Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Select the Best One Near Castro Valley California

Having decided to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Castro Valley CA, you might be thinking about just how to pick the best program to get your education and training. Of course the first step is to find schools that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. A number of future students begin by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are significant factors when choosing a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into account also. You may also want to look into several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address 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 degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Diplomas and Degrees

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially 2 options to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also include an internship at an accepted Castro Valley CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech programs choose to become certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Castro Valley CA employers will only hire 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 candidate be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by each program, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Programs

Prior to selecting a pharmacist technician online college, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in an area Castro Valley pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to get some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed online in your Castro Valley CA home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, especially for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online colleges are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online program you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online instruction might be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have decided whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, 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 numerous pharmacy technician programs to select from in the Castro Valley CA area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Castro Valley residence. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are many other variables that you need to consider so that you may effectively compare colleges. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacy tech colleges and trade 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 certified to offer a complete superior education. Online colleges may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it can help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Castro Valley CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician program 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 entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which may be fulfilled with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech 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 an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the programs have associations with Castro Valley CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Finding that first job in Castro Valley CA upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a daunting endeavor without some support. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they select will have to be within driving distance of their Castro Valley CA residence. Those who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally 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 are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist technician program you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Castro Valley CA area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Castro Valley

Choose the Best Castro Valley Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the ideal pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to launching your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting people with their health is your mission. In the past, most pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech schools 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 prep you for certification. This holds true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate education and commitment you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Castro Valley California.

 

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