Pharmacy Tech School
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Castro Valley California

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Castro Valley CA so you can get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately pick the best one? When looking for pharmacy technician programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are important concerns when choosing a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications including reputation and accreditation must be considered as well. And if you prefer attending classes at home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online program will also be included in your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have numerous job duties, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Castro Valley CA pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can assist customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever give medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily functions a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
• Add prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer techs with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work after hours is a very satisfying career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially 2 options to training to be 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 offer an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Castro Valley CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically takes about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

Certification is not required in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech colleges elect to become certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Also, a number of Castro Valley CA employers will only employ a tech that is certified. There are two 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 a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by each program, which may be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Colleges

Prior to choosing a pharmacy tech online school, it's important to understand that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in a local Castro Valley pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to acquire some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be taken online in your Castro Valley CA home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, notably for those who keep working while attaining their certificate or degree. And online programs are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials may be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online college you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, 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 best option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

Once you have decided whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist tech colleges to select from in the Castro Valley CA area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Castro Valley residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other factors that you must take into consideration so that you may effectively compare schools. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacist technician programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a complete quality education. Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it can help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Castro Valley CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but many employers desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician program should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This qualification can be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires a year of experience for certification, which may be met by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the colleges have a working relationship with Castro Valley CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Finding that initial position in Castro Valley CA upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without any assistance. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance 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 profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they select will need to be within driving distance of their Castro Valley CA residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes naturally 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 keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy technician school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Castro Valley CA area, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Castro Valley

Choose the Best Castro Valley Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the right pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to starting your career in a gratifying occupation where assisting people with their wellness is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech schools include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential 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 make use of our additional tips you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the best choice. With the appropriate education and commitment you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Castro Valley California.

 

Castro Valley Pharmacy Technician Training | Castro Valley Pharmacy Technician Courses