Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Burlingame California

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Burlingame CA in order to get the right training to build a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently enroll in the right one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are important concerns when deciding on a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation need to be considered as well. You might also choose to research several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Degrees

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two alternatives to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Burlingame CA pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can furnish the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician programs opt to become certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Burlingame CA employers will only hire 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 candidate be at least 18 years old, 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 applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Classes Online

Before choosing a pharmacy tech online program, it's necessary to understand that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in a local Burlingame pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy tech so as to acquire some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be taken online in your Burlingame CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, particularly for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online programs are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online college you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online instruction might be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

Once you have decided whether you wish to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist technician colleges to choose from in the Burlingame CA area and throughout the Country, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Burlingame home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are many other issues that you must take into consideration so that you may properly compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. In addition to helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Burlingame CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech program needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This requirement can be met by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which can be met by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the colleges have associations with Burlingame CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first position in Burlingame CA after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging endeavor without some assistance. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Burlingame CA residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local 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 may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average teacher to student 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 a chance to talk with several 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 must confirm that the pharmacist tech college you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Burlingame CA area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Burlingame

Enroll in the Best Burlingame Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the ideal pharmacy tech training is an important first step to launching your career in a gratifying profession where helping customers with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacists can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy technician schools include both clinical and classroom training. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the proper training and dedication you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Burlingame California.

 

Burlingame Pharmacy Tech Certificate | Burlingame Pharmacy Technician Schools