Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Select the Best One Near Chatsworth California

Now that you have decided to attain your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Chatsworth CA, you might be wondering just how to choose the best college to receive your education and training. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately pick the best one? When looking for pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are critical factors when deciding on a school, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. And if you are interested in attending classes at home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have numerous job functions, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Chatsworth CA pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they can assist customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice concerning medications or anything else. All such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily functions a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Greet and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
• Input customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes being required to work off-hours is a very rewarding career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degree Programs

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally two options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Chatsworth CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and can lead 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 decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech schools choose to get certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Chatsworth CA pharmacies will only hire a tech that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requires that the candidate be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every two years by each program, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Colleges Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacy technician online training program, it's important to understand that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is usually satisfied in a local Chatsworth pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to acquire some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed over the internet in your Chatsworth CA home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online colleges are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs for driving and course materials can be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online college you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, 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 training may be the best option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

Once you have determined whether you would like to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy tech schools to select from in the Chatsworth CA area and throughout the United States, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Chatsworth residence. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are several other issues that you must take into consideration in order to adequately compare colleges. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Many pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a complete superior education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Make sure to check that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you obtain a superior education, it can help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Chatsworth CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician school needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This requirement may be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the programs have a working relationship with Chatsworth CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that first position in Chatsworth CA after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some support. 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 indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Chatsworth CA home. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need 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 don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one 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 determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy tech program you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Chatsworth CA area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Chatsworth

Enroll in the Best Chatsworth Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the ideal pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a gratifying occupation where helping customers with their wellness is your objective. Traditionally, many pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech schools incorporate both clinical and classroom work. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to select a program that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to compare colleges so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the appropriate training and determination you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Chatsworth California.

 

Chatsworth Pharmacy Tech Schools Online | Chatsworth Pharmacy Technician Certificate