Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Claremont California

Having decided to earn your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Claremont CA, you may be thinking about how to select the right school to receive your education and training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently enroll in the ideal one? A number of prospective students start by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are critical factors when deciding on a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation must be evaluated as well. And if you prefer attending classes at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and some others that you will want 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 Tech Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have multiple job duties, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Claremont CA pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may help customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily functions a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Greet and help customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Input prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

As a consequence of their profession, 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 payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work off-hours is an extremely rewarding career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Diplomas and Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 options to becoming a technician 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 present an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Claremont CA pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically requires 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. Either program can provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Choices

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician programs opt to become certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Claremont CA pharmacies will only employ a tech that is certified. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant 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 examination. Recertification is mandated every two years by both programs, which may be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Schools Online

Before deciding on a pharmacist tech online school, it's necessary to understand that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in a local Claremont pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to obtain some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed online in your Claremont CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, particularly for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online college you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online classes may be the right solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

Once you have decided whether you would like to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacy technician schools to choose from in the Claremont CA area and throughout the Country, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Claremont home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are many other issues that you must consider so that you may adequately compare schools. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Many pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among 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 certified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online programs may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program together with the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Along with helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it can assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Claremont CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech college should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This qualification may be satisfied by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which can be satisfied with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Find out if the programs have a working relationship with Claremont CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that first job in Claremont CA after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some help. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Claremont CA residence. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose 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 prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy tech college you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Claremont CA area, verify 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 procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Claremont

Enroll in the Best Claremont Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where helping customers with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacies can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained techs. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy technician programs incorporate both laboratory and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to choose a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the ideal choice. With the right training and commitment you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Claremont California.

 

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