Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Burbank California

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Burbank CA in order to receive the proper training to build a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. Usually the first step is to locate schools that offer the degree or certificate that you would like to earn. Many potential students start by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are significant factors when choosing a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers including reputation and accreditation should be considered as well. And if you prefer attending classes in your home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be included in your vetting process. We will address these qualifications and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have many job duties, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Burbank CA pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily services a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Greet and help customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Enter customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, particularly for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is a very satisfying career helping customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two options to becoming a tech regardless if 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 provide an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Burbank CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech schools elect to become certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Additionally, many Burbank CA pharmacies will only employ a tech that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every two years by each program, which may be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Classes Online

Before choosing a pharmacy tech online college, it's necessary to realize that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in an area Burbank pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy technician so as to get some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be taken over the internet in your Burbank CA home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, notably for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online programs are often less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials can be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that any online college you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction may be the ideal solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have determined whether you would like to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacist technician colleges to choose from in the Burbank CA area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Burbank home. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you should consider in order to adequately compare schools. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a comprehensive quality education. Online programs may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it can help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Burbank 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 required in every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician school needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This requirement may be satisfied by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which can be satisfied with an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech 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 satisfy the requirement. Ask if the schools have associations with Burbank CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial position in Burbank CA upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult task without any help. Find out if the colleges you are looking at 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 a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Burbank CA residence. Those 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. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of 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 hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist tech college you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Burbank CA area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Burbank

Choose the Best Burbank Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the ideal pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to starting your career in a gratifying profession where helping customers with their health is your mission. Traditionally, many pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacies can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech schools include both classroom and laboratory work. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to select a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to compare colleges so that you are certain to make the ideal choice. With the right training and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Burbank California.

 

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