Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Burbank California

Now it’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Burbank CA in order to get the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately enroll in the best one? A number of prospective students begin by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are important factors when selecting a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications including reputation and accreditation must be evaluated as well. You might also decide to research some accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifications and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 alternatives 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 completed in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Burbank CA pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician colleges choose to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Burbank CA employers will only employ a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 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 only requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Colleges Online

Before choosing a pharmacist tech online college, it's necessary to understand that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in a local Burbank pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy technician in order to receive some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken over the internet in your Burbank CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, especially for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online schools are frequently more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online program you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, 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 might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have determined whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist tech colleges to pick from in the Burbank CA area and throughout the USA, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Burbank residence. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are many other factors that you must take into consideration so that you may adequately compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a complete quality education. Online schools may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it can assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Burbank CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician school needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires a year of experience for certification, which may be fulfilled through an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the programs have a working relationship with Burbank CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that first job in Burbank CA after graduation, especially 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, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Burbank CA residence. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps 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 normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist tech school you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Burbank CA area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol 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 Burbank

Enroll in the Right Burbank Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the best pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a gratifying profession where helping customers with their health is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist tech schools incorporate both clinical and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to select a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are certain to make the best choice. With the appropriate training and commitment you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Burbank California.

 

Burbank Pharmacy Technician Programs | Burbank Pharmacy Technician Classes