideration so that you may properly compare schools. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Many pharmacist tech colleges and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a complete superior education. Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you obtain a superior education, it might help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Burbank CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacy technician school needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This requirement may be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of professional experience for certification, which may be fulfilled by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the schools have associations with Burbank CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Securing that first position in Burbank CA upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without some assistance. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Burbank CA home. Those who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep 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 may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician program you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Burbank CA area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Burbank

Choose the Right Burbank Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the best pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a gratifying occupation where helping people with their health is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist technician colleges incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to select a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to compare schools so that you are certain to make the best choice. With the proper education and commitment you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Burbank California.

 

Burbank Pharmacy Technician Certificate | Burbank Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online